The BCD is not the lightest item of your scuba dive equipment. For example, my Mares Prestige MRS weighs around 4,2 Kg and as we all know when traveling by airplane every gram plays it's part in packing your suitcase. That's why several scuba brands have developed a special light weight BCD for traveling. Let's take a closer look at what is being offered.
I've taken six different well known brands, at least in Europe, to compare with each other: Mares, Cressi, Aqua Lung, Scubapro, Seac and Tusa. With Cressi offering even two different types. To get an better understanding between the differences I've compared them on several criteria. In which the most importants ones, in my opinion, are 'weight', 'lift' and off course 'price'.
| Name | F-light | Air Travel | Travelight | Zuma | Scubapro GO |
Sub Airone |
BCJ 1800 Voyager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brand
|
Mares
|
Cressi
|
Cressi
|
Aqua Lung
|
Scubapro
|
Seac
|
Tusa
|
|
Weight
|
2,2 Kg
|
2,5 Kg
|
2,6 Kg
|
2,2 Kg
|
2,7 Kg
|
2,25 Kg
|
2 Kg
|
|
Integrated
Weights
|
No |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Trim
Weights |
Yes |
No
|
Yes
|
No |
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
D-rings
|
6 |
6
|
6
|
4 |
6
|
6
|
10
|
|
Lift Kg
(Seize M) |
16,4 Kg |
16,4 Kg
|
9,2 Kg
|
15,4 Kg |
13,3 Kg
|
15 Kg
|
11,8 kg
|
|
Material
|
Cordura |
Denier
nylon |
Denier
nylon |
- |
Denier
nylon |
PU coated
nylon |
Denier
nylon |
|
Price*
|
€ 219,- |
€ 319,-
|
€ 279,-
|
€ 249,- |
€ 299,-
|
€ 259,-
|
€ 279,-
|
*Except the 'Zuma', prices come from one single Dutch webshop (www.lucasdivestore.com). This way it was possible to compare prices on a fair basis. Off course prices vary per country and webshop and this isn't even taking certain discounts into account.
Maybe I'm a bit of a Mares fan, taking my current gear in to account. However it's undeniable that the F-light is the winner in this comparison. It has one of lowest weights, biggest lift capacity and has the lowest price. All though it may not be the best looking one it's your best choice.
