Favorite Back Inflate BC under $700?

[Keith.M]

I dive a BP/W now for quite a while, but I do like my original BC as well. The Oceanic Excursion II http://www.leisurepro.com/p-ocne2/oceanic-excursion-2-bcd-black

Oceanic has now redesigned it and it seems like they are copying the SP Nighthawk. The wing on the one I listed is a wing, the newer model now incorporates the wing into the shoulder harness, a bad move in my opinion.

Because they have a newer model out, the older model as you can see is a very cheap, $370.00

That is a great deal for a very nice back inflate BC

 

[Ghetto Diver]

Oceanic Excursion...very durable and affordable. The bladder is a stretchy material so it reduces drag, staying at reduced size until deployed [I do a lot of long shore dives.]
http://www.leisurepro.com/p-ocne2/oceanic-excursion-2-bcd-black
I have the Lighthawk as well. Prefer the Oceanic.
I also have BP/W, but use that for doubles exclusively.



ETA : DOH, didn't see Keith's post

 

[BertStevens]

Take a look at the Dive Rive Travel Pac

 

[tbone1004]

@BertStevens good rig, but I think the Hunterpac is better overall

 

[RainPilot]

I have one of these for students, been very happy with it. SUPER lightweight but still pretty rugged
Oceanic Biolite Travel BC

 

[diversteve]

I'd look hard at Zeagle products also if they're available to you. Most of their back inflate line is 1000 denier fabric so pretty heavy duty. Although so is the Seahawk and it has bigger pockets for stowing tools etc. as well. The GlideX appears to be all 420denier so lighter weight for travel but not as durable when you brush up against the coral.

Or the Express Tech also since there's a variety of Zeagle/non-Zeagle pockets that will work since the bottom straps consist of just a long length plus a buckle. It's almost a bp/w except the backplate is soft. I don't suppose you need a lot of exposure protection in Guam - I've tried a steel plate in a t-shirt and it's not something I'd want to do for a long time - especially on long surface carries if you do those there.

Also all the Zeagles have two real tank straps. The Seahawk has one plus a top retaining strap. IDK what the GlideX uses.

For diving where you do you can add pockets to a Lighthawk also. And they're $250 new (2013 model) on Leisurepro also. Probably at your local dealer also if you have one. http://www.leisurepro.com/p-scplth/scubapro-litehawk-bc-black

 

[AdivingBel]

The Zeagle Stiletto is pretty much bullet proof. I put 200 dives on mine before I passed it on to my wife. She loves it. I couldn't pry her out of it if I wanted it back.

 

[RainPilot]

The Zeagles are definitely some of the best out there, wife had a Zena while I used the Ranger back before we shifted to sidemount. 13 years of heavy use and still look new

 

[Altamira]

I have a Zeagle Covert which a great, very comfortable travel bcd, under 4 pounds with integrated weight pockets that really don't add much bulk or weight. I think it would be pretty durable for daily use too, but probably not as durable as an aluminum/steel bp. One great feature of the Zeagle is that you can unscrew the inflater valve and hook a standard hose fitting on the inflator hose and quickly/thoroughly rinse out the bladder. Until I used it I thought it was just a gimmick--but it is a great feature.

 

[Centrals]

US$299.00 for a complete set of DGX BP/W. Free shipping.