I'm looking at purchasing a new back-inflate BC. I'm considering the Oceanic Excursion and Oceanic Outrigger HLT. I've also looked at the Scubapro Knighthawk.
The Excursion and the Knighthawk seem very similar and you can tell they are in direct competition with one another. Two points that give the Excursion a leg up are the built in knife and retractor attachments and the fact that it is made of 1600 denier nylon and the Knighthawk is made of 1000 denier nylon, so it would stand to reason the Excursion would be more durable.
So let's assume I'm not considering the Knighthawk now... I don't like the roll out pocket on the Excursion. I tried it in the store and with a mask on, it is hard to deploy and use the pocket. even without gloves on.
I like the overall design of, pockets and velour padding on the Outrigger, but I basically think the HLT front bladder is a gimmick and is in the way. There are two extra steps involved to fold and attach it to the cumberbund and get ready for the dive. I'm therefore wondering if the HLT bladder can be removed and the Outrigger be used as a normal back-inflate BC?
This 'feature' is what drives the price up almost $100 over the Excursion and it is a shame to just toss it aside, but it is really just a cumbersome sales gimmick in the way on an otherwise excellently designed BCD.
If the Excursion had pockets and velour padding like the Outrigger it would be perfect. Likewise, if the Outrigger had the D-rings and no HLT bladder of the Excursion, it would be perfect.
The Excursion and the Knighthawk seem very similar and you can tell they are in direct competition with one another. Two points that give the Excursion a leg up are the built in knife and retractor attachments and the fact that it is made of 1600 denier nylon and the Knighthawk is made of 1000 denier nylon, so it would stand to reason the Excursion would be more durable.
So let's assume I'm not considering the Knighthawk now... I don't like the roll out pocket on the Excursion. I tried it in the store and with a mask on, it is hard to deploy and use the pocket. even without gloves on.
I like the overall design of, pockets and velour padding on the Outrigger, but I basically think the HLT front bladder is a gimmick and is in the way. There are two extra steps involved to fold and attach it to the cumberbund and get ready for the dive. I'm therefore wondering if the HLT bladder can be removed and the Outrigger be used as a normal back-inflate BC?
This 'feature' is what drives the price up almost $100 over the Excursion and it is a shame to just toss it aside, but it is really just a cumbersome sales gimmick in the way on an otherwise excellently designed BCD.
If the Excursion had pockets and velour padding like the Outrigger it would be perfect. Likewise, if the Outrigger had the D-rings and no HLT bladder of the Excursion, it would be perfect.