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The
farther a diver travels to reach a dive site, the more emphasis is placed on
packing light and tight. This is especially true when the travel involves
airline flights;and even more so when the flights require changing airplanes.
Often, in these situations, divers will carry vital dive equipment in
carry-on luggage, to ensure this gear arrives at the destination along with
them.
One of the most vital items of dive equipment is the buoyancy compensator. It
is also one of the most user-familiar. After diving with your favorite BC for
a long time, you know just how to adjust it for the best fit. You can reach
all the pockets, buckles and accessories without looking. The trick is to have
a favorite BC that will fit into a carry-on;or at least take up minimum space
in a suitcase.
The BCs shown and briefly described on these pages range from
ultra-lightweight, low profile models to those that would make a tek diver
smile. Some are more basic; some have a host of advanced features. While some
of these BCs are more carry-on suitable than others, they all share an
emphasis on reduced weight and bulk, and all can be packed into minimal space
when fully deflated.
Many of the features will be nearly the same from one model to another.
Often, the differences are only in size, color and arrangement. Still, there
are several important points to consider: 1,000, 840 or 420 denier nylon
construction; modular or integrated design; back or wrap-around flotation;
double bag or bladderless air cell; hard or softpack; single or dual tank
bands; the amount and location of padding; the number and placement of
adjustments; integrated weights; sizes/lift; pockets and accessories; and, of
course, price.
TRAVEL BC MANUFACTURERS
Aqua-Lung (U.S. Divers)
3323 West Warner Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 540-8010; (714) 432-9340 (fax)
E-mail: tecinfousd@usdivers.com
www.usdivers.com
Beuchat U.S.A.
677 SW First Street
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 463-0035; (954) 978-1207 (fax)
E-mail: beuchatusa@worldnet.att.net
Dacor Corporation
161 Northfield Road
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 446-9555; (847) 446-7547 (fax)
www.divedacor.com
Genesis Scuba
3300 South Congress Avenue, Suite 8
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
(561) 733-4005; (561) 733-4007 (fax)
www.genesisscuba.com
Mares America
Shore Pointe, One Selleck Street
Norwalk, CT 06855
(800) 874-3236; (800) 253-8509 (fax)
www.aspsport.com
Oceanic U.S.A.
2002 Davis Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 562-0500; (510) 569-5404 (fax)
E-mail: oceanic@oceanicusa.com
www.oceanicusa.com
Scubapro U.S.A.
1166-A Fesler Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 402-1614
(619) 402-1664 (fax)
www.jwa.com
Sea Quest
2151 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 438-1101; (760) 438-3142 (fax)
www.sea-quest.com
Sherwood Scuba
2111 Liberty Drive
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
(888) 507-2822; (888) 477-7282 (fax)
www.sherwoodscuba.com
TUSA
2380 Mira Mar Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 498-3708; (562) 498-0415 (fax)
E-mail: TUSA@gte.net
Zeagle systems, inc.
37150 Chancey Road
Zephyrhills, FL 33541
(813) 782-5568; (813) 782-5569 (fax)
E-mail: info@zeagle.com
www.zeagle.com
SEA QUEST EXPLORER
Sea Quests Explorer is made of 420 denier nylon. The back of its single bladder,
integrated, wrap-around air cell is Dynalastic stretch fabric. The
collapsible backpack is padded and has a lumbar support. There is one
collapsible tank band plus a second stabilizing band. The padded, adjustable
shoulder straps are very low profile and the cummerbund has elastic panels to
maintain a good fit at any depth. Two pockets accommodate the quick-release
weight modules (six pounds each), as shown here, or can be used to hold other
items. The power/manual inflator has an overpressure/ dump where it meets the
shoulder and there is a second on the back. There are three plastic D-rings,
an accessory clip and clip-on hose guide. Sizes/lift (pounds) are: XS/17,
SM/17, M/22, ML/22, L/29, XL/29. The Explorer is available in black and has a
suggested retail price of $395.
