"Travel" BCD?

[TravelDave]

Considering looking for a BCD that travels well. My existing one sucks up a lot of space in my bag and lacks any kind of pockets. Key things I'm looking for:

- weight integrated
- comfortable
- pockets
- enough D rings

I don't get to dive as much as I'd like, so my preference is to not spend too much $$$ on another BCD. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[mobeeno]

Check this link out
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...h-first-last-bc-most-will-ever-need-want.html

 

[tbone1004]

Enough D-Rings for what?
SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Sidemount, Rebreather, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - TravelPac BCD
That's not bad, but I prefer the Transpac with a Travel wing. Thing packs into almost nothing, has "enough" D-rings. Two on each shoulder one on each side of the waist. Plenty for just about anything. If you get a crotch strap, which makes everything better you get another one on the front of the crotch strap and another on the back.

 

[herman]

The questions I have are what do you need all the Drings and pockets for? If you are diving in warm locations weights are not a big deal, a weight belt or some simple pockets on the cam bands will do fine. I added a simple home made intergrated weight system to my Zeagle ET that is good for 8-10 lbs. If you need more than that a good weight check is in order. There is really not much you need to carry in a pocket for WW travel but again you can add a simple one to the waist band of the BC. Drings, maybe 3 at most and those can be added to the 2 BCs suggested.

 

[Crush]

1. weight integrated

Often weight-integrated means hard reinforced plastic pockets and hard pull-out weight retainers. This adds to the bulk of your BC. If bulk is a consideration you may find that weight pockets on your cam straps and/or a weight belt will make your kit more compact.

2. comfortable

Comfort on land is what most people investigate in their LDS. Comfort in the water is more important IMHO.

3. pockets

I used to be a fan of pockets on my BC. Now I am a fan of pockets on my x-shorts (see: Highland by XS-Scuba 2mm Super Stretch Neoprene Pocket Shorts )

4. enough D rings

Fair enough.

 

[TravelDave]

Enough really means at least a few. My first BC had next to nothing. I'm not overloaded with accessories, but like to be able to clip a light (at times) and safety sausage at a minimum.

Don't need a huge amount of pocket space, but some is nice. Could arguably add on a pocket to some being discussed.

As always - thanks to all for the input.

 

[The Chairman]

I was going to suggest Zeagle's Express Tech but someone already posted a link to my review: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...h-first-last-bc-most-will-ever-need-want.html

 

[Woodiver]

Another vote for the Tech Express. It comes with a number of plastic D-rings which can easily be swapped out for SS, if you want and you can add a pocket to the waist band webbing for a place to stash a light or safety sausage. I’ve been diving a Ranger for the past ten years, way too large to pack for travel and too much inherent buoyancy. The ET packs well, is rock solid underwater (much better than the Ranger IMHO) and doesn’t have the inherent buoyancy of the Ranger.

 

[coralcruiser]

I used to use a transpac with my mach v but have just switched over to the oxycheq ultralite plate with my mach v. My harness is a transplate and I have xs scuba wieght pockets on my tank and another set on my waistband. I can add as many d-rings as I need. Don't have a pocket but can easily add one whenver I want to. Depending on which tank bands I use, the heaviest part of my rig is the wing.

However, if you want to check out light wieght, travel integrated bc's then (in no particular order), investigate these: Zuma, Cressi Air Travel and Oceanic Biolite.

 

[PSVADivers]

My wife and I both have Zumas, they've added some d-rings to the latest model. Only have a couple hrs in them so far, but no issues. Only problem I've run into is that I have a long torso and a small waist so the Medium fit my waist, but had to go to the Large to get straps that worked out (chest strap on the Medium hit me in the adams apple). Puts the weight a little far forward with the waistband shortened up for my 30in waist, but hasn't proven to be a problem in the water so far.