Best BCD for "Light" and "Penny-Pinching" Travelers.

[caribdiver]

How about some ideas/suggestions on a BCD for both my wife and myself (XL and XS). We are looking for BCDs that meet three criteria:

 

1. Travel well: don't weigh much and fold up small.

 

2. Aren't expensive: basic BCD; no bells and whistles wanted.

 

3. Have a good rep for durability.

 

We only make a dozen or so dives a year and we only plan to dive clear, warm, salty water; and mostly on cruises. (no more caves, quarries and muddy cold lakes! Ha!).

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and your help!

[BearJT]

How about some ideas/suggestions on a BCD for both my wife and myself (XL and XS). We are looking for BCDs that meet three criteria:

 

1. Travel well: don't weigh much and fold up small.

 

2. Aren't expensive: basic BCD; no bells and whistles wanted.

 

3. Have a good rep for durability.

 

We only make a dozen or so dives a year and we only plan to dive clear, warm, salty water; and mostly on cruises. (no more caves, quarries and muddy cold lakes! Ha!).

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and your help!

 

One of the mags, Skin Diver I think, just did a report on basic BCDs. The "winners" were around $300+, as in "Less is More". :D

[cmdchiefthom]

You might check out the Aeris Reefrider as a great lightweight BC. My wife uses one when we travel and she just loves it, and I don't mind carrying it.;)

[WesW]

CD, pls see the link below; 11 featherweight BC's

 

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/traveling_light/

 

Recommend Sea Quest passport, 5lb+, scored highest in packability--has its own mesh pocket to "fold the bcd up small"

 

good luck,

 

r/wes

[techdiver]

I use a Zeagle Escape, got it after the back plate got broken in transit on the BC I was using. Since it has no backplate I have no more worries.