ScubaLab: BCs - SCUBAPRO Litehawk
Specifications
| Style | Back Buoyancy |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime on bladder seams, two years on other parts |
| Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.) | XS/S-56, M/ML-56, L/XL-56 |
| Integrated-Weight System | No |
| Dry Weight | 6 lbs., 5 oz. (Size ML/L) |
| Price | $358; $479 w/Air 2 |
| www.scubapro.com |
Features:
- 1,000-denier nylon construction
- No-clutter ergonomic harness
- Swivel shoulder buckles
- Molded carry/lift handle
- Substantial buoyant-lift capacity in all sizes
- Zero inherent buoyancy
Performance:
The Litehawk’s clutter-free harness design and swivel shoulder buckles allowed test divers to route straps under their arms for a real dialed-in fit. There’s ample padding in the back and lumbar areas and even partially around the waist. The rear air cell is controlled by compression straps, so it maintains a low-profile shape when traveling through the water column. The tank stays in place against a hard backpack with Scubapro’s Super Cinch tank-band buckle. Combined with the snug fit, this prompted test divers to rate the Litehawk excellent for Stability. The balanced power inflator is compact and efficient, and exhaust valves allow you to dump lots of air fast. The BC is light on D-rings and doesn’t come with weight integration (that’s optional), but it does include a couple of movable cargo pockets that test divers found could be used as trim pouches when diving in warm water. An optional crotch strap is also available.
Bottom Line:
The Litehawk came in hot on the Zuma’s heels as this year’s top Travel BC. The BC carries no inherent buoyancy, and its generous buoyant lift in all sizes makes it well suited for both tropical and temperate water diving.
| June 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links |
|---|
| General-Purpose BCs |
| --- |
| While they can be used for any type of diving, general purpose BCs are designed primarily for temperate- and/or cold-water diving with 7mm wetsuits or drysuits. General Purpose BCs tend to offer lots of buoyant lift across their size ranges along with heavy-load integrated weight systems. They often have large cargo pockets and larger D-rings for attaching additional gear. |
| Aeris EX100| Aeris EX200 |
| Aqua Lung Pro QD| Aqua Lung Pro LT |
| IST J-1000 Alpha| IST J-1200 Hydro D |
| ScubaMax Versa 3000| SCUBAPRO Seahawk |
| SeaSoft Sealion| Sherwood Tortuga |
| Zeagle Tech 10| |
| Travel BCs |
| --- |
| Travel BCs are lighter and more compact than General Purpose BCs. Many are designed to fold or stow in handy storage pouches for easy globe-trotting. Travel BCs tend to offer less buoyant-lift capacity and smaller weight pouches to suit warm-water diving scenarios. |
| Aqua Lung Zuma| Cressi Aquapro 5 |
| SCUBAPRO Geo| SCUBAPRO Litehawk |
| SeaSoft Travlite| Zeagle Express/Deluxe |
| Women's BCs |
| --- |
| Women are shaped differently than men, so it makes sense that a women’s BC would be shaped differently too. Women’s BCs are often cut higher along the waist and are more expansive in the chest area. Straps and adjustments accommodate shorter, narrower torsos, and power inflators are ultracompact to fit comfortably into smaller hands. |
| BARE Curve| Sherwood Luna |
| Tusa Selene II| |
Specifications
| Style | Back Buoyancy |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime on bladder seams, two years on other parts |
| Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.) | XS/S-56, M/ML-56, L/XL-56 |
| Integrated-Weight System | No |
| Dry Weight | 6 lbs., 5 oz. (Size ML/L) |
| Price | $358; $479 w/Air 2 |
| www.scubapro.com |
Features:
- 1,000-denier nylon construction
- No-clutter ergonomic harness
- Swivel shoulder buckles
- Molded carry/lift handle
- Substantial buoyant-lift capacity in all sizes
- Zero inherent buoyancy
Performance:
The Litehawk’s clutter-free harness design and swivel shoulder buckles allowed test divers to route straps under their arms for a real dialed-in fit. There’s ample padding in the back and lumbar areas and even partially around the waist. The rear air cell is controlled by compression straps, so it maintains a low-profile shape when traveling through the water column. The tank stays in place against a hard backpack with Scubapro’s Super Cinch tank-band buckle. Combined with the snug fit, this prompted test divers to rate the Litehawk excellent for Stability. The balanced power inflator is compact and efficient, and exhaust valves allow you to dump lots of air fast. The BC is light on D-rings and doesn’t come with weight integration (that’s optional), but it does include a couple of movable cargo pockets that test divers found could be used as trim pouches when diving in warm water. An optional crotch strap is also available.
Bottom Line:
The Litehawk came in hot on the Zuma’s heels as this year’s top Travel BC. The BC carries no inherent buoyancy, and its generous buoyant lift in all sizes makes it well suited for both tropical and temperate water diving.
| June 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links |
|---|
| General-Purpose BCs |
| --- |
| While they can be used for any type of diving, general purpose BCs are designed primarily for temperate- and/or cold-water diving with 7mm wetsuits or drysuits. General Purpose BCs tend to offer lots of buoyant lift across their size ranges along with heavy-load integrated weight systems. They often have large cargo pockets and larger D-rings for attaching additional gear. |
| Aeris EX100| Aeris EX200 |
| Aqua Lung Pro QD| Aqua Lung Pro LT |
| IST J-1000 Alpha| IST J-1200 Hydro D |
| ScubaMax Versa 3000| SCUBAPRO Seahawk |
| SeaSoft Sealion| Sherwood Tortuga |
| Zeagle Tech 10| |
| Travel BCs |
| --- |
| Travel BCs are lighter and more compact than General Purpose BCs. Many are designed to fold or stow in handy storage pouches for easy globe-trotting. Travel BCs tend to offer less buoyant-lift capacity and smaller weight pouches to suit warm-water diving scenarios. |
| Aqua Lung Zuma| Cressi Aquapro 5 |
| SCUBAPRO Geo| SCUBAPRO Litehawk |
| SeaSoft Travlite| Zeagle Express/Deluxe |
| Women's BCs |
| --- |
| Women are shaped differently than men, so it makes sense that a women’s BC would be shaped differently too. Women’s BCs are often cut higher along the waist and are more expansive in the chest area. Straps and adjustments accommodate shorter, narrower torsos, and power inflators are ultracompact to fit comfortably into smaller hands. |
| BARE Curve| Sherwood Luna |
| Tusa Selene II| |
