Travel BCD- Scubapro Litehawk Vs. Aqualung Outlaw

[Lriemann]

Hi there,

I'm a beginner diver who's looking for a travel friendly BCD for warm water, up to 30m.
Obviously, I don't need a lot of pockets and I learned to live with a weight belt.

These two models are at the top of my least since both are:
1 Very lightweight and easy to pack small.
2 From well known brands with global service

My insights from my brief time at the shop:
1 The litehawk inflator buttons have a better feel to them.
2 The litehawk buttons are placed next to one another- someone told me this could be a problem in an emergency.
3 The outlaw seems like it's even lighter and packs down smaller.
4 The outlaw is all about fabric replacing plastic and metal rings, for good and bad.

Would appreciate any insight about these two BCD's, both first hand experience and general impressions and potential weak/strong points.

All the best,
Ron

 

[diversteve]

I don't think the inflator buttons are a problem as muscle memory will direct you to the right one once you've used it a while.

I'd want some sort of hard d-ring personally. I use gate snaps and occasionally locking caribiners (that are not locked when I use them) so I want something I can snap against solidly. I think if I went with the outlaw I'd add some sort of permanent metal rings - a site like Tech Diving Limited sells them.

Two others you might look at also - Aqualung's Zuma or Zeagle's new Covert XL. Both roll up to pack small.
It's possible the Outlaw replaces the Zuma now.

I dive Zeagle products - one nice feature is their BX inflator - to flush the bladder you unscrew the inflator and attach a standard garden hose to the exposed fitting.

I've never even seen an Outlaw but have looked at and almost bought a Litehawk more than once. I still might.

 

[noj3333]

Although it wasn't on your list, maybe look at an Oceanic BioLite. I dive one, and I've been very happy with it.

 

[noj3333]

I dive Zeagle products - one nice feature is their BX inflator - to flush the bladder you unscrew the inflator and attach a standard garden hose to the exposed fitting.

That's a really nice feature... I wasn't aware of it. If the OP elects to go in a different direction I'd suggest he picks up one of these...
Amazon.com : Innovative BC Flush Hose with Inflator Adapter : Sports & Outdoors

Works with any BC, and makes flushing the bladder out super easy...

 

[JackD342]

Zuma is still in the line-up. Probably not going away, as the stripped down Outlaw is not for everyone. They are similar weight, once you add the optional Surelock II weight pockets to the Outlaw. Less durable light weight material in Zuma is reason for 2 year warranty instead of Limited Lifetime on all other Aqualung BCDs.

Outlaw does come with an attached plastic carabiner you can snap onto like a metal D ring. Outlaw is modular, with 3 sizes each of back, shoulder straps, and waist band, so you can dial in to your size. If you really want pockets, you can get the Rogue waist band instead. Waist is the only interchangeable component between the two.

Be sure you are okay with lack of right shoulder dump valve on the Outlaw. Though very unlikely, the worst case scenario is ascending vertical while your OOA buddy is on your primary and you are using your Airsource. That is one less option for controlling ascent in a very stressful and awkward situation. If you just visualize the mechanics, maybe practice once or twice, that should not be an issue. If planning to add the optional trim pockets to the cylinder band, the band is lower than many and won’t move the trim weight far from your center of gravity, if at all. A couple of reasons I went with the Rogue instead.

You are a new-ish diver, so be sure you understand difference between jacket style and back inflation in case you have a preference. If you want a jacket travel BCD, Cressi Travelite is an option.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Between the 2, I would go with the Outlaw. I like that the wing is interchangeable and it doesn't have any extra stuff attached to it. The Scubapro has permanently attached pockets (more bulk) and the bungees on the wing could get tangled up in things.

I recommend you also have a look at the TravelPac BCD | Dive Rite For the most part the hardware is stainless steel, it has a doughnut wing and crotch strap,, it has 2 cam bands so your tank is more secure, you can add weight pockets, it packs flat, and it doesn't have any extra stuff attached to it. It appears to more sturdy than the Outlaw.

 

[scubadada]

I quit diving the Outlaw I bought, too many defects, Aqualung Outlaw

 

[JackD342]

I quit diving the Outlaw I bought, too many defects, Aqualung Outlaw

I am curious what defects you are referring to, as I am not aware of any. I just read the whole thread you referenced, and find the usual spectrum of hate it, dislike it, like it, love it. I felt it leaned more to positive than negative reviews. Nothing about an actual defect.

Probably the single biggest issue that is less related to personal preference, is the impossibility of reloading the integrated weight pouches in the water while wearing it. Gotta use your buddy!
I suspect the initial focus for developing the item was divers still the using weight belts, so the Surelock II option feels a bit like a compromise.

 

[scubadada]

I am curious what defects you are referring to, as I am not aware of any. I just read the whole thread you referenced, and find the usual spectrum of hate it, dislike it, like it, love it. I felt it leaned more to positive than negative reviews. Nothing about an actual defect.

Probably the single biggest issue that is less related to personal preference, is the impossibility of reloading the integrated weight pouches in the water while wearing it. Gotta use your buddy!
I suspect the initial focus for developing the item was divers still the using weight belts, so the Surelock II option feels a bit like a compromise.

Perhaps that's related to you being an Aqua Lung dealer. See post # 83 for a summary of my complaints Aqualung Outlaw. I have not dived my Outlaw since December 2017 in Bonaire. I should sell it, complete with added pocket and trim weight holders.

 

[JackD342]

OK, so this will be my last post for my review of the Outlaw. See posts #s 57, 63, 65, 80, and 82. I've dived the Outlaw for a couple hundred dives now and have now dived it with my 3, 5, and 7mm wetsuits with appropriate weight for each. My conclusion is that it is inferior for the breadth of my diving and I have generally gone back to a Scubapro Knighthawk.

I really dislike the weight pockets. They are so far back, vertical, and with an unseen locking mechanism. I have now tried replacing them underwater and it is extremely difficult, if not impossible. This is made all the more difficult if you have more weight in the pockets. The weights are so far back that, with a fair amount of weight, it seems like I'm always being rolled to one side or the other, depending on which side is down, very uncomfortable. The trim weights I added to the tank band only made it worse. I am still paranoid of losing a weight pocket due to the way they release with just a firm pull. The simple Scubapro system is easily replaced underwater and is easily verifiable as locked and secure.

The cloth loops and chains are inferior to several well placed D-rings for easy placement and deployment of accessories.

The rear dump is insensitive and poorly responsive to venting gas. The attachment loop is one problem, but even pulling the line directly is unacceptable. I hate using my inflation hose.

The lack of any storage was a problem, I largely fixed that with a single Dive Rite pocket.

The lightness and minimal profile of this BC was very attractive. I may dive it again in the summer when I have my 3mm wetsuit and a minimal amount of weight. Until then, back to my Knighthawk. It flawlessly carries any amount of weight with good trim. The weight pockets are simple and reliable. The rear dump is excellent. Attachment points are good. It has enough pocket storage.

Live and learn,

Craig

Yep, I sell the Outlaw, and that is why I make the effort to understand what someone is calling a defect. I guess you and I disagree on what that word means in the context of dive equipment. I reread your post on the other thread, and I would still summarize it as dislikes.

And of course you can think and imply what you like, but if you read my comments, including this thread, I think you will see that I usually detail what I both like and dislike about an item, same as when discussing with customers in my store.