The great travel BC topic

[ZoCrowes255]

jerzeedivr once bubbled...
Any recomendations for a BC weight integrated for Travel that is not Back Plate/Wing for the wife and I.

I recently picked up a Scubapro Knighthawk so far like it a lot. I've only been able to use it twice in the pool but so far I think it's an excellent peice of equipment. Rear inflation, weight integrated, excellent lift capacity (M/47,) and very durable. I've found it to be very easy to pack as well. The only thing I've found to be easier is my Scubapro classic. You just fold it over and lay it in.

 

[brizzolatti]

I have just got a Cressi Aqua Light. Only used it in the pool so far but it felt good. I was wondering what the soft back would be like but it feels absolutely fine. This is the first BC I have bought and it is great compared with ill-fitting rental ones. I'm looking forward to trying it out for real when I go to Tobago in the summer. Will report back then!

 

[Conor]

add me to the TPII list

 

[Gator Diver]

I am open water certified within the last 2 months.
I live in Florida and plan to do predominantly single tank
spring diving, and shallow ocean dives (under 90 feet).
I would also like to do some traveling to the
Caribbean for diving. Can someone suggest
a back inflation BC that would handle this (and I can take
when I travel)
I am considering one of the Zeagles or a Seaquest
at this point. Some said the Ranger would be too
bulky for travel. Thanks.

 

[Craigus]

Hi, Newbie!
Welcome to the wonderful world under the surface. Best wishes for a happy, long and safe diving life! We live in Alaska, so we travel to dive destinations a lot. Like many other divers, if we're gonna take our gear along, we just grin and pack it. It's bulky, but compactness in travel just wasn't a consideratin when we bought our BC's. We have SeaQuest Balances and love 'em! But, we bought them because of the fit, function, comfort, utility and our dive styles. The Balance may take up a bit less space as opposed to a full vest, but, we never really thought about it. I'd suggest just buying the BC that you like the best (you already are looking at a winner with the Balance) and lugging it along on your trips. BTW, we opted for SeaQuest's Air Source instead of an octopus. You might think about it - or wait until you've been diving for a while and then consider it - depending upon whether you're thinking about buying reg's at this point.
Happy diving!
Eric.

 

[Bob]

Newbie,
The Ranger is bulky as compared to what? I make at least one trip per year to the Carribean or elsewhere and guess what I take? My Ranger. The Ranger isn't to large to pack and travel with. I have no experience with a Balance, but I can tell you the Ranger is a great BC. You won't go wrong if you select the Zeagle. Dive safely. :tree: Bob

 

[sumguy]

I have a Ranger and my dive buddy has a Balance. I would go with the Balance. Not only does it pack much smaller, but it is more streamlined underwater. My Ranger has been a good BC, but if I had it to do over again, I would have bought something else.

 

[Wendy]

An aluminum backplate, harness and singel tank wing? Can't much less bulky than that, and since you are in Florida there are several shops that can help you with this.

Where in Florida are you?

 

[PurduEE]

on more than one occassion. I have a Ranger and an Escape because I don't really like to travel with the Ranger unless I would need it. The escape is significantly smaller when packing and still has a lot of the ranger features (back inflate, ripcord weight integration) as well as trim weight and a lumbar pad (which I added to my Ranger - standard on Ranger LTD).

However, if I had money for only 1 BC, I would buy a Ranger over anything else (that's just my opinion). I don't dive doubles, I don't do tech, cave, etc... I had the money to buy a second BC and chose to try to solve the packing bulk of the BC but keep some of the features I liked about the Ranger - Escape fit the bill, but it's not as nice a BC to dive with as the Ranger....

In terms of travel, I am thinking of picking up one of the BPs that oxycheq is selling now:
http://www.oxycheq.com/backplates.html
Tell me that travel BP doesn't look SWEET! (granted, it would be for a very limited type of diving, but talk about packing light....)

 

[caveseeker7]

There is always a ($$$) titanium backplate.

The Ranger is a pretty bulky BC as it's made from 1050 dnier thread and has 44lbs of lift. More comparable to the balance are the Zeagle Scout (non-weight integrated) or Escape (either with pull-out velcro flapped weights or Zeagle's Ripcord system). The Scout is the smallest and lightest of the bunch, as it also lacks the cummerbund. Lift for either Zeagle is 24lbs. or 25lbs. (44lbs. and 65lbs. will fit, though). Either one dives well, quality and customer service at Zeagle is great.

Never tried the Seaquest, a friend has and likes it a lot. Bought it for travelling and usues it now all the time.