Gregorius
Guest
I've been researching this for ages, and was pretty set on the Mares Icon as my BCD to purchase and take with me on my next trip. Basically the trip entails a 4 month stint in Indonesia where I'll do a divemaster internship, and get trained up to Instructor level. i'm not sure if i'll take the IE, but at the least I'd hope to get certified as Assistant Instructor (I dont think i'd make the best instructor around with just the 4 months internship experience, but that's another matter).
After that, I'm going to head over to Central & South America, where i'll be travelling extensively for 18 months to 2 years. I backpack around, so carry everything on my back - no wheely suitcases, no hotel transfers, none of this luxury stuff - i do it cheap and proper.
Only reason I'm even considering taking scuba gear with me is because I hope to work along the way... perhaps in Honduras, Belize, Ecuador, etc. And if i'm responsible for the lives of other divers, I'd prefer to have my own gear that i know and trust.
So, with my plan in mind, my question is this: Would a BCD such as a Mares Icon, or even lighter still Scubapro Geo hold up to the amount of diving i'm likely to be doing? I hadn't thought about this, but was in a dive shop today and the owner mentioned that these travel BCDs are designed for holiday diving, not rigorous regular diving like i'll be doing working as a divemaster. He suggested i go for something stronger...
I found the Scubapro Equator which looks like something in between, but again, will it hold up? Should i be giving up on travelling with my gear, and just buy something cheap to use when i need it, and sell it when i'm done?
Has anybody done anything similar that can pass on some words of wisdom?
I also travel with a pro camera and laptop, so really weight is going to be the killer for me on this trip... i'm in a bit of a pickle as to what to take with me, and what to buy.
Hoping to get some good tips... its been a really tough decision to make. AT least i've bought my Regs (Mares Carbon 42) and computer.. and already had fins mask snorkel... but BCD, i think that's the toughest one to choose.
Thanks heaps for any tips
Greg
After that, I'm going to head over to Central & South America, where i'll be travelling extensively for 18 months to 2 years. I backpack around, so carry everything on my back - no wheely suitcases, no hotel transfers, none of this luxury stuff - i do it cheap and proper.
Only reason I'm even considering taking scuba gear with me is because I hope to work along the way... perhaps in Honduras, Belize, Ecuador, etc. And if i'm responsible for the lives of other divers, I'd prefer to have my own gear that i know and trust.
So, with my plan in mind, my question is this: Would a BCD such as a Mares Icon, or even lighter still Scubapro Geo hold up to the amount of diving i'm likely to be doing? I hadn't thought about this, but was in a dive shop today and the owner mentioned that these travel BCDs are designed for holiday diving, not rigorous regular diving like i'll be doing working as a divemaster. He suggested i go for something stronger...
I found the Scubapro Equator which looks like something in between, but again, will it hold up? Should i be giving up on travelling with my gear, and just buy something cheap to use when i need it, and sell it when i'm done?
Has anybody done anything similar that can pass on some words of wisdom?
I also travel with a pro camera and laptop, so really weight is going to be the killer for me on this trip... i'm in a bit of a pickle as to what to take with me, and what to buy.
Hoping to get some good tips... its been a really tough decision to make. AT least i've bought my Regs (Mares Carbon 42) and computer.. and already had fins mask snorkel... but BCD, i think that's the toughest one to choose.
Thanks heaps for any tips
Greg