Specifications

Features:

• 840-denier nylon construction
• Air-cell-independent Personal Harness System
• Double-locking integrated-weight system
• Seven stainless-steel and two delrin D-rings
• Padded backpack
• Two large cargo pockets with additional cummerbund mesh pocket

Performance:

The Alpha is a full-featured, all-purpose BC that garnered some admiring nods from test divers for its very compact yet very responsive power inflator in particular, and its overall valve system in general. Both provided test divers with solid buoyancy and ascent control. The Alpha’s harness system, separate from the air cell, can be cinched up snug against a rigid backpack fitted with molded rails that flank the tank for a no-wobble strap-down. The integrated-weight system uses double-lock weight pouches that test divers found a bit hard to load when wearing the BC, due primarily to the set-back position of the pouch sleeves. This also made the pouch handles harder to reach at depth. However once divers got hold of them, the weights ditched easily. The BC’s cargo pockets are also set back from centerline, making them harder to access, but they offer lots of cargo-carrying capacity. Test divers particularly liked the number and placement of the D-rings on the BC as well as the extra clips for attaching accessories.

Bottom Line:

It’s the heaviest rig in this year’s roundup, but the Alpha offers decent comfort and good control underwater.