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No piece of dive gear needs to multi-task more than a Buoyancy Compensator. It has to secure tank, hoses and accessories. It must support weight pouches and cargo pockets and still maintain a streamlined profile. It has to enable you to safely control your ascents and descents, and afford relatively comfortable surface flotation. That’s a tall order. Clearly, no one BC can hit all the marks for all divers in all diving conditions. But if you can identify where you spend most of your wet-time, it’s not so hard to find a BC with your name on it.

Want more? Download our ScubaLab score sheets and test charts for east reference.

• 2013 BCs ERGO TEST SCORES
• 2013 BC FEATURES CHART

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SPECS

• MSRP: $695
• Warranty: Ltd. Lifetime
• Made In: Mexico
• Dry Weight: 9.7 lbs. (Size ML/L)
• Inherent Buoyancy: Less than 1 lb.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: S/M-52, ML/L-52, XL/XXL-52
• INFO aqualung.com

PERFORMANCE
At first glance this heavy-duty BC seemed a little stiff, but once test divers were strapped in and under water they discovered the Black Ice was about as comfortable and stable as a BC gets. The Wrapture system, teamed with the Grip Lock buckle, holds the tank solid, there’s no wobble whatsoever, and it allows the BC to hug you like a second skin. Combine the oversized ditchable weight pouches with the rear trim pouches and you have a serious ballast capacity of 42 pounds. You also get four exhaust valves, two big easy-access cargo pockets and five badass pre-bent stainless D-rings. The power inflator pumps air fast and all applicable exhaust valves passed the flow rate tests without breaking a sweat. While most testers felt the Black Ice was just a little too hard-core for their taste — which, of course, was the intent of its design — they could find no problems with this BC.

BOTTOM LINE
The Black Ice epitomizes the rec/tec trend. Its heavy-duty construction looks capable of handling just about anything you want to throw at it or hang on it. If this was a review on tec-oriented BCs, it would be a serious contender for the gold.

SPECS

• MSRP: $575
• Warranty: Ltd. Lifetime
• Made In: Mexico
• Dry Weight: 7.8 lbs. (Size ML)
• Inherent Buoyancy: Less than 1 lb.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-31, S-31, M-36, ML-41, L-44, XL-47, 2XL-54
• INFO aqualung.com

PERFORMANCE The Axiom comes in a wide range of sizes and offers a swivel buckle harness and adjustable sternum strap to dial in the perfect fit, some excellent back and lumbar padding, and the Wrapture harness system. The Sure-Lock II weight system is about as good as it gets; weights snap right in even when wearing the BC, and they ditch on demand. With its efficient valve system, the Axiom joined only a few other BCs able to go three-for-three in the flow rate tests. The Grip Lock tank strap system worked quite efficiently, as long as it’s not adjusted too tight. By using the proper macro adjustment guide for the tank you’re using, and resisting the urge to over-tighten the micro adjustment, you can enjoy substantial tank security while making it easier to manipulate the buckle release. Test divers weren’t wild about the positioning of the lower rear exhaust valve, which is located on the left side of the BC.

BOTTOM LINE The Axiom was this year’s Testers Choice winner in the Jacket-Style category. It’s a comfortable and stable BC with a good weight system, efficient valves and a long list of convenience features.

SPECS

• MSRP: $547
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Made In: China
• Dry Weight: 7.5 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: Just over 2 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-25, S-29, M-40, L-47, XL-61
• INFO spearotek.com

PERFORMANCE This hybrid-style BC offers lots of padding and effective shoulder swivel buckles for dialing in a comfortable fit. Having inflation under the arms as well as in the rear creates a secure feeling, especially when floating on the surface. The Quick Lock Release integrated weight system proved to load easily. Weight pouches also ditched without a problem, although having Velcro backup pads does require a more vigorous tug. Test divers thought the sternum strap was positioned a little too high. Also, while the cargo pockets are big and deep, because they don’t expand outward you loose lots of pocket volume when weight pouches are loaded. Testers did like the double tank band system that combines modern buckles with traditional hook-on clips. Also popular were the big D-rings and bungee straps with squeeze clips located inside the cargo pockets for attaching extra gear.

BOTTOM LINE For traveling divers who like hybrid BCs, this is not a bad choice. While a bit more bulky than your average travel BC, the X-Air Light 2 is comfortable, it offers lots of convenience features, and it stows pretty smartly in its own travel bag.

