Travel friendly BCD - Oceanic Biolite vs Aqua Lung Rogue

[Divin' Viking]

After having been through numerous threads in here that touch upon the similar topic, I still find myself very much in doubt about what BCD to buy..... Thus, all help needed

Here are the criteria/ thoughts to guide:
- Wing BCD
- No BP/W (sorry guys... just not ready for that yet)
- Doesnt need to be a travel BCD, but to be travel friendly.
- Dive 95% on travels to warm water (like Maldives), but would also like to be able to use it in colder waters (not dry suit though)
- Would like to have a few pockets, and trim pockets

My three favorite ones are:
- Oceanic Biolite (true travel BCD, with minimalistic setup)
- Aqua Lung Rogue
- Zeagle Stiletto (originally my favorite, however unsure how travel friendly it really is)

Others that I have been looking at, but somehow decided to skip was
- Scubapro Hydros Pro (too much of a fully fledged BCD, not travel friendly)
- Apeks Black ICE (a bit the same, and no need for dual tank)

All input highly appreaciated

 

[Brian G]

Do you want integrated weight pockets, or are you planning on using a weight belt.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Divin' Viking

I ended up being pretty disappointed in the Aqua Lung Outaw except in a very warm environment, minimal exposure protection and minimal weight. See post #83 Aqualung Outlaw Maybe the Rogue is better. I particularly dislike the removable weight pockets. The rear dump is not great either.

 

[Dogbowl]

After having been through numerous threads in here that touch upon the similar topic, I still find myself very much in doubt about what BCD to buy..... Thus, all help needed

Here are the criteria/ thoughts to guide:
- Wing BCD
- No BP/W (sorry guys... just not ready for that yet)
- Doesnt need to be a travel BCD, but to be travel friendly.
- Dive 95% on travels to warm water (like Maldives), but would also like to be able to use it in colder waters (not dry suit though)
- Would like to have a few pockets, and trim pockets

My three favorite ones are:
- Oceanic Biolite (true travel BCD, with minimalistic setup)
- Aqua Lung Rogue
- Zeagle Stiletto (originally my favorite, however unsure how travel friendly it really is)

Others that I have been looking at, but somehow decided to skip was
- Scubapro Hydros Pro (too much of a fully fledged BCD, not travel friendly)
- Apeks Black ICE (a bit the same, and no need for dual tank)

All input highly appreaciated

I am able to comment on the Oceanic Biolite. Yes, this is a true travel BCD. It has 2 weight pockets on the waist and 2 weight pockets on the tank cam strap. It’s very comfortable and steady in the water. The only downside is that it doesn’t have storage pockets, but most back inflate travel friendly BCDs do not. I recommend it as a travel BCD.

 

[Divin' Viking]

Thanks to all of you, really appreciated!

Let me catch up with the questions above.
- I would like to get rid of weight belt, i.e. integrated weight pockets. However, is not a fan of fancy "quick drag" solution, e.g. as Aqua Lung often use. Thus a more simply system like zips/click.
- Would also like 1-2 pockets for storage (ideally)

 

[Brian G]

You might want to check out the Scubapro Litehawk as well. It is very similar to the Biolite and Rogue. Zeagle makes the Express Tech Deluxe which can be ordered with their ziptouch weight system which takes bare weights instead of a special insert. The Express Tech is close to a BP/W, so if you like the idea of a BP/W but don't want to go through piecing it together then that might work for you. I don't think any of these have accessory pockets so you will have to add those if you want them.

 

[John Bortle]

Of all the BCDs on your list,the Stiletto is everything you are looking for. It travels well,has pockets and plenty of weight holding capacity and also has plenty of lift. On top of that,it's built like a tank but is still pretty light for all of its features.

 

[scubadada]

Of all the BCDs on your list,the Stiletto is everything you are looking for. It travels well,has pockets and plenty of weight holding capacity and also has plenty of lift. On top of that,it's built like a tank but is still pretty light for all of its features.

What do you think of the ripcord weight system? For some activities, it is necessary to remove weights at the end of the dive and hand them up to the tender. This was true for nearly all my dives in the Red Sea, and all dives in Cocos and Galapagos. Then, how about replacing them in the BC? I have not used them myself but have heard discussion by others.

 

[Bubbles McGee]

I've found the scubapro hydros pro to be very travel friendly. The amount of stuff you can fit in the small backpack is crazy. I can't comment on the others.

 

[John Bortle]

What do you think of the ripcord weight system? For some activities, it is necessary to remove weights at the end of the dive and hand them up to the tender. This was true for nearly all my dives in the Red Sea, and all dives in Cocos and Galapagos. Then, how about replacing them in the BC? I have not used them myself but have heard discussion by others.

I have the internal pouches that go inside the ripcord pouches. They are mesh and have large tabs sewn into them so removal and replacement of weights are very simple. I've never had to actually ditch weights while in the water but I watched the video on rethreading the ripcord and then practiced it a bunch of times.