2023 A Battle Royale of Travel BCDs** Which is Best for...

For 2023 a battle royale of travel bcds looking at the differences and similarities of 5 popular travel BCDs. Which is best for your dive trips !
Links for pricing and other details...
Aqua Lung Pro HD Compact
www.divers-supply.com/aqua-lu...
Cressi LightWing
www.divers-supply.com/cressi-...
HOG Travel Pro
www.divers-supply.com/hog-tra...
Oceanic Bio-Lite
www.divers-supply.com/oceanic...
Scuba Pro LiteHawk
www.divers-supply.com/scubapr...

[@pellelidell007]

Once again, many thanks for yet another interesting and enlightening review. I'd love to put forward two travel BCDs: XDeep Ghost Deluxe and XDeep Zen Deluxe (with Ghost's superlight backplate for traveling). Both are extremely comfortable, super light and well-designed. Premium quality in every detail and XDeep's backplates are ergonomically perfected. 100% bang for the buck! My wife and I have been diving with these two models for a couple of years, and we can't see ourselves using any other BCD in the future.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Thanks for your comments PelleL. The XDeep folks have a big following in Europe and seem to be making some in-roads into the US market. The Ghost and Zen you mentioned are both what I would call a Ultra Lite Weight Back Plate and Wing vs being described as a travel BC. The skeletonized plates really help to centrally locate the unit on one's center of mass and small wing are compact for travel. Thanks again for your note. Regards Bob C

[@douglasgriffin5830]

Thanks Bob. This is the exact review I was looking for as I am searching for a travel BC. Good to see you're still going strong - I was in your first SDI Scubility class ('15). Thanks for a great comparison / review.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey Douglas ! Glad it was helpful. Yes sir, still making it happen. Nice to hear from you. Regards Bob C

[@jeronimopizarro3391]

Hi Bob! Thanks for the video! What about the Mares Magellan? It has some nice features too!

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey Jeron ! Thanks but did not have one available for review. Regards Bob C

[@armoureddiver5262]

Thank you for the review. Please ca you add a comment about zipped pockets. I use them for a folding snorkel, an SMB with 5m of line and a small torch . Thanks

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Are you asking about a specific BCD ?

[@user-hl4wg9bs4x]

Enjoyed talking with you at the Jacksonville store. I bought the HOG Travel Pro a couple years ago. I have around 100 dives on it and I've been very happy with it. I really like the two tank cam straps. I'm 5'9" 160 pounds and bought the medium. I dive with a 1mm full suit or a 3mm full suit. I added 2 HOG weight pockets to the lower tank strap, which keeps me more upright on the surface. This came in handy in Indonesia waiting for the chase boat to come pick us up.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Very cool, Glad it's worked out for you ! Regards Bob C.

[@deepdivesc]

My concern is... will the local dive shop recert this HOG bc? Mine will not work on HOG regs.

[@utistudent099]

Iceland was mentioned and I went in April 2023 to Silfra. I would rent everything from the local shop. They have this down to a science. They use Aqualung Pro HD BCD and top of the line drysuits. I brought so much gear and they had even better gear than I did. Just take your mask and camera and leave the rest at home. I will do that dive again. Traveling very light next time.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Excellent UTI thank you for your informative comment/report on your trip. This is a popular destination for a very unique dive experience. Bob C

[@adamsalazar654]

Yea that’s because that’s cold water. Every single dive equipment for that water temp rating has to be high and best class by default. If you go to your average shop in Cozumel, you’re diving with Cressi as rental because it’s okay no problem.

[@ppiriou]

I like my AquaLung Pro HD Compact, but I only wish I could get bigger straps like the Cressi BCD. I also changed my tank strap to be in metal instead and added two trim pockets for my weights in the back. I also bought an AquaLung knife which I installed directly on the left pocket.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey PPiriou ! Thanks for the comment. Yes the shoulder straps are a bit on the thin side. Adding the QR tank strap and trim pockets add very little weight to that rig. Regards Bob C

[@davidlloyd866]

Bob, the scubapro litehawk has trim pockets. They are hidden behind the bladder. Love your videos, I look forward to them. Love your online shop Dave

[@DiversSupplyYT]

@@davidlloyd866 Hey David you are correct and my video is under correction as I type this.. Thanks for your note. Brain Fart !

