What the Heck do I buy?

[Griffo]

I like the Simply Scuba reviews, they tend to call out BS add-ons when they exist.

Naturally id suggest a BPW but it looks like a pretty decent back inflate BCD

 

[MiloR]

That is a great video, and I enjoyed many of their others but I had a hard time getting past his hair!! What is up with that, lol??

 

[chillyinCanada]

That is a great video, and I enjoyed many of their others but I had a hard time getting past his hair!! What is up with that, lol??

He's got "scuba hair, don't care"

 

[EireDiver606]

Hey OP, just get a wing and backplate setup, it’s weird at the beginning but it’s much more enjoyable to dive with in the long run.

I highly recommend Halcyon, XDEEP, DIRzone, but there are other great alternatives on your side of the pond. Just get a standard wing setup and it’ll still be fine for traveling, with an aluminium plate.

 

[lowlysubaruguy]

Apex in my opinion is a great BPW/travel package you can strip that thing down to tank strap and harness under 3 pounds if you want or put all the pieces back on it for a fully padded aluminum or SS BPW

My wife has one I like it a lot. And its way to small for me. Can’t imagine how Much i would like it if it was the right size for me and I dive with a Halcyon if you want to know what I’m comparing it to. If I were to buy a strictly travel BCD it would be an Apex.

It wont come in as a budget purchase but I’m not sure I can fit budget into any of my diving events any way.

 

[Kialn]

CAUTION for the Aqualung Rogue - NEVER BUY A BCD WITH PLASTIC PIECES!! I bought this BCD in 2018, just finished a dive trip a week ago. I had only about 35 dives on it, and on the last dive my weight pocket fell off during the dive! I started to involuntarily ascend, thank god I was near a bottom surface and not on a wall (where it could never be retrieved) and that someone was close to me and grabbed it quickly!! This was a life-threatening situation. I thought the BCD was cool because you could take it apart and it was lightweight for travel, but the weight pockets are held on by plastic tabs that fatigue easily!! Upon inspection, the tab (that that weight pocket clicks into), is so fatigued that it's about to break off, again after 35 dives! The tab on other side that holds the other weight pocket is also fatigued and I'm sure would've failed soon. I took a lot of care with the BCD - never stored it with the weights in between dives. I would never let anyone I know dive with this BCD.

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

I have an Outlaw. Put about 50 dives on it. It's nice and I liked it much more the Zeagle Stiletto I was using before.

Biggest complaint was lack of D rings, I'm not so sure how well it will hold up over time either (i.e. plastic parts already mentioned).

I ended up going with an Apex SS Backplate with an 18 pound wing. Very travel friendly and allows me to dive without lead in tropical locals. I'm 100% satisfied.

You could consider an aluminum backplate with same setup if you dont mind putting some weights on tank straps or wear a belt.

 

[athigunk]

What does the type of bcd have to do with photography?

Back inflation BCs tend to be more stable once you are in a horizontal trim compared to jacket style BCs, which is what you want when you shoot photos/videos. When you have some air on the sides, it is easier to shake a little bit sideways. I agree with you that skill matters, but equipment also has a great impact as well.

To answer the OPs questions, I would recommend DGX BP/W system (Aluminum plate for travel) for BC. For regulator, If you want it light you can go Apeks XL4, or if it is harder to find/expensive in your area you can go Deep6.

 

[happy-diver]

Hey mate!

Where on earth did you read that bologna

 

[Centrals]

To maintain a horizontal trim is NOT that difficult with jacket style bc.
Too many divers are carrying more than necessary additional weight in one place especially around the waist.

DGX BP/Wset up is very good and really do not see the point to purchase an travel bc for travelling.
Your money your choice.