BCDs

Below is a review of 11 different scuba buoyancy control devices (BCDs).  Each has a brief introduction and a listing of key considerations.  After the reviews is a chart comparing several aspects.

For a more basic understanding of BCDs generally, please click on my previous article here:  —>>Best Scuba BCDs – Defined and Described<<—

Zeagle Ranger

The Zeagle Ranger is a top quality heavy duty BCD with weight integration and back flotation.

Due  to modular construction, the Ranger is able to adapt to warm and cold water diving, in wet or dry suits. It allows single or twin cylinders and even technical divers can use it with its ability to include bladder assemblies of up to 2 X 85-LB lift and easily mounted back-plates.

It is one of the most popular and recommended wing BCDs. Just keep in mind that is a bit heavier than other models and maybe not the best option for travel.Best Use:  cold water, deep, or technical diving

• Style:  back inflation
• Material:  1050 Denier Nylon
• Lift capacity:  44lbs. (20kg)
• Weight:  8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) to 9.5lbs (4.3kg)
• Capacity:  30lbs (13.6kg)
• Women’s version:  Zeagle Ranger Women’s
• Pros:  resistant, durable, comfortable, great performance, can accommodate single or twin tanks, many attachment points
• Cons:  heavy, expensive, not ideal for recreational or beginner diver

check out the price

Hollis HD 200

Comfort, function and durability – the HD-200 is everything the advanced sport diver could ask for. It has a combination of tech/rec features that provide comfort and functionin a heavy duty construction and innovative design to make this BC the best in its class.

For comfort there is a lightweight, contoured backpack padded for full support of the back and neck. A custom fit is assured with a specially designed system of straps, buckles and mounting locations for ease in donning, doffing and adjustment.

Accessory attachment is made easy with an abundance of D-rings, zippered pockets with mounting grommets.  The power inflator mechanism is specially designed for maximum buoyancy and trim and it is a weight integrated model.

• Best use:  advanced divers
• Style:   back inflation
• Material:  1000 denier CorduraTM w/ PU lamination outer shell & 15mm urethane internal bladder
• Lift capacity: 35 lbs. (15.8 kg) bladder s & m sizes, 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) bladder l & xl sizes
• Weight:  9.4 lbs (4.3Kg)
• Capacity:  releasable: two 10lb (4.5kg) pockets, two 5lb (2.27kg) rear non-releasable trim pockets
• Womens’s version:  N/A
• Pros:  heavy duty construction, back pad and lumbar support, good sized pockets
• Cons:  heavy and bulky

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Dive Rite Nomad LS

This model of the Nomad introduces the Nomad LS Sidemount System which is more streamlined and capable than previous models for optimal buoyancy and trim position.

It is a complete dedicated sidemount system that is one size fits all which can be adjusted to fit anyone.  A webbing harness fitted  with  pivot rings on the shoulders makes for a comfortable fit for different sized divers.

The extremely durable exterior SuperFabric™ material is resistant to the elements of diving and the the bladder is air cell constructed.

• Best Use:  dedicated side mount diving
• Style:  back/harness
• Material:  SuperFabric™ material
• Lift capacity: 35 lbs (15.8 kg)
• Weight:  8.8 lbs-9.1 lbs (4 kg-4.14 kg)
• Capacity: not available
• Women’s version:  N/A
• Pros: durable side mount diving BCD, twin cylinder
• Cons:  Side mount only, extra straps required for back mount, heavy

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Cressi Aquaride Pro

The Cressi Aquaride Pro BCD stands out as a jacket type light and compact enough for travel and versatile enough for a wide variety of diving.  It also has enough lift and weight capacity and room for maneuverability to be used with a dry suit in cold-water conditions. It a good all around BCD.

The Aquaride Pro has a well padded comfortable hard pack frame with  adjustable shoulder straps that are unimpeded by the air bladder making for an easy to don and fit BCD.  In addition the cummerbund and chest strap are elasticized so that even at full inflation, it doesn’t uncomfortably squeeze.

This model has a streamlined underwater profile and good ascension capacity.  It has integrated ballast improved over previous models, making it flatter, lighter and discreet. It also has pockets on the back to add some ballast.

• Best Use:  beginner
• Style:  jacket
• Material:  420 denier nylon
• Lift capacity:  “high” (specifics unavailable)
• Weight:  7 lbs to 8.3 lbs (3.1kg – 3.7 kg)
• Capacity:  20 lbs (9 kg) releasable,  8 lbs (3.6 kg) not releasable
• Womens’s version: N/A
• Pros:  big pocets,  comfortable, large pockets, several D-rings, affordable
• Cons:  small mouthpiece on oral inflator

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Cressi Start Pro

Perfect for beginners, the Cressi Start Pro is a simple, comfortable and practical jacket BCD. It includes external weight pockets and two large velcro closed pockets.