SPECS

• MSRP: $425.95
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Made In: Hungary
• Dry Weight: 5.6 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 1.25 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-22.5, S-22.5, M-35.9, L-35.9, XL-35.9
• INFO cressi.com

PERFORMANCE Lots of padding on the shoulders and in the lumbar area, plus an easy-adjust waist strap and a three-position sternum strap equals a really cushy BC that can be easily adjusted to fit. With all the inflation held in back you have a clear chest area, creating a very minimalist feel while cruising under water. Test divers felt the D-rings were too few and too small, and the pull dump was stiff. They also thought the roll-down cargo pocket offered good volume, but it wasn’t the easiest to use under water. Once deployed, testers had trouble getting it rolled up and secured again. At depth, the Air Travel proved to be stable, and our test divers found the Lock-Aid weight ditch system among the easiest to load and ditch with weight pouches positioned perfectly over the hips. The BC’s power inflator is well shaped and offers responsive buttons, plus the right shoulder exhaust dumps air efficiently.

**BOTTOM LINE
**When it comes to a lightweight BC designed for travel, it’s hard to beat the Air Travel. Able to be packed into a small bundle, once you get to the dive site you have a full-featured BC to enjoy. No surprise, it earned this year’s Testers Choice in the Travel category.

SPECS

• MSRP: $449.95
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Made In: Hungary
• Dry Weight: 7.7 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 3 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-22.2, S-29.2, M-42.7, L-50.5, XL-50.5
• INFO cressi.com

PERFORMANCE The Back Jac Elite snugs up comfortably, aided by its contoured shoulder straps and cushy padding on the back and lumbar areas. It’s a full-featured BC, yet with its rear buoyancy you don’t get any sense of bulkiness. This BC’s comfort comes at a price — it carries more inherent buoyancy than the other BCs in this year’s group — although compared to years past it still doesn’t equate to much. Also, test divers had trouble with the pull dump exhaust; they rated it stiff at best to borderline nonfunctional at worst. On the plus side, the Lock-Aid weight system is first rate, as are the roomy and easy-access cargo pockets. Test divers enjoyed a very stable ride at depth, the ergo design of its power inflator fits well in the hand, buttons are easy to reach and responsive, and D-rings are well placed and functional.

BOTTOM LINE For those who do a lot of local diving and like wearing a fully equipped back-buoyancy BC, there’s a lot to like about the Back Jac Elite. It’s a true do-it-all model that covers all the bases in terms of features and functions.

SPECS

• MSRP: $349.95
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Made In: Hungary
• Dry Weight: 6.7 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 2 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-16.9, S-20.2, M-23.6, L-33.7, XL-36
• INFO cressi.com

PERFORMANCE This new jacket-style BC is loaded with padding, and its contoured cummerbund is secured with a two-inch double-pull overstrap. The R1 has a real nice feel to it in the water, it is not bulky at all, and it delivers a stable ride. Also, because the bladder slides on the waist strap you don’t get squeezed when floating on the surface fully inflated. The Lock Aid weight system offers a low profile and is very easy to use, plus the large deep cargo pockets are gusseted, making them that much easier to access and load gear.**** The pull dump exhaust at the base of the corrugated hose is extremely stiff and takes some real tugging to activate. Also, test divers found some of the plastic D-rings, while well placed, to be far too small which cut down on their usefulness.

BOTTOM LINE The R1 is a solid low-cost BC that does everything pretty good, and some things, like the weight system and cargo pockets, really good. The test divers’ runner-up choice for Best Buy, the R1 is a BC worthy of consideration.

SPECS

• MSRP $750
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Made In: Bulgaria
• Dry Weight: 9.4 lbs. (Size M/L)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 1.25 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS/S-32.6, M/L-45.1, XL-52.9
• INFO mares.com

PERFORMANCE The Hybrid AT has a bladder system that tucks comfortably under the arms then extends rearward, flanking the tank. Headlining this BC’s features is the harness system. Similar to what’s used on outdoor backpacks, the harness is designed to distribute the load between shoulders and waist and provide additional lumbar support on the surface with its very cool and comfy lumbar suspension band. This also enhances your stability and comfort at depth. The Hybrid AT comes in only three sizes. Test divers felt the BC would benefit from at least one more size, preferably a dedicated size medium. For divers who like BCs that forgo the traditional corrugated hose for a push-button pneumatic inflation/deflation system, the Air Trim is always at hand, it moves air efficiently, and in deflation mode simultaneously operates two pneumatic exhaust valves to bleed air fast. The two zippered pockets have expansion gussets, and the six aluminum D-rings are well positioned and good-sized, plus four of them are pre-bent.

BOTTOM LINE The Hybrid AT is really comfortable, the Air Trim system is efficient, and the folding backpack is unique. It’s a substantial BC with a lot of useful features.

