Inherent Buoyancy of Express Tech

[gstrek]

What is the inherent salt water buoyancy of the Express Tech BCD Standard harness, 24 lbs. wing with ZIpTouch weight pocket but no additional pads (no backpad or shoulder pads)? I have not yet purchased but am considering this as a tropical, travel BCD. Currently, I am using a 10 year old Seaquest Pro QD (about 5 pound buoyant) and would like to estimate how much weight I will need if/when I change to the Zeagle Express Tech.

Thank you,
Gary

 

[herman]

Pretty much none. I dive it with no weights in fresh water and 4 in salt, exactly what I use with an old hard plastic back. This is assuming you get all the air out of the bladder. I have 3- 2 in SS Drings added to the harness.

Welcome to the board.

 

[gstrek]

Excellent, thanks Herman. I should be able to drop my weight by 5 pounds then. My plan is to split the remaining weight with 2 pounds on the tank band and 2 ditchable (add 4 pounds if wearing 3 mil suit).

New this year is a replacement for my Oly 5050: an Oly E-PL1, YS-01 strobe and Oly housing. I've read this is a little positive so will have to see how to compensate for that.

I am a long time SB lurker but new contributor!
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Gary

 

[The Chairman]

I love my Express Tech and part of that is because there is no extra padding. You can add it, but why?

 

[gstrek]

Exactly. All I plan on adding are SS d-rings. No padding wanted or needed. I am looking for compactness for travel and streamlined for diving.

---
Gary

 

[herman]

I need to take photos of this but I added a very simple weight system to mine for use if you don't need much weight and don't mind it not being ditchable. Since I don't use but 4 lbs (2x2) I am confortable with that much non ditchable weights. I cut 2 lengths of weight belt material (or left over from cutting the waist strap) and threaded it through a 2lb weight. I layed this down on the backplate, marked where the 2 lower grometed holes were and with a soldering iron melted 2 opening in the webbing. I use 4 of the standard Zeagle sexbolts to attach each end of the webbing to the back plate with the weight. Now I can attach 2 lb weights to each side of the backplate. While I was making mine, I used a piece of webbing that was a little extra long and marked a second set of holes in one end that would allow room for 4lb weights. I now have the choice of using weights anywhere from 1 to 4 lbs (on each side). Or a total on board weight range of 0 to 8 lbs which almost covers all of my wet diving. No weight belt or system needed and one less thing to travel with.

 

[gstrek]

Clever! This will also be used for a new diver (daughter) so I want ditchable weights for her at least.

I've installed an Aqualung SOS sausage to the dump valve of my Seaquest ProQD. Not sure but I expect these are standard screw on dump valves on the bottom. I wouldn't mind trying to jerry rig that to the Express Tech. If that doesn't work, I'll use something more along the lines of a Quicklink.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have 1 xs scuba weight pocket on each camband. Throw a 3 pounder in each and I now have my BPW setup. Put a 2 in each and it is perfect for freshwater or pool with my polartech and a steel 72. With this the only inherent buoyancy is my own bioprene!

 

[The Chairman]

My initial report can be found here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...h-first-last-bc-most-will-ever-need-want.html

 

[gstrek]

It was NetDoc's review that got me interested in it!