MARES SYNCRO LX
The lightweight Syncro LX, from Mares, has a streamlined cut, is made of
tough 420 denier nylon and has a single bladder, integrated, wrap-around air
chamber. The detachable hardpack is small yet, combined with the padded
cummerbund, offers comfortable tank support. With one collapsible tank band,
the BC packs flat. The wide, padded shoulders have adjustable, quick-release
buckles; another quick-release buckle secures the front of the BC over the
cummerbund. The power/manual inflator has an overpressure/dump valve where it
attaches to the shoulder and theres another on the back of the BC. There is
one pocket, four plastic D-rings, a whistle and a clip-on hose guide.
Sizes/lift (pounds) are: XS/28.6, S/30.8, M/37.4, L/39.6, XL/46.2. The BC is
available in black/gray/yellow or black/gray/red and has a suggested retail
price of $324.95.
SHERWOOD ACHIEVA
The Achieva, from Sherwood, is made of 420 denier nylon and has an
integrated, single bladder, wrap-around air cell. The removable hardpack has
one collapsible tank band and a tank locator strap. The cummerbund slides
through guides at the waist so the front panels of the BC can move. The
shoulder straps have adjustable, quick-release buckles. The power/manual
inflator has one overpressure/dump valve where it attaches to the left
shoulder and theres a second on the back of the BC. There are two pockets, a
key clip, two plastic and two stainless D-rings and an accessory clip. The
Achieva is available in black/ graphite/blue, black/purple/green, black/blue/
purple or black/yellow. Sizes/lift (pounds) are: XS/12, S/17, M/24, L/30,
XL/35. The Achieva has a suggested retail price of $330.
TUSA IMPREX BB
The Imprex BB, from TUSA, has a removable, single bladder, back inflation air
cell with 420 denier nylon on the front and 840 on the back. The harness is
420 denier nylon. The wings of the air cell attach to the shoulder straps via
sliding guides. The flexible backpack has one collapsible tank band and a
stabilizing band. There are two quick-release integrated weight pouches on
the bottom of the air cell (eight pounds each) and two non-releaseable weight
pockets on the wings. The inflator has an overpressure/dump valve at the
shoulder attachment; there is a second on the right wing. There are two
accessory pockets on the cummerbund and the front of the BC secures with a
quick-release buckle. There are two plastic D-rings. Sizes/lift (pounds) are:
XS-S/28, M-ML/33, L-XL/38. The Imprex BB is available in black with blue,
green, pink or charcoal and has a suggested retail price of $458.
AQUA-LUNG CRUISE
The lightweight Cruise, from Aqua-Lung, has a 420 denier nylon exterior with
a single bladder, wrap-around air cell; a contoured hardpack with one
collapsible tank band, a stabilizing band and a nylon carry strap; and two
large pockets. The backpack and inside of the cummerbund are padded with
nylon II neoprene. The small manual/power inflator connects to an
overpressure/ dump on the left shoulder; there is a second on the back of the
BC. The padded shoulders have adjustable, quick-release buckles. There are
four plastic D-rings and two swiveling hose clips. Sizes/lift (pounds) are:
XS/15, S/19, M/25, L/30, XL/34. The Cruise is available in black/blue,
black/pink or black/yellow and has a suggested retail price of $450.
GENESIS NOMAD
The Nomad, from Genesis, is an ultra-light, super low profile BC that will
lie nearly flat when deflated. Made of 420 denier nylon, its open design
allows tremendous freedom of movement. The Nomad has an integrated, single
bladder back inflation cell lined with polyurethane. The reinforced yet
flexible backpack has two collapsible tank bands and a thick backpad. The
touch-fastener closing cummerbund has elastic tensioners built in to
accommodate wetsuit squeeze at depth. The reinforced, padded shoulder straps
have adjustable, quick-release buckles and the cummerbund overlap secures
with an adjustable, quick-release buckle.There is a large pocket on the front
of the cummerbund with a built-in retractor that can be clipped to the gauge
console. The inflator offers power/manual inflation and an overpressure/dump
where its hose attaches to the shoulder. A second overpressure/dump is on the
lower right back of the BC. The Nomads sizes/lift (pounds) are: XS/25, S/25,
M/31, L/39 and XL/44. It is available in black, black/pink or black/blue and
the suggested retail price is $330.