It’s a rugged and durable BCD with a streamlined underwater profile and strong ascension capacity with an integrated ballast system improved over previous models, making it flatter, lighter and discreet. It also has back pockets for additional ballast.

• Best Use:  beginners
• Style:   jacket
• Material:  500 and 1000 denier nylon
• Lift capacity:  29.2 – 45 pounds (13.3 – 20.4 kg)
• Weight:  8.65 pounds (3.93 kg)
• Capacity:  2.1 to 2.8 kg – 4.8 to 6.2 lbs
• Womens’s version:  N/A
• Pros:  extremely affordable, simple design, lightweight
• Cons:  A little bulky for travel, not suited to cold water diving

check out the price

Zeagle Stiletto

The Zeagle Stiletto is a rugged travel BCD yet with all the features of a traditional BCD.  It’s harness can be easily adjusted to fit most body types.  The design is to be light weight for travelling to be used for both warm and temperate water diving.  Its lift and weight capacity is sufficient for most divers to use at their local dive sites, yet it packs up light and easy.

• Best Use:  advanced divers
• Style:  back/wing
• Material:  1000 Denier Nylon Bladder Material
• Lift capacity:  35lb – 15.8kg
• Weight:  7.4 lbs (3.36 kg)
• Capacity:   releasable weight: 24 lbs (10.9 kg), non-releasable: 16 lbs (7.26 kg)
• Womens’s version:  N/A
• Pros:  sturdydesign
• Cons:  padding a bit inadequate, inflation hose a little short

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Oceanic Biolite

The new Biolite BC, the ultimate travel BC, has introduced a new color scheme and streamlined, integrated weight system. The Biolite is simple with a clean, straightforward design that focuses on comfort and convenience in a very light weight piece of luggage.

It only weighs 5.5 lbs. and includes an integrated weight system and a low profile flexible back pack, making it easy to fold in half when packed for travel.

• Best Use:  recreational diving, female divers
• Style:  back, travel BCD
• Material:  patented bioflex bladder, (bioflex material- a living fabric that stretches)
• Lift capacity:  32 lbs. to 38 lbs. (14.5 to 17.24 kg), Size Dependent
• Weight:  5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
• Capacity:  releasable: 14 Lbs (6.4 kg), trim pockets: dual 5 Lbs (2.3 kg)
• Womens’s version:  Oceanic Biolite Ladies
• Pros:   Lightweight, takes up little space so ideal for travel
• Cons:  Not as stable as some other models

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Aqua Lung Pro

The Aqua Lung Pro is a relatively new, affordable model. This one has integrated ballast.  Also there is a built-in traction pad to prevent bottle slippage along with features including D-rings, utility pockets, tear resistant, sturdy material, a squeeze lock knife, reflector kit and a fully adjustable waist strap to fit multiple sized divers.

This BCD is full of features for the recreational diver at an affordable price

• Best Use:  recreational diving
• Style:  jacket
• Material:  ResisteK material
• Lift capacity:  x-small 24 lbs. (10.9 kg) to x-large 55 lbs 25 kg)
• Weight:  7 lbs.
• Capacity:  not available
• Womens’s version:  N/A
• Pros:  large utility pockets

• Cons:

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Tusa Liberator Sigma 2

The Liberator Sigma II BCD is a sturdy, jacket style BC with an integrated ballast system and back pockets to accommodate additional ballast. The two double zippered pockets are large and constructed with mesh drainage.  The Tusa Liberator Sigma II is a comfortable BC at a great price for beginners or advanced divers.  Its Independent Harness System (IHS) isolates the jacket’s harness from the air cell and secures the tank firmly even with changes in inflation or deflation.  With Tusa’s Ultimate Stabilizing Harness (USH), the chance of a tank roll is unlikely and there are various sizes for selection to get a good fit.

• Best Use:   recreational and advanced diving
• Style:  jacket
• Material:   500-CORDURA Nylon
• Lift capacity:  18lbs to 46lbs (8.16kg to 20.9kg)
• Weight:  unavailable
• Capacity:  8-10 pounds (3.63-4.54kg) in releasable weight cartridges, and 4 pounds (2kg) in each non-releasable pocket
• Womens’s version:  N/A
• Pros:  heavy duty, 2 large zippered pockets,  plenty of D-rings, reasonable price
• Cons:  bulky for travel

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Sherwood Avid CQR3 BCD

The Sherwood New Avid CQR3 is a redesigned model with an updated CQR3 weight system for easy installation and removal of weight pockets.  It maintains its functionality, comfort and dependability and has a special adjustable shoulder strap system to augment performance.  The body wrap around uses a 3D designed air cell for excellent stability.  In addition, it is equipped with 6 D-rings to attach your gear and zippered utility side pockets for additional scuba accessories.

