Two specific questions about the Aqualung Zuma

[Umuntu]

Rob
The dss bp/w has a built in single tank adapter. One other thing I like about them is that you can just pull the wing off the plate for packing. Oh and another thing I always forget about my switch from the zuma is how much faster it dries out for packing at the end of each trip. There is just a feeling I have about the dss bp/w when I use it that is like, “this is how it should be, everything you need and nothing you don’t” easy to service the inflator too.

I’ve been criticized on this forum for being a fanboy that should be more humble but it’s hard not to like this gear. Good luck with your decision. Shopping for new gear is it’s own reward.

If you noticed that the OP is in the Netherlands you would begin to realise just how ridiculously expensive your DSS fanboy suggestion (compared to locally available brands) would be after international shipping, VAT, customs and handling charges.

 

[rhwestfall]

@Diver0001 - What about an OxyCheq "Dog Bone" plate? I use one and an 18# (Argonaut Dive) or 23# (HOG) wing and a somewhat "standard" harness (well, actually, I went crazy and made my own H-harness) for a travel rig. Wings I use have integral stabilizers, and OxyCheq wings do too (many have now adopted). I add XS Scuba weight pouches to waist and cam bands when needed to ballast as desired. Cheap...

YMMV

 

[Damselfish]

I was looking at the Zuma when I was in the market for a new BC a few years ago, with travel in mind. It was the tank attachment that nixed it for me, because the design makes the tank position pretty much fixed, and I couldn't lower the tank to where I needed to not hit my head. I'm usually good at coming up with creative modifications for stuff, but I didn't see any good way to fix this. In general it seemed a hard BC to tweak in general, and I'm a tweaker. (I wound up with a Zeagle Express Tech. I was on the fence between that and a SP Litehawk, but I was offered such a good deal on the Zeagle I went with that.)

I usually find the combo of no hard pack and only one (real) strap just doesn't feel good. With 2 straps the tank can provide the structure, with one not so much.

 

[Diving Dubai]

@Diver0001

Just to confuse you more. I have a hotch potch setup. I use a Diverite voyager wing nailed to an Apex SS plate (my "winter" rig). I dive either 15l steels (my own for personal diving) or Al 80 for Con Ed courses. I have no STA and I get no tank roll with either. You can (and I do have one in my bits box) an OMS soft STA if you feel the need.

I like Apex Wings, but they didn't have the availability here when I was in search of a new one.

My wife has a 30lb frog indigo wing on an Al plate which she loves and is good for 12l steels. She's had it for 5 years, 400 dive and it's stood up to the harsh climate of intense heat, UV and high salinity that we deal with here. It's a UK brand.

My Axiom BCD which I use for teaching OW, while not a pure back inflate does handle nicely. I've fun dived it with 15l steels. The side's bladders only inflate when the back is full and I think it'd be fine for travel too (I do prefer my wings though) I find it comfortable and pretty robust)

I an (and have) dived it as accurately as my wings - that is holding trim and accurate deco stops. I rarely use the side integrated weight pockets. My dive weights go in the rear trims. I only use a weight belt for demo and will carry extras in the side pockets.

Anyhow just my input

 

[charlier]

I'm considering buying one of these as an option for an upcoming trip. My current BCD is far too bulky and far too heavy to be of any use for dive travel. I like the look of this BCD and it seems to have all of the main features I want

My questions are both related to that.

1) if you have ACTUAL experience with this BCD, please tell me how you found the stability of the tank grip
2) can a second cam-band be added to this BCD or are you stuck with this the way it is?

Thanks in advance for any input.

I only scanned the posts, but I will add my two cents (or euros). My wife has almost 450 dives on her Zuma. Mostly in current-rich Indonesia. She really likes her BCD. The cam band has never come loose, with back rolls, giant strides, and roller-coaster swells. My wife might add a second pocket to the BCD. She likes the simple attachement and back inflate.

Recently on a Raja Ampat LoB, I noticed that three other divers (all with 1000+ dives) were using a Zuma. We were in moderate to strong currents and no one had any issues with the Zuma. The three divers needed to keep their travel weight down, since they had a lot of photographic equipment. One diver from Ireland uses a BP/W in the north Atlantic, but really likes her Zuma for SE Asia diving. No one had issues with loose cam bands. FYI, I use a BP/W, for what its worth.

 

[charlier]

One comment on tank placement. After a bit of fiddling, my wife decided to move her tank upwards a bit. It was not an issue. FYI, make sure that the upper strap is not too tight, so the back of the vest is parallel to the tank.

 

[Dave Kay]

We are locate at 420 Taylorsville Beach Ct., Taylorsville, North Carolina. In this picture, I have highlighted the tank stabilizer.

View attachment 437381

Hi, I dont see the stabilizer, I though it was a plate you place on the tank to keep it cinched down from the back, Im new to the whole bp/w thing. What are you pointing to here? thanks

 

[Umuntu]

Hi, I dont see the stabilizer, I though it was a plate you place on the tank to keep it cinched down from the back, Im new to the whole bp/w thing. What are you pointing to here? thanks

Its a strip of webbing with a small cylindrical plastic rod stitched in on each side.
The rods help to centre the tank and stop it from shifting when cam strapped in.

 

[Umuntu]

Mares make some great kit, but they over-brand their stuff, particularly their harness systems and hardware.
I don't like being anyone's billboard.

Business 101, Advertise, Advertise, Advertise. But I understand why you feel that way.

@Lake Hickory Scuba ... get your Mares rep to show you the new Mares "Red Devil" Limited Edition Harness, backplate and Wing ...

 

[Lake Hickory Scuba]

@Lake Hickory Scuba ... get your Mares rep to show you the new Mares "Red Devil" Limited Edition Harness, backplate and Wing ...

Saw it at DEMA. It’s a very limited run.