OCEANIC TOUR
Oceanics Tour has an integrated, backmounted inflation chamber with dual air
cells made of stretchy Bioflex, which allows for larger volumes of lift while
maintaining its low profile design. The Adjustable Positioning System has
slide-clamps where the shoulder straps attach to the waistband, so the straps
can be positioned for individual comfort. The shoulder straps have adjustable
quick-release buckles and are thickly padded, as are the contoured hardback
and inside of the waistband. The expandable cummerbund has an adjustable,
quick-release buckle that secures over that. Another adjustable,
quick-release buckle secures the shoulder straps across the chest. A
power/manual inflator, two overpressure/dump valves, two expandable pockets,
plus two plastic and two stainless D-rings complete the package. Weight
integration is optional. The Tour is available in black or black/blue. Sizes/lift
(pounds) are: XS-S/30, M-L/40, XL-XXL/40. The Tour has a suggested retail
price of $399.95.
ZEAGLE EXPRESS
Made of 420 denier nylon, the Express, from Zeagle, has a removable, black
inflation air cell with an inner bladder of polyurethane and an outer bag of
full or partial elastic mesh (offering 32 or 24 pounds of buoyancy,
respectively). Two quick-release weight pockets (10 pounds each) are under
the air cell. The softpack has two tank bands. The shoulder straps have
adjustable quick-release buckles; a quick-release buckle holds them together.
The length of the harness is adjustable. The power/manual inflator has an
overpressure/dump valve where it attaches to the top of the air cell; there
is a second one on the lower left front of the air cell. The removable
cummerbund has elastic panels. A nylon webbing strap with a quick-release
buckle surrounds the cummerbund. There are two pockets and four plastic
D-rings. Available in XS, S, M, L and XL, the Express is blue/black and has a
suggested retail price of $502.50 or $513 (half mesh or full mesh bladder).
BEUCHAT EQUALIZER
The Master Lift Equalizer, from Beuchat, is made of 840 denier nylon and has
an integrated, single bladder, wrap-around air cell. Its hardpack has one
collapsible tank band plus a stabilizing band. There is an
overpressure/dump valve on each shoulder (the left is opened by pulling on
the inflator hose). The height of the cummerbund is adjustable. An outer,
nylon webbing strap encircles the cummerbund, closing with a quick-release buckle.
The shoulder straps have adjustable, quick-release buckles. There are two
large pockets that close via removable touch-fastener flaps. This allows the
diver to purchase flaps with various color accents and interchange them.
There are four D-rings and a swiveling hose guide. Sizes/lift (pounds) are:
S/16, M/23, L/23. The Master Lift Equalizer has a suggested retail price of
$349.
DACOR FLYT PAK
Dacors Flyt Pak is made of 420 denier nylon. It has a padded, flexible
backpack and two collapsible tank bands, integrated with a backmounted air
cell and a reinforced cummerbund. The padded shoulder straps have adjustable,
quick-release buckles; another quick-release buckle secures over the
cummerbund. Two quick-release weight pouches on the cummerbund hold up to 18
pounds each. A small pocket is also on the cummerbund. The double bladder air
cell is covered with elastic mesh on the back and offers 55 pounds of lift.
The power/manual inflator has an overpressure/dump valve where it attaches to
the shoulder and theres another on the back of the BC. There are four
stainless D-rings and two quick-release accessory fittings. Available in
black, in S, M, L, XL or XXL, the Flyt Pak has a suggested retail price of
$460.
SCUBAPRO X TEK
The X Tek from Scubapro has a removable back inflation air cell with a
polyurethane bladder surrounded by elastic mesh. The power/manual inflator
and two overpressure/dump valves are incorporated into the bladder. The
harness is 1,000 denier Cordura. It has a flexible backpack and twin
collapsible tank bands. The shoulder straps have adjustable quick-release
buckles; an adjustable quick-release buckle keeps them together. The waist
secures with a nylon strap and buckle. Optional quick-release, integrated
weight pouches (20 or 32 pounds each) can be attached to the waist in place
of the pocket. The black BC is available in harness sizes of S, M, L and XL
and five air cells are available, ranging from the Travtek, at 27 pounds of
lift, to the Supertek, at 128. X Tek harness, $199.50; Travtek air cell,
$245.50 (w/o inflator); weight pocket system, $90.
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