• Best Use:  all levels
• Style:  jacket
• Material:  1000 Denier Nylon
• Lift capacity:  20 to 36 lbs. (9 to 16.3 kg)
• Weight:  9.75 lbs ( 4.42 kg)
• Capacity:  16 lbs. (7.26 kg) to 26 lbs. (11.8 kg) of releasable weight ( depending of size of BCD) and 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) to 10 lbs. of unreleasable weight
• Womens’s version:  N/A
• Pros:  comfortable straps, good fit, good performance, affordable
• Cons:  pocket pulls can be hard to reach and unzip during dive

check out the price

 

BCD	Best Use	Type	Lift Capacity	Price	Rating
Zeagle Ranger	recreational tech	back	44lbs/20kg	$$$	4.8
Hollis HD200	advanced	back	35lbs/15.8kg	$$	4.9
Dive Rite Nomad LS	tech side mount	back  harness	35lbs/15.8kg	$$	4.5
Cressi Aquaride Pro	beginner	jacket	no specs	$$	4.7
Cressi Start Pro	beginner	jacket	35lbs/15.8kg	$	4.2
Cressi Travelite	recreational warm water	jacket travel	20.2lbs/9.2kg	$	4.8
Zeagle Stiletto	advanced	back travel	35lbs/15.8kg	$$$	5
Oceanic Biolite	recreational female	back, travel	35lbs/15.8 kg	$$	4.6
Aqua Lung Pro	recreational	jacket	35lbs/15.8kg	$$	4.3
Tusa Liberator Sigma 2	recreational  advanced	jacket	35lbs/15.8kg	$	4.2
Sherwood Avid CQR3	recreational  advanced	jacket	28lbs/12.7kg	$$	4.5

I hope you found this post on BCDs interesting and helpful. If you have any questions, comments or your own personal experience, please feel free to share in the comments section below.  I’d love to know what you think.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

For a review and comparison of specific BCD models, please click here:  —>>11 Best Scuba BCDs of 2019 – Reviewed and Compared<<—

A buoyancy control device (BCD) or buoyancy compensator (BC) is the key piece of equipment to help a diver control buoyancy during the dive.  That’s why it’s important to choose a BCD that is comfortable and suits the personal needs of the diver to ensure the best possible diving experience.  

Buoyancy allows the diver to safely ascend and descend, as well as to be effectively streamlined during the dive and in a controlled position.  Like most major pieces of scuba gear, BCDs are not cheap.  There are a number of styles that come in various shapes and sizes with many different features.

First we will look at the basic parts of a BCD.  Then there is an exposition on how to choose the most appropriate one.  And last of all here we’ll describe how to take care of a BCD.

Basic Parts of A Scuba BCD

Dump Valves   

Air can be let out of the BCD through the deflator or through a dump valve system.  Most BCDs have two or three dump valves.  One is next to ​​the left shoulder and another is located at the lower back of the BCD where it is practical to deflate while in an inverted position, that is to say declined with your head down.  You can also deflate your BC by pulling the inflator hose.

Pockets and D-rings             

Most jacket-style models have two or more pockets and a number of D-rings, however, not all models, like back-inflation BCDs, do this. Pockets are useful for storing your accessories or even for extra weight storage.  D-rings might also be useful for hooking up a dive light, camera or other gear.

Inflator/Deflator Mechanism 

The standard inflator/deflator system permits a diver to inflate or deflate the scuba BCD at the push of a button.  Two types of inflators are available.  Power inflators are connected to the tank with a low pressure hose from the first stage. An easily controlled amount of air is added into the BCD when the button is pushed.  The manual inflator lets you add air into the BCD by blowing into a mouthpiece on the inflator hose.

Air Bladder                     

Air bladders are the most important part of a BCD and are designed to hold air.  They can be located in the back of the BCD, at both sides of the jacket, or along both the sides and back.  They can be inflated or deflated to adjust buoyancy.  

Adjustable Band   

This is located on the back of the BCD and is used to attach it to the scuba tank. It is designed to easily secure the tank to the BCD.

Straps                                           

BCDs are all designed with straps that wrap around your torso to hold the jacket in place.  It may involve a cummerbund styling.  In addition, there will be straps with buckles to firmly secure the fit.

How To Effectively Choose The Best Scuba BCD For You

A buoyancy control device, otherwise known as a BCD, jacket or dive vest, is a vital piece if gear used to adjust and calibrate a diver’s buoyancy. BCDs are designed to be easily inflated or deflated with a touch button to allow the diver to hover, ascend or descend underwater. It also serves as a harness that holds the tank and the attached components that allow you to breathe from it.

BCDs come in four different styles – jacket, back inflation, hybrid and travel jacket.