SPECS

• MSRP: $400
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Made In: Bulgaria
• Dry Weight: 7.4 lbs. (Size M/L)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 1.25 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS/S-33.7, M/L-33.7, XL-33.7
• INFO mares.com

PERFORMANCE Comfort-wise, the Hybrid Pure’s padded shoulders offer a lot of contour, and most test divers appreciated the way the lumbar suspension band provided lower back support. The BC behaves well at depth; the streamlined power inflator aided in attaining pinpoint buoyancy control, and having a rigid backpack is always good for minimizing tank wobble. On the Hybrid Pure the MRS Plus weight system is modular, which is really convenient; if you don’t need the pouches, simply remove them from the waist belt. Though when fully loaded, the weight pouches shifted around in their sleeves more than test divers liked. Also, test divers felt the BC could have used at least one more size, preferably a large. The BC only has one pocket but it’s a very smart one. It can be used as a small pocket with a gusseted opening, or you can release the lower expansion flap and double the volume.

BOTTOM LINE The Hybrid Pure feels great in the water, it offers nice design elements that enhance both comfort and convenience, and let’s face it, the BC looks really cool.

SPECS

• MSRP $360
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Made In: Bulgaria
• Dry Weight: 8.2 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: Less than 1 lb.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-30.8, S-33.7, M-35.9, L-45.1, XL-52.9
• INFO mares.com

PERFORMANCE While designed for divers just getting started, the Prime is capable of delivering a level of in-water performance that would make veterans happy. It’s a relatively simple rig with a rigid backpack that supports and stabilizes the tank at depth, and a molded carry handle that makes it easy to schlepp the BC around on the surface. Test divers found the BC’s sternum strap to be positioned a little too high. D-rings are somewhat scarce, and with the optional MRS weight system, cargo pocket volume suffers.
It comes in a good range of sizes, though, so finding one that fits isn’t a problem, and the corresponding buoyant lift is sufficient for virtually any recreational diving scenario. When you’re all strapped in and hit the water you can expect a comfortable, controlled ride at depth. And it’s equipped with a very ergonomic power inflator and an efficient exhaust valve system that aced the flow rate tests.

BOTTOM LINE Divers looking for an entry-level BC that’s well-appointed and performs admirably in the water, and that doesn’t cost a lot of money, will be drawn to Prime MRS. While a bit light on frills, it nails the important stuff at a good price, earning it the Best Buy nod in this year’s competition.

SPECS

• MSRP: $559
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Made In: Italy
• Dry Weight: 8.7 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 1.5 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-44.9, S-44.9, M-44.9, L-44.9, XL-44.9, XXL-44.9
• INFO seacsub.com

PERFORMANCE Like the Pro2000HD, the Nick’s integrated weight system earned top honors among test divers who loved the ease and functionality of the lock-and-load weight pouches. They also liked the fit of this BC, aided by good shoulder adjustments and a two-position sternum strap. Some testers felt the crotch strap was a must-have to keep the rig from shifting while in a heads-down position; others considered it too much of a hassle and removed it. While the BC did earn good overall marks for comfort, its lumbar pad was dinged for being too intrusive. The left-shoulder pull dump exhaust was also extremely stiff. Finally, divers experienced a strange rocking of the tank while diving the Nick; not the typical side-to-side wobble but rather a top-to-bottom motion. It didn’t adversely affect stability but was considered a bit odd. Finally, the molded lift handle was non-functional due to its jammed-up position jammed against the backpad. The BC’s D-rings, however, were deemed plentiful and right-sized, and the two drop-down cargo pockets offered a lot of cargo carrying capacity, although they weren’t the easiest to use.

BOTTOM LINE The Nick can be cinched up nice and snug, and it offers a very cool integrated weight system. It’s a good middle-of-the-road BC that has some features that divers will appreciate.

SPECS

• MSRP: $650
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Made In: China
• Dry Weight: 9.8 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 1.5 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: S-29, M-38, L-45.6, XL-53.7
• INFO seacsub.com

PERFORMANCE Being new to the U.S. market, none of our test divers had used a Seac Sub BC before and were a little skeptical about the Pro2000HD’s integrated weight system — until they tried it. The pouches load easily and lock into their sleeves so smoothly that one suggested it worked by magic. They also deploy with a smooth single motion and can be locked back into place at depth without looking. One ding was the molded-in carry handle, which is jammed so tightly against the rigid backpack that you can’t get your fingers around it for lifting, defeating the purpose. Also, testers felt that the pull dump exhaust was not very responsive. The BC is comfortable with lots of adjustment choices, though. Pockets offer good access although not a lot of volume, and the D-rings are numerous and quite functional.

