The great travel BC topic

[Boogie711]

Thank you Scubaroo - who will obviously know more about dry weight of these things since he has to get them shipped in to Australia.

 

[herman]

I've said it before, Harley, but it's worth repeating - NOTHING, and I mean nothing, packs up as small and light as a backplate and wing.

I defy anyone to produce a package that takes up less space and is lighter than an aluminum backplate and something like a Halcyon 27 wing. Lay them flat on the bottom of your suitcase - total weight, 2 pounds, total thickness, maybe 1.5 inches.

I will take that bet, my Zeagle Scout. It weights 3 1/2 lbs and folds up flat. Your plate may weigh 2 lbs but how about the harness, D-rings, buckle, weight belt and wing?? It's a guess but I bet it's in the 4 - 4 1/2 lb range. Lets not forget about your weight belt, another 1/2 lb or so ..my Scout has an intergrated weight system. Oh yea, the weights of my BC are actual WEIGHED values, not guesses. And at $220 on line, the cost is less than any new BP/wing I am aware of.. Got you beat on weight and cost and tied on thickness. :54:

Harley, take a look at the Zeagel Scout if you want a light weight travel BC. It should meet your needs. It's small, light, well made and fairly inexpensive at $220.

 

[TostitoBandito]

I will take that bet, my Zeagle Scout. It weights 3 1/2 lbs and folds up flat. Your plate may weigh 2 lbs but how about the harness, D-rings, buckle, weight belt and wing?? It's a guess but I bet it's in the 4 - 4 1/2 lb range. Lets not forget about your weight belt, another 1/2 lb or so ..my Scout has an intergrated weight system. Oh yea, the weights of my BC are actual WEIGHED values, not guesses. And at $220 on line, the cost is less than any new BP/wing I am aware of.. Got you beat on weight and cost and tied on thickness. :54:

Harley, take a look at the Zeagel Scout if you want a light weight travel BC. It should meet your needs. It's small, light, well made and fairly inexpensive at $220.

In my opinion, the escape is a superior model, for a small difference in price. It can't possibly weigh much more (if any) and it has releasable integrated weights, which the scout doesn't (that's a biggie). Otherwise they are basically identical.

 

[Boogie711]

Herman - my GUTS aluminum backplate, with D-rings, harness, keepers, etc. and an Oxycheq 45 lb wing weigh just about bang on 4lbs. This is according to the postal scale I keep in my office. Sadly, you are correct - I just dismantled my cold-water rig for the express purpose of weighing it. I need to get out and dive.

Anyway, I would think that an 18lb wing from Oxycheq weighs considerably less than their 45.

That being said, as far as BC's go (if you insist on an inferior system, IMHO) I have no doubt Zeagle makes great stuff. Again, though - I kind of feel it's like comparing a bicycle to a Ferrari - both will get you there, but...

 

[herman]

In my opinion, the escape is a superior model, for a small difference in price. It can't possibly weigh much more (if any) and it has releasable integrated weights, which the scout doesn't (that's a biggie). Otherwise they are basically identical.

I agree, I would guess the weight difference is 1 to 1 1/2 lbs, not enough to break the deal. The Scout actually does have a sort of intergrated weight system. It has 2 dumpable pouches on the rear, basically trim pouches with quick releases. They will not hold nearly as much as Zeagle claims (30 lbs if I remember correctly)and at the same time keep acceptable trim. Any thing over 10 lbs and I start to turtle. Not a problem for me as I only use 6-8 in warm saltwater. If I were choosing between the two for my only BC I would go with the Escape as well. I already had a good BC for heavier duty so the Scout worked well for my needs.

 

[Jack Cummins]

Have you looked at any of the new 'roll up' travel BCDs? An example can be found here: www.triple-l.biz/aquarius.htm.

 

[Boogie711]

Jack, a) - that's a jacket BC, not back inflate, and b) I would think it HAS to be bulkier than a bp/wing or one of these aforementioned Zeagles.

 

[nwdiver2]

The Escape bladder on my Concept II Pro harness. I bought the extra bladder for travel and switch it out when I go on the road. The rest of the harness is setup the way I like it. It is the same as the Escape with rip cord harness not velcro pockets.

 

[6Gill]

Just for kicks, I just took a side pic of my Oxycheq 45 lb wing. Obviously, an 18lb travel wing or a Halcyon 27 is even smaller... and before anyone says something, I'm in the process of moving all my stuff, hence the mess.

Take a look.

To be fair...isn't there a harness that you need to use with it? If so, it takes room too! :54:

 

[Boogie711]

Um - yes, and there's also a backplate that's normally attached to it as well... I don't understand what point you're trying to make? Besides - it's not like a harness is a big, bulky padded monster - it's a few yards of flat 2" nylon webbing. I could roll it up and stick it in my pocket.

??????