Diverite vs SPro Hydro vs AL Outlaw vs Helios ?

[stuartv]

Haha, it took me reading through the website many times, and asking questions here as well to figure out exactly what is the difference between all the bcd's out there. I did consider the Scubapro Hydros Pro because it is new and fancy, so I went into the store to try it. It is quite HEAVY! But I was comparing it with the super light Oceanic Biolite (approx. 5.5 lbs), so it was a big difference. And the monoprene material makes it very difficult to pack because it cannot pack flat like a BP/W. It is very bulky.

Did you look at it with the "regular" waist belt removed and the travel waist belt (which comes with it) installed?

With the travel waist belt, it seemed to me like it would pack pretty well and was not especially heavy.

 

[Dogbowl]

Did you look at it with the "regular" waist belt removed and the travel waist belt (which comes with it) installed?

With the travel waist belt, it seemed to me like it would pack pretty well and was not especially heavy.

Well in that case, there would be no weight pockets and I’d have to wear a weight belt? This is more of a question than answer cause it’s been a while now since I’ve looked at it and cut it from my shortlist.

 

[admikar]

1. When I look through website or sizing chart, most brands concern about body size rather than body weight. However, I doubt how can I know if that size fit perfectly and lifting would be enough? As for my issue, it may be just me that have problem with my thought that lifting wasn't enough. Since somebody that use xs size can be either heavier or lighter than me.

When you look at BCD (brand is not important for this), if it's jacket style or back inflate, it will say size (regarding body size) and lift capacity (regarding weight it can support underwater). SEE POINT 2.

2. What are the capacity of 25lb or 35lb wing? How to measure it's lifting capacity though? I really confuse, how do people know their weight underwater, or they just concern the weight on ground ?

Capacity of any BCD is the same as it says. If it says it's capacity is 25 lb, that means it can support 25 lb of "in water" weight. Every object displace some amount of liquid, therefore it's weight is reduced by the weight of displaced liquid. You don't need to know your body weight or your weight underwater, you need to know how much buoyancy you can loose (that is your "in water weight" and that is weight BCD has to support. There are a lot of threads here that explain how to find your buoyancy loss from suit compression (since that's the only thing with buoyancy swing).

3. What are add-weight counted. Like you mentioned above, things I bring with me doesn't really matter. Does the "10lb extra weight" only count for weights belt? I'm just curious because my friend weights 54kg (which means her body is heavier than me) and she uses 4 weights on her waist belt. When my body weight is just 51kg and 2 weights on belt (which mean my weight on ground is a bit lightier than her). But then I carry camera when she doesn't but in water, the camera is a bit negative so our weight should be equal somehow? But her float is way too positive though. Or my thought just confused me :/

Since you're looking for BCD with exact capacity, that means it has to support your buoyancy loss and any other equipment you carry with you. You need to differentiate body weight and buoyancy.

 

[AquaBreath]

There are a lot of threads here that explain how to find your buoyancy loss from suit compression

Never thought buying new equipment would need a lot more research like this lol I'll keep digging for more info. Thank you

 

[stuartv]

Well in that case, there would be no weight pockets and I’d have to wear a weight belt? This is more of a question than answer cause it’s been a while now since I’ve looked at it and cut it from my shortlist.

It still has weigh pockets on the back. Whether they will hold as much weight as you need is the question.

$20 for a pair of DGX trim weight pockets that would go on the tank strap (or your waist belt) should add enough capacity for just about anything short of drysuit or 7mm wetsuit diving. A pair of extra trim weight pockets would add almost zero bulk, as far as packing the whole rig goes.

 

[Diving Dubai]

^^^^ This^^^

The Travel Pac as @Dogbowl stated is a none modular wing. The harness and wing are permanently attached - it's made for travel.

The transplate has a comfort harness attached to a steel or aluminum plate - the plate adds weight instead of lead (Stainless steel approx 3 Kg Aluminum around 1kg) because it's modular you can bolt what ever wing on you like

The Transpac is modular but has no plate, again a comfort harness.

for the record I own and dive both a transpac (for summer) and a transplate for winter and my drysuit. I use weight pockets on the tank bands for what little I need in the summer, and have an additional set on the waist band of my transplate for the additional weight needed for the Drysuit.

I've owned teh Transpac for 3 years and put around 400 dives on it. It's subjected to the intense heat of the Middle East (which is hard on materials especially the plastic buckles)and gets thrown around on boats. There has been no issues, they are very well made and I have no hesitation in recommending them.

 

[tdallen]

Got to see the Rogue at DEMA. It is a lot like the Outlaw but with the (from my point of view at least) concerns addressed; stainless rings, availability of weight trim pockets, ditch able weight pockets included and slightly larger wing with a right shoulder dump valve. I was impressed with it, a lot of sizing options available in the near future and it looks like it will pack up easily for travel. I'm looking forward to trying one

It looks like the Rogue places the ditchable weight pockets towards the back, or maybe they wrap around to the side?

 

[C P]

It looks like the Rogue places the ditchable weight pockets towards the back, or maybe they wrap around to the side?

The larger pockets that come with the Rogue were back on the hips, vertical. There are also add on trim pockets that sit on either side of the tank above the band

 

[Oldbear]

We are a warm water dive shop. I brought some Outlaws back from DEMA. Within a week there were sold out. Now the Rogue just arrived. Many of our customers have years of diving (1000+ dives). So they know what they want in "minimalism" in a BCD. The Outlaw is very popular but with the Rogue waist band (it has pockets).

 

[Oldbear]

We sold one Hydro and it fit the owner's wishes very well.

I have a TranPac and it was or is a ok BP/W and delux harness. It has a bunch of extra padding that really is useless. And it has big quick release weight pockets. I like BCDs and I like BP/Ws. They each have their place and function. I am not a big fan of one crossbreed to fit all. It is like instead of two good BCs you got one that functions half-ass for two distinct purposes.