Travel BCD advice

[AspWP]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a travel BCD, doing a lot of backpacking and diving around SEA mostly. (Occasionally I also dive locally in Europe) I am looking for BCD that packs well. My top picks so far were XDeep Zen with aluminium backplate or ghost. My LDS recommends ghost as they find single layer bladder more streamlined (no idea how true is that). I was also looking at hydros pro as apparently it dries fast. Not sure how much of an issue is that with XDeep rigs. So far I only do rec diving, no idea if I move to tech yet. Could anyone provide a hand with choice based on their experience?

 

[MidOH]

Any aluminum or titanium backplate. I use an STA for travel. Get nice plastic nuts instead of standard wing nuts.

Don't forget that hardware has significant weight. Use Al and plastic.

My single tank rig has to have a shoulder inflator hose. Not centered. Prefer centered for doubles.

I use the DGX wing with a Pirahna or Helium plate.

 

[rongoodman]

I think I’d carry my mask, computer, exposure protection if it was light, maybe fins. I'd rent the BC, and regs on site. I take my SS BP/W on my dive trips, along with everything else except lead and tanks, but I'm not going to carry it all around in a pack when I get there.

 

[AspWP]

I think I’d carry my mask, computer, exposure protection if it was light, maybe fins. I'd rent the BC, and regs on site. I take my SS BP/W on my dive trips, along with everything else except lead and tanks, but I'm not going to carry it all around in a pack when I get there.

its dive oriented trip, will basically carry the stuff only to get to the next dive place.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a travel BCD, doing a lot of backpacking and diving around SEA mostly. (Occasionally I also dive locally in Europe) I am looking for BCD that packs well.

I would look at the Dive Rite Hydro Lite BCD. It has a soft backplate, so it will pack better than a rigid metal backplate. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite

 

[happy-diver]

G'day Jak sie masz

Could anyone provide a hand

Just a quick hand on the confusion that is the English Language brat

Grammar 101: Advice vs. Advise Australia

Get to know the difference between advice and advise. These are commonly confused words, but it's easy to get it right. Check out Advice vs Advise.

ielts.com.au

And if you're in Poland you have to buy TECHLINE man in STAINLESS STEEL man for hard wearing

SINGLE TANK CONFIGURATION - Teclinediving

Tecline single tank configuration - your guide to build a personalized equipment configuration for your recreational dives.

teclinediving.eu

 

[Outbound]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a travel BCD, doing a lot of backpacking and diving around SEA mostly. (Occasionally I also dive locally in Europe) I am looking for BCD that packs well. My top picks so far were XDeep Zen with aluminium backplate or ghost. My LDS recommends ghost as they find single layer bladder more streamlined (no idea how true is that). I was also looking at hydros pro as apparently it dries fast. Not sure how much of an issue is that with XDeep rigs. So far I only do rec diving, no idea if I move to tech yet. Could anyone provide a hand with choice based on their experience?

In addition to a lightweight BPW with an aluminum plate, you could also look at the Aqualung Rogue. It weighs about 2 kgs and it can be easily disassembled so that it packs completely flat. You can opt to not use integrated weight pockets and instead wear a weight belt, saving you a little more travel weight and space in your backpack. Or, if you're like me and don't need much weight, just add trim pockets.

The Hydros Pro is a great BCD and it rolls up nicely, but it's on the heavier side to pack.

 

[waxrash]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a travel BCD, doing a lot of backpacking and diving around SEA mostly. (Occasionally I also dive locally in Europe) I am looking for BCD that packs well. My top picks so far were XDeep Zen with aluminium backplate or ghost. My LDS recommends ghost as they find single layer bladder more streamlined (no idea how true is that). I was also looking at hydros pro as apparently it dries fast. Not sure how much of an issue is that with XDeep rigs. So far I only do rec diving, no idea if I move to tech yet. Could anyone provide a hand with choice based on their experience?

I have three family members using the Scubapro LiteHawk. Some of the older models had the plastic backpack, but the newer ones have no back pack at all. I tried one in a pool. This thing feels like nothing at all, dries super quick. They love them. Now if you want lots of snaps and buckles, integrated weights, etc maybe not for you. It will fit in less than half the space of most BCs.

Note you can add integrated weights, but I would honestly worry about the wear on the bc carrying it around with no rigid structure. We just took the standard pockets and inverted them to hold weights. This works up to about 8# of weight, otherwise you are either going to need a pocket system or wear a belt.

While I love integrated weights, pocket systems are bulky, and many hold water.

FWIW.

 

[Big Dan K]

The soft pack LiteHawk is stable, comfortable and well made. The cargo pockets will hold 5 pounds each. There are also trim pockets between the bladder and soft pack that hold at least 3 pounds.

 

[AspWP]

G'day Jak sie masz



Just a quick hand on the confusion that is the English Language brat

Grammar 101: Advice vs. Advise Australia

Get to know the difference between advice and advise. These are commonly confused words, but it's easy to get it right. Check out Advice vs Advise.

ielts.com.au

And if you're in Poland you have to buy TECHLINE man in STAINLESS STEEL man for hard wearing

SINGLE TANK CONFIGURATION - Teclinediving

Tecline single tank configuration - your guide to build a personalized equipment configuration for your recreational dives.

teclinediving.eu

Dobrze

I don't dive much in Poland, just occasionally to not forget the drill. Thanks for the advise

I would look at the Dive Rite Hydro Lite BCD. It has a soft backplate, so it will pack better than a rigid metal backplate. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite

Will take a look, thanks!

In addition to a lightweight BPW with an aluminum plate, you could also look at the Aqualung Rogue. It weighs about 2 kgs and it can be easily disassembled so that it packs completely flat. You can opt to not use integrated weight pockets and instead wear a weight belt, saving you a little more travel weight and space in your backpack. Or, if you're like me and don't need much weight, just add trim pockets.

The Hydros Pro is a great BCD and it rolls up nicely, but it's on the heavier side to pack.

Weight doesn't bother me, just space. I don't use much lead especially in warm water, will look it up!

I have three family members using the Scubapro LiteHawk. Some of the older models had the plastic backpack, but the newer ones have no back pack at all. I tried one in a pool. This thing feels like nothing at all, dries super quick. They love them. Now if you want lots of snaps and buckles, integrated weights, etc maybe not for you. It will fit in less than half the space of most BCs.

Note you can add integrated weights, but I would honestly worry about the wear on the bc carrying it around with no rigid structure. We just took the standard pockets and inverted them to hold weights. This works up to about 8# of weight, otherwise you are either going to need a pocket system or wear a belt.

While I love integrated weights, pocket systems are bulky, and many hold water.

FWIW.

Snaps, buckles and customization is what i want from BCD, thats why i'm leaning towards bp/w. Altho will take a look at this one as well, thanks