BOTTOM LINE The Pro2000HD is a full-featured and heavy-duty BC, with a successful combination of front and rear air cells. It’s also a very comfortable rig, and the integrated weight system is exceptional.

SPECS

• MSRP: $588 ($617, 2XL; $647, 3XL-5XL)
• Warranty: 2 Yr. Ltd.
• Made In: Thailand
• Dry Weight: 8.7 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: Less than 1 lb.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: XS-22, S-27, M-32, L-35, XL-40, 2XL to 5XL-40
• INFO sherwoodscuba.com

PERFORMANCE The big news for the updated Avid is the inclusion of Sherwood’s new CQR-3 integrated weight system. Loading the streamlined weight pouches, even while wearing the BC, as well as ditching weights at depth, have been much improved. The trim weight pouches have also been redesigned. Beyond that, testers found the Avid to be very stable at depth and comfortable too, with some of the best valve performance of the group (it aced the flow rates tests), which greatly enhanced ascent control. Ballast weights tended to put a dent in cargo pocket volume, but besides that the only real gripe testers had was that shoulder and waist strap webbing didn’t slide through their buckles smoothly, making it a bit difficult to cinch the straps down. However, an easy-adjust depth-compensating cummerbund and a single-pull sternum strap let you dial in a snug fit. On the surface you’ll get a good surface floating position with virtually no body squeeze. Six good-sized D-rings are provided for hooking on extra gear

BOTTOM LINE The Avid CQR-3 does virtually everything right. Coming in second on test divers’ Top 3 Favorites list, it just missed earning the Testers Choice in this category.

SPECS

• MSRP $588
• Warranty: 2 Yr. Ltd.
• Made In: Thailand
• Dry Weight: 6.6 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 2.5 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: S-23, M-28, L-37, XL-42
• INFO sherwoodscuba.com

PERFORMANCE This rear-inflation BC earned high marks in virtually all ergo test categories. In particular, test divers gave it kudos for its snug and comfortable fit and its stability in the water. The webbing used for the adjustment straps didn’t thread through their buckles as smoothly as others, making it more difficult to cinch the BC up. Also, the cargo pockets are small, and with the addition of the optional retractor volume becomes very limited. It stood out as having some of the best valve performance of this test group,thanks to a responsive power inflator that allows for pinpoint ascent control and exhaust valves that move air efficiently. In flow rate tests the Axis earned a perfect score for its ability to dump air quickly in a simulated stuck-inflator emergency. Elsewhere, the new CRQ-3 weight system loaded and ditched like a charm, and testers liked the addition of the optional Pro Kit, which adds a dive light, knife and especially useful integrated retractors.

BOTTOM LINE Voted Testers Choice in this category, the Axis delivers the functions, features and performance most coveted in a streamlined general-purpose back-buoyancy BC, without overdoing it with unnecessary bells and whistles.

SPECS

• MSRP: $470
• Warranty: 2 Yr. Ltd.
• Made In: Thailand
• Dry Weight: 5.3 lbs. (Size M)
• Inherent Buoyancy: About 1.25 lbs.
• Sizes/Buoyant Lift: S-28, M-37, L-37, XL-37
• INFO sherwoodscuba.com

PERFORMANCE The Ventura turned in some of the best test scores in this go-round for stability and ascent control, the former due in part to the effective positioning of the weight pouches, the latter due in part to a first-rate valve system. The Ventura has some effective padding, and well-routed waist and shoulder straps let you snug up the fit; the sternum strap is removable, but test divers found it to be crucial for pulling together the rig. Because the webbing has a tough time passing through buckles, it can be difficult to properly snug this BC up. Testers noted the absence of cargo pockets. Also, weight pouches were deemed a tad small (Sherwood says the Ventura is designed for tropical diving, so the need for less ballast means they’re able to use smaller pouches). However, the big issue was the difficulty testers had differentiating the pull cord for the right lower rear exhaust valve from the weight-ditch pull cord. The knobs are shaped differently, but each test diver, while diving the Ventura, either pulled or almost pulled the weight ditch cord when they thought they were pulling the exhaust valve cord. On a positive note, it was the only BC in this category that went three-for-three in the flow rate tests.

BOTTOM LINE If you’re looking for a lightweight no-frills BC for tropical diving the Ventura might be just for you — once that pull cord confusion is resolved. Otherwise, it’s the lightest BC in this category and behaves well at depth.