ScubaLab: BCs - BARE Curve
Specifications
| Style | Back Buoyancy |
| Warranty | Three Years |
| Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.) | XS/S-35, S/M-35, M/L-35, L/XL-35 |
| Integrated-Weight System | Yes |
| Dry Weight | 9 lbs., 5 oz. (Size S/M) |
| Price | $550 |
| www.barescubadiving.com |
Features:
- 1,000-denier Cordura construction
- Padded, hard backpack with carrying handle
- Remote exhaust valve T-handle toggles
- Adjustable padded cummerbund with zippered key pocket
- Molded carry/lift handle
- Eight prebent stainless-steel D-rings
- Multiposition sternum strap
Performance:
Female test divers found the Curve a very functional BC, delivering above-average ascent control with a very usable valve system. It also adjusted well, hugging divers’ bodies and providing a stable ride underwater. The integrated-weight system loaded and ditched ballast pouches efficiently, and the cargo pockets, while small, were well positioned for easy access. In virtually all ergo test categories the Curve delivered stellar performance. Test divers thought the straps were “big” and the color scheme wasn’t as attractive as other models. Said one test diver, “This is a very nice BC, but nothing about it seems feminine.”
Bottom Line:
According to Bare this BC is popular among drysuit divers, and we believe it. Our female test divers rated it a rugged, well-put-together rig with some nice convenience features, but it might be a BC that shouldn’t be marketed solely to women.
| 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| |
Specifications
| Style | Back Buoyancy |
| Warranty | Three Years |
| Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.) | XS/S-35, S/M-35, M/L-35, L/XL-35 |
| Integrated-Weight System | Yes |
| Dry Weight | 9 lbs., 5 oz. (Size S/M) |
| Price | $550 |
| www.barescubadiving.com |
Features:
- 1,000-denier Cordura construction
- Padded, hard backpack with carrying handle
- Remote exhaust valve T-handle toggles
- Adjustable padded cummerbund with zippered key pocket
- Molded carry/lift handle
- Eight prebent stainless-steel D-rings
- Multiposition sternum strap
Performance:
Female test divers found the Curve a very functional BC, delivering above-average ascent control with a very usable valve system. It also adjusted well, hugging divers’ bodies and providing a stable ride underwater. The integrated-weight system loaded and ditched ballast pouches efficiently, and the cargo pockets, while small, were well positioned for easy access. In virtually all ergo test categories the Curve delivered stellar performance. Test divers thought the straps were “big” and the color scheme wasn’t as attractive as other models. Said one test diver, “This is a very nice BC, but nothing about it seems feminine.”
Bottom Line:
According to Bare this BC is popular among drysuit divers, and we believe it. Our female test divers rated it a rugged, well-put-together rig with some nice convenience features, but it might be a BC that shouldn’t be marketed solely to women.
| 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| |
