Specifications

|Style|Back Buoyancy| |Warranty| Two Years| |Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.)| S-31, M-38, L-49, XL-60| |Integrated-Weight System| Yes| |Dry Weight| 7 lbs., 12 oz. (Size M)| |Price| $400| |www.diveaeris.com|

Features:

• 1680-denier nylon no-fade construction
• Removable closed-cell pad on rigid backpack
• Depth-compensating adjustable cummerbund
• High-security weight-ditch system
• Molded carry/lift handle
• Large zippered pockets
• Substantial buoyant-lift capacity in larger sizes

Performance:

The EX200 presents the look of rugged comfort. Its contoured shoulders are nicely padded and narrow-cut, creating a clutter-free chest area. The depth-compensating cummerbund and closed-cell foam backpad allow for a comfortable, snug fit — although some test divers found the sternum strap positioned a touch too high. The integrated-weight ditch system is supersecure with its new squeeze-to-release design, but not quite as intuitive as standard yank-to-ditch designs. Two zippered nonditch pouches mounted on the tank band make it easy to trim out the rig. In the water, test divers rated the EX200 a very comfortable, stable BC. The power inflator was considered easy to use with soft-touch button action. An efficient valve system allowed for proficient ascent control. The cargo pockets are a decent size, but they’re set back from center, which made access an issue for some divers. The BC comes with a handful of delrin D-rings as well as double daisy loops on the right shoulder for attaching accessories.

Bottom Line:

Wearing this BC at depth just feels good. It’s comfortable and stable, with good valve control and substantial buoyant lift in all sizes for temperate-water diving. It earned a Best Buy nod for its balance of performance and price.

|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| |