Reef-Rider vs 5 Oceans

[SCOTTGEDDIE]

I haven't tried the oceans 5, but as many have stated, for the price, i think the quality is really there on the reef rider, i tried buying one for my wife, but i haven't found a medium for her yet, it does have 2 easy access pockets, and travels well, i think it's 6.5 pounds and folds, and the fit is great!

 

[Thomthumb]

I have both the Reef Rider and the Oceans 5. To me the difference is the pockets and attachment points. I like to carry things like No Fog and a knife that won't scare away a Great White. Folding pocket knives work just as good as a 12" blade when I am cutting fishing string. The Oceans 5 is lighter and more travel friendly. I added key rings to the knife holder mounts so I attach the retractors for my SPG and flashlight.

 

[Rockhead]

I've got a Reef Rider and I like it. Pockets are easy to find/open and close. Back inflate is awesome- feels like you aren't wearing a BCD at all. You put some of your weight in the non-dumping pockets on the tank band and it works fine on the surface.
Not thrilled with the plastic D rings, but it is light and very packable. Plenty of places to mount clips/retractors, etc...

 

[divewithjay]

I agree with Rockhead, I've found that some weight in the tank trim pockets gets rid of the tendency to make you float face down.

 

[SCOTTGEDDIE]

I have a reef rider, it has 2 pockets, and the weights are dumpable through the bootom of the pouches with a clip on each side. I like the bc very well, and paid low dollars for it!

 

[Thomthumb]

Just back from my trip to Cozumel. The BC worked great. But in comparison to the Reef Rider, I like the Reef Rider more. I really need the pockets and the D rings that the RR has. For Drift diving, I carry my own safety sausage and I had to attach it to the plastic D ring on the right side weight pocket. I had to pull the rt side of the Oceans 5 forward so I could reach the sausage. I also added O rings (round key ring holders) to the knife holder holes. This was for attaching anything that I wanted to carry. Definitely like the RR more.

 

[Thomthumb]

I could not find where to edit my last post. I definitely will keep the Oceans 5 as a backup BC. It is that good now that it is configured to what I need.

 

[Swheeler25]

Just back from my trip to Cozumel. The BC worked great. But in comparison to the Reef Rider, I like the Reef Rider more. I really need the pockets and the D rings that the RR has. For Drift diving, I carry my own safety sausage and I had to attach it to the plastic D ring on the right side weight pocket. I had to pull the rt side of the Oceans 5 forward so I could reach the sausage. I also added O rings (round key ring holders) to the knife holder holes. This was for attaching anything that I wanted to carry. Definitely like the RR more.

Thom, do you have a picture of these "key rings" that you rigged to the knife grommets. I'm curious to see how you attached your retractors to it?

 

[Thomthumb]

Sorry I don't have pix. I just opened up the key rings and put them on the knife mounting holes,(try to get brass it won't rust). I attached another caribeaner(sp) to the cloth on the right shoulder to attach my light on a retractor.
I have seen another Oceans 5 bc with an aeris weight pouch (just like one from a tank band) attached to the belly band and it seemed to work real well.

 

[Michael Folise]

Reef Rider is a great BC. Best features, back inflation. Two good usable pockets. Large enough for a small housed camera. Just a little weight, one pund each side on the tank band and you float upright at the surface. Packs well, etc. Plastice D rings are a little funky but once you get it set up the way you want a non-issue. Can be had (at one time) for a fabulous close out price. Now sold as Oceanic Islander at twice the price?