Travel friendly AND cold water BCD? Any suggestion?

[SangP]

Just joined this site after reading some good tips on dive gear.

I am going on a liveboard this Sunday and just learned that they charge $15/day for a BCD so I am shopping for one!

I am trying to find a BCD that I can use everywhere, that means a BCD that is lighweight & travel friendly but that you can also use in colder water. Basically, a BCD that is really compact and that you can pack in your bag when you island hop on a turboprop with limited luggage allowance but that you can also use in places like Galapagos, California or Cocos (I don't dive in places like British Columbia, etc... too cold).

Would a Zeagle Tech or Zuma make the cut? Or what other models would you suggest?

Thanks,
Eric

PS: I am 5'5" and weight 135lbs if this can help

I really like the express tech and if you didn't go the route of a bp/w that would be be my next choice. I would make some alterations like swapping out the standard wing for a 35lbs retractable or a doughnut wing.

Next I would add a crotch strap.

Alternatively, I would consider these other bcds:
scubapro seahawk
Scubapro geo
zeagle scout
Aqualung balance.

SangP

 

[reefduffer]

I use an Oceanic Islander (size medium). It's a bit modified; backpad removed, and cummerbund replaced by a 2" web belt & ss buckle to further reduce bulk. Most of my diving is travel/warm water, but I use the same BC for what SoCal diving I do, in a 9/7/6 wetsuit.

Lift capacity is 26 lbs. Integrated weight capacity maxes out at 14 dumpable and another 10 in the tank band pouches. I don't currently use 24 lbs, but I have done so in the past, and with soft weights they will fit.

I really like it for travel, it folds up very compact and reasonably light, check the specs for yourself. And it works for my cold water needs.

 

[DevonDiver]

I just want to make some observations about these recommendations....

If you don't want a BP/W, try a Zeagle Stiletto.... Note ........you will need to tip the crew more because they have to lift the fully weighted BC out of the water.

:shocked2: Hardly ideal for cold water diving then! Forced to remove the jacket in rough seas?!? That is not a characteristic of a good cold water diving BCD.

You may also want to look into the Zeagle Express Tech with a 36# wing......able to handle warm and cold diving as long as you do not need a lot of weight in the cold water.

Obviously cold water divers never require more weight :shocked2: Why is the system not flexible enough to cope with different weighting demands? That is the whole point of the OPs question.... is it lightweight for travel, yet good for warm and cold water? The answer seems to be "no".

I really like the express tech and if you didn't go the route of a bp/w that would be be my next choice. I would make some alterations like swapping out the standard wing for a 35lbs retractable or a doughnut wing. Next I would add a crotch strap.

It needs alterations? Why not just go for the BP&W.... it doesn't need alterations to perform well. :shocked2:

I use an Oceanic Islander (size medium). It's a bit modified; backpad removed, and cummerbund replaced by a 2" web belt & ss buckle to further reduce bulk........

It needs modifications? Why not just go for the BP&W.... it doesn't need modifications to perform well. :shocked2:

 

[merxlin]

I just want to make some observations about these recommendations....

Originally Posted by merxlin
If you don't want a BP/W, try a Zeagle Stiletto.... Note ........you will need to tip the crew more because they have to lift the fully weighted BC out of the water.

:shocked2: Hardly ideal for cold water diving then! Forced to remove the jacket in rough seas?!? That is not a characteristic of a good cold water diving BCD.

I'm not sure what you are saying. In an emergency you can still ditch weights, and Zeagle does make pouches that will keep the weights together. It is no different than any other weight integrated BC except it does not have removable weight pockets. That does make a difference in a situation where you need to remove, but not ditch your weights, such a panga diving where you typically take your weights out (or remove a weight belt) before removing and handing up your BC. I'm also not sure why that makes any difference cold or warm water. Care to elaborate?

 

[DevonDiver]

.... you typically take your weights out (or remove a weight belt) before removing and handing up your BC. I'm also not sure why that makes any difference cold or warm water. Care to elaborate?

By not having removeable weights, the design forces you to remove your entire buoyancy support at the surface - as you have to pass the entire rig up to the boat.

Not sure what you mean by 'panga diving'... but in regards to small boat diving, it is often necessary to remove the weights in order to enter the boat, due to difficulty of access. This is also true for people with disabilities/impairments, that may prefer to remove and pass up weights prior to climbing a boat ladder etc.

Removing and passing up weights is one thing. You no longer need the weights (end of dive), but you do still need the buoyancy. Especially in rough seas. Yes, your exposure suit will still keep you positive... but in bad weather or for prolonged periods it won't keep you comfortably face up and safe.

Removing your entire BCD is a different proposition. Divers should never aim to do this unless absolutely necessary. Maybe it is unavoidable on small boats like RIBs (or panga?). However, in any other circumstance, it would mean you were deprived of your buoyancy simply because of the 'not so clever' over-complicated design of the BCD.

 

[SangP]

It needs alterations? Why not just go for the BP&W.... it doesn't need alterations to perform well. :shocked2:

Not completely true, my bp/w too has the the same modifications of the hoses.

With my sm setup the modifications are even more radical for a perfect fit.

SangP

 

[merxlin]

By not having removeable weights, the design forces you to remove your entire buoyancy support at the surface - as you have to pass the entire rig up to the boat.

Not sure what you mean by 'panga diving'... but in regards to small boat diving, it is often necessary to remove the weights in order to enter the boat, due to difficulty of access. This is also true for people with disabilities/impairments, that may prefer to remove and pass up weights prior to climbing a boat ladder etc.

Removing and passing up weights is one thing. You no longer need the weights (end of dive), but you do still need the buoyancy. Especially in rough seas. Yes, your exposure suit will still keep you positive... but in bad weather or for prolonged periods it won't keep you comfortably face up and safe.

Removing your entire BCD is a different proposition. Divers should never aim to do this unless absolutely necessary. Maybe it is unavoidable on small boats like RIBs (or panga?). However, in any other circumstance, it would mean you were deprived of your buoyancy simply because of the 'not so clever' over-complicated design of the BCD.

Yes I was referring to RIB's (pangas). Just got back from the Galapagos so panga is stuck in my head. Yes it is more inconvenient if you need to remove the entire BC and hand it up. However, I see no situation, other than an emergency that would have me without it for prolonged periods. In that case I dump the weights and keep the bouyancy.

You are obviously pro BP/W and that is OK (I even started my post with "If you do not want a BP/W"), but there are other options.

 

[cheeko8080]

the zeagle express tech did the job nicely for me in Galapagos a couple months ago...packed small and pretty light...the one thing about it is that despite the appearance of easy assembly and tear down I honestly felt like it was not a setup that I would opt to tear down in the future for packing purposes due to the time (and care) of reassembling.

 

[ScubaJW]

I used to have a jacket BCD and back-inflated BCD (Zeagle Ranger). I now have bp/w. I notice the difference between Ranger and bp/w (with 6lbs SS plate) - Ranger is heavier and bulkier than my bp/w! I would suggest bp/w setup due to its size which is perfect for traveling. I would also suggest AL or plastic plate if you want it lighter.

 

[c5diver]

the removeable pouches for the zeagle are cheap and nice. they came with my ranger and are one of the best weight systems i have used yet