January 2008

By Bill Kendig

Photography by Joseph Byrd

No piece of dive gear is better at multitasking than your BC. It not only has to help you control your buoyancy underwater, it has to provide comfortable surface flotation, corral your tank, regs and hoses, and provide convenient storage and attachment points for accessories from lights to pony bottles. But the leading BC manufacturers haven't stopped there, as demonstrated by the unique features and designs found in this review.

We asked all major manufacturers to send us their best, or most innovative, BCs and received nine unique models, which include jacket, back-buoyancy and hybrid styles. Although this is not a traditional head-to-head Scuba Lab review, we ran each BC through Scuba Lab's standard testing protocols, paying special attention to any unique design or feature to see how well it lived up to its promises. After making sure all BCs were in proper working order, we took them to the pool for a series of objective tests that measured inherent buoyancy, valve flow rates and actual buoyant lift. For the second phase, we assembled a team of eight test divers from the Southern California area and spent two days diving off the charter vessel Sunfish at Anacapa Island. Over this period, each of our divers acted as your stand-in, diving and evaluating each BC in real-world conditions. We asked them to provide written comments and score the BCs in eight specific areas of ergonomic performance using a 1 to 5 scale (see chart, p. 93). The results were encouraging and exciting--there are some really great ideas being incorporated into modern BC designs.

Jacket-Style

Mares Dragon AT

| Mares Dragon AT (top) Air Trim power inflate/deflate system (left), double-wing Dragon air cell (right)| What's Innovative About It
The Dragon AT gets its name from the unique double-wing Dragon air cell, which wraps partially around the tank as it expands, maintaining better trim, a streamlined profile and eliminating squeeze, and the patented Air Trim power inflate/deflate system, which offers precise buoyancy control without the need to fumble with a traditional inflator hose.

Performance Report
The design team at Mares was thinking outside the bubble with both the air cell and the inflate/deflate system. The combination puts buoyancy where you need it most and the controls within easy reach. The Air Trim module is positioned at the front of the air cell where it can be found every time, and the buttons are large and intuitive; the top button adds air and the bottom one dumps it. It uses air pressure from your tank to activate exhaust valves to vent air (as a backup, there is a manual pull dump on the right shoulder). Air flows quickly and predictably with the press of a button, and the exhaust valves vent air rapidly in feet- or head-first descents. The Dragon AT comes with the latest version of the MRS-Plus integrated-weight system, which test divers rated as Excellent for ditching ability. Zippered weight pockets lock with a positive-sounding "click," release handles are easy to find and the weights ditch smoothly with a quick pull of the handles. For comfort, Mares uses its neutrally buoyant BPS padding, plus a comfortable rolled neoprene collar. It all adds up to a cutting-edge BC that's "very comfortable on the surface and stable at depth." Price: $600.

Scubapro Classic Plus

| | Scubapro Classic Plus| What's Innovative About It
The unique stabilizer jacket design allows a continuous flow of air around the diver, providing stable trim underwater and comfortable, face-up surface flotation.

Performance Report
The unique air cell on the Classic Plus stabilizer jacket is a 20-year-old proven design, but it still rated highly with our test divers when compared head-to-head with the newest models. The stabilizer buoyancy cell provided a stable, predictable attitude underwater and at the surface. A curved hard pack with rubber nonslip pad, coupled with a single-strap stainless-steel buckle, steadies the tank and eliminates wobble. The Classic Plus comes loaded with all the goodies divers expect in a modern BC: an integrated-weight system, streamlined power inflator, a depth-compensating cummerbund and secure trim-weight pouches--to name just a few. Bonus: It registers zero inherent buoyancy. The low-profile power inflator is small, but it provides easy touch recognition. The pull dump and remote dump valves vent air rapidly for ascent control our divers rated as Excellent. The mechanical weight system provides a secure hold on your ballast, but ditching the weights requires you to pinch the buckle and then pull the pocket free--though with practice it can be done in one continuous movement. Foam padding along the back/lumbar region, a soft neoprene neck roll and a depth-compensating cummerbund make for a comfortable BC, but choosing the correct size is vital as there are no shoulder straps to adjust fit. Price: $761; $882 with Air 2 alternate inflator reg (not shown).

