|May 09 Scuba Lab Quick Links| |---| |General Purpose BCs| |---| | BARE Blackjack| BARE Blackwing| | BARE Voodoo| Mares Prestige MRS Plus| | SCUBAPRO Glide Pro| Tusa Conquest| | Zeagle Ranger LTD| | |Dual Purpose BCs| |---| | Aeris 5 Oceans| Cressi Aquaride| | Oceanic Cruz| SCUBAPRO Equator| | Cressi Travelight| Cressi Light Jac| |True Travel BCs| |---| | Zeagle Zeus| |

True Travel BCs

True Travel BCs are even lighter and more compact than Dual-Purpose BCs. They tend to be very low profile, and many are designed to fold or stow in handy storage pouches for easy traveling. True Travel BCs offer less lift capacity and smaller weight pouches to suit warm water dive scenarios.

Zeagle Zeus

Features

The back-buoyancy Zeus is designed with a unique zippered front panel with two adjustment straps fitted with quick release buckles on each side as well as adjustable shoulder straps. Once you get all your adjustments dialed in with the straps, you can forget about them. Donning and doffing the BC requires simply zipping and unzipping the front panel and clipping the multi-position sternum strap. There are no pockets on this streamlined harness, but D-rings abound so optional pockets can be attached. The rear mounted ditchable weight pouches will carry plenty of ballast for tropical diving, and the 24-pound rear air cell is perfectly suited for warm water.

Performance

|Specifications| |---| | Average Subjective Test Score| 4.2| | Dry Weight| 6 lbs.| | Buoyant Lift| 24 lbs.| | Inherent Buoyancy| 1.1 lbs.| | Weight Capacity| 20 lbs.| | Price| $515.20| | www.zeagle.com| | Test model was size medium|

This unusual BC design with its "Abs of Steel" look had test divers chuckling-until they put it on. Turns out, the Zeus is the most comfortable travel BC in this review. All the adjustment choices in all directions let you really achieve the perfect fit, then you can save those adjustments by using the front zipper. Almost as nice as the comfortable fit is the BC's lack of clutter. While there are enough D-rings to clip off lights and necessary extras, the minimalist design keeps the chest area clear and adds to a real sense of unbridled freedom under water. Ballast weights can be loaded while wearing the BC but because they're mounted farther back it's much easier to load before donning the rig-or have your buddy do it for you. Ditch handles are easy to reach but catching the falling weights can be a little tricky. At depth the Zeus delivers a stable comfortable ride. The power inflator sits a little bigger in the hand than others but offers good buoyancy control. Bonus: the inflator also has a threaded fitting that allows for a fresh water rinse.

Bottom Line

This is our favorite BC in this use category. Yeah, it may look a little strange, but who doesn't? Try this odd duck out and you'll be so comfortable you won't care what people are saying behind your back.

|Quick Links| |---| |General Purpose BCs| |---| | BARE Blackjack| BARE Blackwing| | BARE Voodoo| Mares Prestige MRS Plus| | SCUBAPRO Glide Pro| Tusa Conquest| | Zeagle Ranger LTD| | |Dual Purpose BCs| |---| | Aeris 5 Oceans| Cressi Aquaride| | Oceanic Cruz| SCUBAPRO Equator| | Cressi Travelight| Cressi Light Jac| |True Travel BCs| |---| | Zeagle Zeus| |