[@Intheshadowz1]

im in love with my scuba pro hydros pro by far the best BCD i have ever used or traveled with.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey Shadowz ! The Hydros Pro is super popular and has great features, folks love them... Thanks for your note ! Bob C

[@kennethjmcarthur2428]

My current BCD and my favourite.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

@@kennethjmcarthur2428 Thanks for your note Kenneth ! Bob C

[@kennethjmcarthur2428]

@@DiversSupplyYT Mine also has the Air 2. More room in the travel bag for other things.

[@j2images469]

Both my wife's scubaPro lite hawk and mine have very nice trim pockets. maybe they changed the design.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Thanks J2i for your comment, and I must say, *"I stand corrected"* . The LiteHawk does have two Trim Pockets that are tucked away between the Bladder and the Soft Back-plate. Regards Bob C

[@JarofRichandHardStar]

I have no problem packing my xdeep zeos everywhere 🎉

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Thanks BN for your note. Regards Bob C

[@oppware]

Hi, great review! Do you think a bcd like the ProHD Compact would be good for instructional work (OW/AOW) where you have to be comfortable on the surface? Wearing shorts with cargo pockets would certainly erase the problem where to put slates and all other needed gear.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

In my personal .02 no I would not choose it for DM or Instructor use. Thanks for the question. Regards Bob C

[@sk2koby]

Considering the aqualung for the lift rating. Will be traveling to Fla to do springs diving with a 5 mil and I weigh 210lbs.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Steel or Alum tank ?

[@sk2koby]

@@DiversSupplyYT Aluminum

[@DiversSupplyYT]

@@sk2koby Well not sure how much weight you normally use in fresh with Alum and a 5mm ? I can get two 3lb's soft weights in each pocket and FYI there are no trim pockets.

[@Ilmmic]

First of all thanks Bob for your great reviews, you helped me to choose my BCD 🙏 ... But specially for travel BCD it would be interesting hiw small can you oack then, ir are they have feaTu8qhuch help them to get a small package size

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hi LLmmic ! Thanks for the question / suggestion. Let me see what I can do to provide an answer to what you ask... Regards Bob C

[@tengo5707]

Hello. I'm choosing between Oceanic Biolitе and Scubapro Litehawk. Which one would you recommend? My experience is 25 dives

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hello Tengo, These are two of what are considered "travel" BCDs and are similar but have some stark differences. Overall construction durability would have to go to the Hawk and the reverse for lite weight would go to the BIO. Both of course are back inflate units, QD side weight pockets and both have trim pockets. I'm a big fan of right should dumps only on the Hawk and the BIO has a less important adjustable chest-strap. The Hawk has some small metal D-rings where the BIO allows you to add quick-links if you like. They are both priced in the mid range with the Hawk being the higher of the two. If you're all about a TRAVEL bc these are both contenders. I'd likely go for durability, at a little extra expense for the Hawk, but it's your money not mine. Dive Safe Regards, Bob C

[@chrisphilhower6029]

Hello. I have a Sizing Issue with BCD's. During my PADI OW Pool Sessions I was given an Aqua lung M. Which fit good. Except for the Waist was too big. About 2". When I did the Quarry portion, They gave me a S. The Waist fit beautifully. However the Shoulders Were Tight. I'm 5'4" with a 30" waist. But I have Kyphosis and a Broken Collarbone(Motorcycle Accident). My Left Shoulder is shorter than the other about 1"(Doctor). With the S I needed help on dry land. And was Extremely difficult to get my arms though during Removal and Replacement in the Quarry. Should I use the M despite the Waist being Loose??

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey Chris, I sure hope they showed you how to shorten the cummerbund on the Med. BCD. I'm a little surprised that some instructors don't explain to their students how to make this adjustment. Check that out before you buy something. Regards Bob C

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@DiversSupplyYT It was Shop Supplied for Class. Think I will have to use the Medium.

[@jayman5692]

What about the Cressi travel light?

[@abelari1]

I have one, it’s great.

[@michaelbarnes8122]

For the money and reliability, HOG all day.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Thanks Mike !

[@A_ALRAJHI]

i have mares guardian bcd

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey K.P. ! The Guardian is an interesting BCD. Not really a travel BCD but sure you could of course. I don't have one handy but will review when I do. Regards Bob C

[@joshf-o6696]

Playback by 1.25 speed helps a lot

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey I'm a Southern boy... Regards Bob C