Sea Quest Pro QD i3

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| | Sea Quest Pro QD i3 (top) Low-profile flat e-valves for deflation (left), i3 power inflate/deflate system (right)| What's Innovative About It
The new i3 power inflate/deflate system eliminates the traditional corrugated inflation hose and connects directly to the front left side of this jacket-style BC. But that's just the icing on the cake for this all-around outstanding BC.

Performance Report
Even without the new i3 power inflate/deflate system, the Pro QD is a very impressive BC. It earned the highest scores from test divers for attitude, stability and comfort of all the BCs tested in this review. A simple but ingenious design allows the weight pouches and cargo pockets to coexist without detracting from each other, and test divers rated the fit and comfort as Excellent. They also said the weight system was one of the easiest to load and ditch. While the i3 inflator system was new to most of our divers, it also scored Excellent for ascent control and valve operation. They told us the control lever (lift to inflate; depress to deflate) is easy to find and intuitive to use. It uses push rod technology to activate very low-profile deflate valves (called flat e-valves) at the upper-right shoulder and the lower left side. In our test of deflate valves, complete deflation took only seconds in either head-first or fin-first descents. Price: $655.

Back-Buoyancy BCs

DUI Delta Wings

| | DUI Delta Wings| What's Innovative About It
The Delta Wings is the best "one-size-fits-all" BC design we've ever evaluated. Test divers ranging from 110-pound women to 250-pound men were able to get a custom fit (DUI says it will accommodate up to a 300-pounder) with only a few quick and easy adjustments.

Performance Report
Test divers found the size adjustment system intuitive and easy to use. No tools are required. Just lift the cushiony backpad and you'll find a convenient size gauge. Adjust the velcro flap, realign the shoulder straps and cinch down two buckles--you're good to go with a comfortable, secure fit. The BC also allows you to replace the integrated-weight system with an optional waist strap if you prefer to use DUI's Weight & Trim harness system. While the Delta Wings comes loaded with heavy-duty D-rings and stainless-steel tank buckles, its soft-pack design lends itself to comfortable warm-water diving. It was also one of only three BCs in this review to register no inherent buoyancy. The integrated-weight pockets are easy to load with new mesh pouches, and ditch with a ripcord release. Recent upgrades to the design include a new circular air cell that boasts 45 pounds of lift, small zippered pockets on the outside of the weight pouches and a comfortable carrying handle. The zippered pockets were easy to access but limited in volume to a small light or signal tube. Two built-in retractors are a nice touch and offer an alternative for things looking for a pocket. Price: $638.

Oceanic Outrigger HLT

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| | Oceanic Outrigger HLT (top) High Lift Transfer (HLT) system (above) surface flotation pontoon| What's Innovative About It
A small pontoon on the cummerbund can be inflated directly from the main air cell for an additional 15 pounds of surface floatation that helps provide upright and stable surface flotation.

Performance Report
Test divers found the Outrigger to be "a nice, all-around BC, built for comfort" that "feels stable in all positions." Its clever feature is the High Lift Transfer (HLT) system, a small pontoon on the cummerbund that can be deployed by undoing a quick-release buckle and velcro flap. The pontoon automatically inflates in seconds, drawing air from the main air cell, and helps position the diver in a stable, upright position. The Outrigger also earned high marks for comfort and adjustability from our test divers. Among the features they liked best: a soft lining and a rolled neoprene collar, the adjustable, depth-compensating cummerbund and a three-position sternum strap. Underwater, the Outrigger earned Very Good scores for attitude and stability, providing a smooth ride. Price: $659.95.

