Aqualung Outlaw

[Father]

That sounds like a lot of weight for all of those plastic attachment points. I'd be concerned about that thing coming apart with all that weight.
It looks a lot more like it's designed for traveling and using a standard AL80.
I like the idea of the 12# bladder.
Curious what the weigh pockets look like. The websites and videos don't go into much detail on those.

 

[Diving Dubai]

That sounds like a lot of weight for all of those plastic attachment points. I'd be concerned about that thing coming apart with all that weight.
It looks a lot more like it's designed for traveling and using a standard AL80.
I like the idea of the 12# bladder.
Curious what the weigh pockets look like. The websites and videos don't go into much detail on those.

So I have an Axiom that I brought for teaching OW rather than use my BP/W in the pool and expose them to chlorine etc. Given it'll use similar materials as the Outlaw - these are my impressions

I can happily dive it with Steel HP120 in the sea and it feels robust and not flimsy at all

The trim pockets are as sturdy as any of the after market versions I have on my wings

I do like the tank strap' its fast to adjust - if I'm switching from steels to Ali 80's for instance its much quicker and easier than standard cam bands

While as yet I haven't had any weight in the integrated weight pockets, a few on my fellow instructors have AL products and haven't had any problems.

I'm glad to see they've put standard plastic clips on the harness, previously they used a clip that had a round circle you pressed which wasn't obvious at first glance.

Personally it wouldn't be for me, because I want pockets for teaching materials etc. Apart from that, I think it will be a nice BCD - pure wings can look a bit offputting and uncomfortable for someone with no experience of them so i wish AL well with the product.

 

[ams511]

What other mfr has a 12 lb wing or bcd ?

DSS used to make a small capacity wing for "monkey diving", apart from that their 17 lb wing is the smallest I have seen.

A Zeagle Express Tech (there is a huge thread on this) is similar in concept to this, however the smallest bladder is 24 lb. But, the people that have used the Outlaw in this thread are using the larger bladder. I haven't done the math, but a 12 lb bladder seems suitable for someone that dives with little weight, uses a Al 80, dives with a skin or lava core.

At least this is a step in the right direction, from manufacturers marketing a warm water travel BC with 50 lbs of lift.

 

[gobyrider]

Love the outlaw!! Very cool! I did 3 really nice dives at the casino yesterday with a couple advanced students. These guys were using Dimension i3 with air sources installed....and me...in an outlaw. It was truly both sides of a recreational consumer line spectrum. I was wearing my polar tech hyperstrech undergarment so packed a little extra lead into my surelock pouches. These pouches ride toward the back of your sides while you dive and are well out of the way. Nothing in front of you and the padded shoulder straps feel great in comparison to webbing and far more minimal than standard bcd straps. The pivot motion made self donning before entry super easy with a huge range of adjustment in the arm openings. I never like snagging zipseals on my second arm opening when self donning a bcd from a table top or ledge. Was a little concerned about the down facing surelock pouches but upon inspection I would rip the BCD in half before I could pull these out accidentally (two finger pulling the grey handles and your weights will intentionally release though!). I let the drysuit squeeze a bit to see if the bladder inflated evenly underwater and to see how it trimmed out. Great positioning and the air didn't try to accumulate on the inflators side (like with some bcds). Promptly fed the bcd air to the ocean and lofted my fleece. Noticed immediately how streamlined the outlaw made me in comparison to my good ol balance I usually dive with. The bladder pulls in nice and tight. All in all it's exactly what I hoped it would be. A middle ground between a webbing harness and my back inflate bcd. Very comfy and had no problem with tank wobbling. Didn't feel like a travel bcd but would be spectacular for that. This is my new Boat and Casino point rig. The range of motion you have underwater is the same or better that a continuous weave harness with the comfort of a nice padded jacket. Nothing cumbersome in front, beside, or behind you while diving! Cons...my wife was like "more dive gear?"

 

[gobyrider]

That sounds like a lot of weight for all of those plastic attachment points. I'd be concerned about that thing coming apart with all that weight.
It looks a lot more like it's designed for traveling and using a standard AL80.
I like the idea of the 12# bladder.
Curious what the weigh pockets look like. The websites and videos don't go into much detail on those.

I'll post a couple of shots of those weight pockets when I'm washing my gear this afternoon! This thing was sound! No worries about coming apart.

 

[Dogbowl]

They market this bcd to experienced divers...any reason why a beginner couldn't use it? If they buy the 25lbs lift and use it in warm waters only?

 

[scubadada]

@gobyrider, thanks for the review, among the first. Did you use the trim weight pockets also, or only the SureLock system? Did you attach anything to the soft webbing, how was that?

 

[scubadada]

I'll post a couple of shots of those weight pockets when I'm washing my gear this afternoon! This thing was sound! No worries about coming apart.

The position of the weight pockets does not bother me. These are vertical on the surface, pointing down, horizontal while you're diving. Most weight pockets are horizontal on the surface and vertical, pointing down while you are diving. As long as the connector is solid, I would not be concerned. I've been using a Scubapro Knighthawk for more than 11 years/1200 dives and have never lost a weight pocket on the surface or in the water.

 

[gobyrider]

@gobyrider, thanks for the review, among the first. Did you use the trim weight pockets also, or only the SureLock system? Did you attach anything to the soft webbing, how was that?

It's one or the other when it comes to the weight system (trims or surelocks). I did attach my aluminum carabiner to the webbing for fins on exit. I dig it!

 

[wader]

For those that bought one, may I ask what you paid for it? Did you get it at your LDS? Accessories?? Thanks