The jacket or harness style is the most commonly used BCD.  The entire BCD, including the front, back and sides, is 

inflatable giving a tight feeling like wearing a big winter jacket.  Jacket BCDs are usually recommended for beginners because they are considered easier to use on the surface and underwater for streamlining and to create good buoyancy for all diving conditions and environments.  When you inflate this type of BCD the front and back will fill up with air engulfing your body.  This style also provides the most control in the easiest manner during your dive.

Back inflation BCDs are inflated only in the section on the back and are lighter in weight. This style often feels

more comfortable as there is more freedom of movement and it is also takes up less space in luggage so is more suitable for divers who travel often.  These BCDs are commonly called wings as only the back portion of the device is inflated. Back inflation BCDs are recommended for experienced and technical divers as often the diver is put in a face down position when floating on the surface, and are more accommodating for multiple or side mounted tanks.

A hybrid BCD combines the two styles and inflates ¾ in the back and ¼ in the front. This type reduces the amount

of air in the back part of the rig when compared to the wing style. A hybrid will keep the diver in a more vertical position, which many divers will appreciate.

 

 

 

A travel jacket BCD  is lighter and more manageable than a standard jacket BCD because it either

a back-pack on the back or, in some cases, the back-pack is in the form of a foldable plate.  Some models have even eliminated the lateral pockets and some of the rings for hanging accessories.  They can be extremely light and convenient to carry in  your baggage, but the primary drawback is that they tend to have less buoyancy, so may not be appropriate for cold water diving, where you will need to use a lot of ballast due to the thickness of the suit.

Sizing and Fit BCDs are often available in men’s and women’s models. Due to differences in anatomy the location of the chest straps need to be rearranged.  BCDs for each gender should feel snug when inflated and not be too loose.  A poorly fitting BCD can prevent streamlining and potentially create drag.  You must have the ability to tighten and loosen straps and buckles when fully inflated on the surface and comfortably be able to breath.

Integrated Weights Some buoyancy compensators are designed with weight integration so that use of a weight belt may not be necessary. If a drysuit or wetsuit is used, an integrated weight system may not be sufficient.  Thus, divers are advised  still to get a weight belt. Weight integrated BCDs are more comfortable than using a standard BCD with a weight belt and can help lessen stress or bruising to the hips particularly for females doing warm water diving.  Divers should be well aware of how to ditch integrated weights in an emergency.

Lift Requirements Every BCD has a lift capacity based on how much it will be able to hold when it is inflated to capacity on the surface.   Divers should learn early in training to correctly manage weight during the dive, that is to be correctly weighted and not overweighted.  Divers should not use a BCD to compensate for improper weighting.  It is necessary to discover how much lift is needed.  The answer depends on factors such as how cold the water is and the thickness of the wetsuit. A thicker wetsuit is more buoyant, so a higher lift capacity is required from the BCD.  In warmer water, less lift capacity is needed as less thermal protection is used.

Alternate Inflator Regulators  It is possible to use an alternate inflator regulator with any scuba BCD.  BCDs all come with a basic inflator/deflator mechanism that can be replaced with an alternate inflator regulator, which allows the same inflation and deflation mechanism of the BCD, and the function of an alternate air source in one unit.

Straps, Pockets and Attachment Points – Divers carry a lot of accessories and the more advanced or technical the diving, the more the diver will carry.  A suitable number of pockets, straps and D-rings are necessary for your torch, camera, surface markers, whistles, lines, etc.

Several D-rings on a BCD are quite useful and pockets permit more streamlining when accessories are tucked inside.  There is less danger of damaging the environment by dragging something onto it and also a decreased chance of getting snagged on something in a narrow space.

Care and Maintenance of Your Scuba BCD

Now that you have a BCD, how can you most effectively take care of it to get the longest life out of it?  This is what you should have learned at your diveshop when you did your first open water course. 

Before diving:

• Inspect the inflator hose and valve connector for damage, corrosion or cracking.
• Fully inflate your BCD and leave it for several minutes to check for leaks.
• Examine the backplate, tank band and buckles.

After diving:

Follow these steps:

• A large basin or tub is useful, but what is important is to get all the salt water (or dirty fresh water) off and out of the BCD.  Wash the outside and inside of the BCD completely.  Make sure the inflator and dump valves are well rinsed.  Remove any sand or debris from the pockets, harness, etc.
• Put fresh water into the bladder of the BCD through the low-pressure inflator hose.  Press the deflater button as you put the fresh water into your BCD until at least 1/4 full.  A hose is helpful for this process.
• Blow some air into the BCD and thoroughly turn and shake it so that the fresh water passes through and around the inside, then drain it through the dump valves.
• Inflate the BCD slightly to prevent the inside pieces from sticking together and hang it in a cool, dry place.