Sherwood Scuba Axis

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| | Sherwood Scuba Axis (top) Drop-down zippered cargo pocket (above)| What's Innovative About It
A wedge-shaped 3-D air cell streamlines your profile while still providing enough buoyant lift for even cold-water diving. The Axis also keeps clutter to a minimum with a well thought-out harness system.

Performance Report
The Axis is a BC designed to do it all. It has the compact form of a warm-water travel BC, but the buoyant lift and integrated-weight capacity to handle colder climes, too. What impressed test divers the most was the combination of the streamlined air cell and the uncluttered, yet feature-rich, harness system. On the left are a small light pocket, fastex buckle and a stainless-steel D-ring. On the right are a drop-down zippered cargo pocket, fastex buckle, stainless D-ring and a signal tube pocket. Sherwood's patented CQR weight system holds 20 pounds securely but is easy to ditch. Test divers found the Axis to be stable in all positions underwater and rated it Very Good for comfort and adjustability thanks to a plush padded backpack, rolled neoprene collar and long adjustment straps with D-rings. Price: $480; $600 with Gemini Breather Inflator.

Tusa BCJ 6900 X-Pert BB

| | Tusa BCJ 6900 X-Pert BB (top) Advanced Weight Loading System (left), Cam buckle with "half-closed" position for easier lock-down (right)| What's Innovative About It
This travel-friendly BC uses an innovative backpack design called the Independent Harness System and a 3-D air cell to create a BC that is both streamlined and extremely stable.

Performance Report
The clever three-dimensional design of the X-Pert's buoyancy cell allows for a substantial amount of lift without added bulk. Even fully inflated it retains a streamlined profile in the water thanks to expanding spandex panels. Divers also liked the Independent Harness System, which allows a snug fit without squeeze. Ascent control ranked high with a low-profile inflator and three alternate dump valves. The result of the combination is the stability and buoyancy of a hard-pack with the comfort and clean lines of a tropical BC. Other nice features include a tank band with a unique "half-closed" position that allows for easier lock-down on the tank. It also has a lower stabilizing strap and tank-positioning strap, which are always helpful with a weight-integrated BC. Weight loading and ditching scored Very Good with divers. Divers liked the way it fit above the surface and below, reporting that at times it felt like they weren't wearing a BC at all. Price: $460.

Zeagle Stiletto Extreme

| | Zeagle Stiletto Extreme (top) Complete 6-cubic-foot pony bottle/regulator system (above)| What's Innovative About It
A seamless integration of standard features--including a complete pony bottle system, a signal tube system and alternate inflator reg--that increase safety and comfort.

Performance Report
Zeagle took their popular Stiletto BC and tricked it out with an impressive array of standard features. The best part is they did it without adding any bulk or inherent buoyancy, no small accomplishment. Hidden in the folds between the air cell and harness are a quick-deploy pony bottle system, with a six-cubic-foot tank and independent first- and second-stage regulator, and a quick-deploy Deluxe Signal Tube System with a stainless-steel thumb reel. To top it off, they added the new Octo-Z alternate-inflator regulator. Test divers found the Stiletto provided "a great fit, stable ride and lots of mobility." The Stiletto is equipped with Zeagle's patented Ripcord weight-release system, which drops all primary weights with the pull of a single handle. The BC's two zippered utility pockets are small but offer good access. In spite of the heavy-duty materials and padding, this BC folds up pretty compactly for traveling. Price: $1,299.

Hybrid

Aeris Atmos LX

| | Aeris Atmos LX| What's Innovative About It
What's Innovative About It: A hybrid air cell design allows for greater buoyant lift while minimizing bulk and squeeze.

Performance Report
Though it looks and fits much like a jacket-style BC, the Atmos LX uses an effective hybrid air-cell design that places most of the air behind the diver as the bladder inflates (this allows for greater lift capacity while minimizing squeeze on the diver), but it leaves enough air around the waist to enhance stability on the surface. Test divers found it to be a comfortable, stable BC, giving it high marks across the board. In addition to the hybrid design, this BC also makes good use of the QLR integrated-weight system. The weight-pouch inserts have a stiff, pre-bent backing to keep a contoured shape and allow for easier loading. They are secured with a mechanical buckle and backed up by velcro, but all it takes is a quick tug on the handles for easy ditching. Test divers also gave this BC high marks for comfort and adjustability thanks to a great size range and features like a depth-compensating cummerbund, reinforced contour shoulders, a thick backpad and an adjustable chest strap. Price: $539.95.

How and Why We Test BCs

The goal of every Scuba Lab gear review is to help you be an informed dive gear consumer. Our reviews are impartial and rooted in both objective measurements of raw performance and the feedback of multiple human test divers--folks just like you who know what really matters to divers. On the following charts, you will find the results of both types of testing.

Objective Performance Measurements

Inherent buoyancy This test measures how much lift the BC has when all air is dumped from the air cell. Since every pound of inherent buoyancy in a BC is a pound you have to offset with additional ballast, less inherent buoyancy is always better. We consider three pounds of inherent buoyancy to be acceptable; between 1 and 2 pounds average; less than one pound exceptionally good.

Deflate Valve Function The full details of this test are outlined in the chart. The short version: We believe each of a BC's standard deflate valves should individually vent the air cell at a pace that keeps up with the inflate valve in order to allow the diver to maintain buoyancy control if the inflator valve is stuck in the "on" position. Each valve that can do so gets a "yes."

Ergonomic Tests

Our ergonomic tests are designed to tell you how dive gear functions in everyday use. Test divers use a 1 to 5 rating system to score each area of performance. The average score for each area is presented in the chart.

Ascent Control An evaluation of how easily the BC can be used to control a normal ascent.

Attitude and Stability Evaluated while swimming underwater to determine if the BC will keep the diver in the proper swimming position without wobbling.

Weight Ditching An evaluation of how easy or difficult it is to ditch weights in a simulated emergency situation.

Valve Operation Evaluated by the ease with which a diver can find and use the oral and power inflators, the oral deflate held overhead, the pull dump and the remote exhaust valve(s).

Comfort and Adjustment Checked both in and out of the water with the BC strapped to a tank.

Assembly Performed on deck without instructions. Although BCs should be supplied with clear and complete instructions, most divers will not take instructions with them on the boat.

Weight Loading An evaluation of how easy or difficult it is for a diver to load weights and secure the system while wearing the BC.

Pockets Tested in and out of the water, this is an evaluation of how easy or difficult it is to access and use the BC's pockets.

||||| |---|---|---|---| | Deflate Valve Function We test flow rates to determine whether or not a BC's deflation valves will stay ahead of the inflation valve to avoid an out-of-control ascent in the event the inflation valve sticks open. In a heads-up ascent position, starting out with the BC totally empty and loaded with ballast equaling 20 percent of its manufacturer-stated buoyant lift, the inflation valve was simultaneously activated for 20 seconds with each of the deflation valves. Each time, the BC was checked to see if it remained negatively buoyant.| | Name| Inflater/Deflater Held Overhead | Exhaust Hose Pull Dump | Alternate Shoulder Pull Dump | | Mares: Dragon AT| N/A| N/A| Yes| | Scubapro: Classic Plus| No| Yes| Yes| | Sea Quest: Pro QD i3| N/A| N/A| Yes| | DUI: Delta Wings| Yes| No| N/A| | Oceanic: Outrigger HLT| No| Yes| Yes| | Sherwood Scuba: Axis| Yes| Yes| Yes| | Tusa: BCJ6900 X-Pert| No| Yes| Yes| | Zeagle: Stiletto Extreme| Yes| Yes| N/A| | Aeris: Atmos LX| No| Yes| Yes|