May '09 Issue: Scuba Lab - 14 New BC's Information Charts
New BCs '09
Skip to Features Chart or Ergo Test Results
Inherent Buoyancy
Measured in the water with size large BCs unless noted.
| None | Less than 1 lb. | 1 -2 lbs. | 2 - 3 lbs. | More than 3 lbs. |
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Mares Prestige MRS Plus |
Aeris 5 Oceans |
Bare Blackwing |
Tusa Conquest |
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Oceanic Cruz |
Bare Voodoo |
Scubapro Glide Pro |
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Scubapro Equator |
Bare Blackjack |
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Cressi Aquaride |
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Cressi Light Jac |
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Cressi Travelight |
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Zeagle Ranger LTD |
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Zeagle Zeus (med) |
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NOTE: Every pound of inherent buoyancy is an extra pound you must carry in your ballast system. When it comes to inherent buoyancy, less is always best.
FLOW RATES
We test flow rates to determine whether or not a BC's deflation valves will stay ahead of the inflation valve to avoid an out-of-control ascent in the event the inflation valve sticks open. In a heads-up ascent position, starting out with the BC totally empty and loaded with ballast equaling 20 percent of its mfg-stated buoyant lift, the inflation valve was simultaneously activated for 20 seconds with each of the deflation valves. Each time, the BC was checked to see if it was able to remain negatively buoyant. Industry standards require that at least one of the following deflation valves must keep up with inflation.
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Inflator/Deflator Held overhead |
Exhaust Hose Pull Dump |
Alternate Shoulder Pull Dump |
| Aeris 5 Oceans | No | Yes | N/A |
| Bare Blackjack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bare Blackwing | Yes | No | N/A |
| Bare Voodoo | Yes | No | N/A |
| Cressi Aquaride | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cressi Light Jac | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cressi Travelight | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mares Prestige MRS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| Oceanic Cruz | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scubapro Equator | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scubapro Glide Pro | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tusa Conquest | No | Yes | Yes |
| Zeagle Ranger LTD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zeagle Zeus | Yes | Yes | N/A |
2009 BC Review Features Chart
|
Mfg. Model |
MSRP | Cold/warm | Tech rec | resortadvacned | Mainimalsinensive |
Buoy. Lift Mfg stated, in lbs. |
Pockets | Backpack | Bands |
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General Purpose |
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Bare Blackjack |
$500 | Jacket | Mexico | 3 yr. |
4 (s-xl) |
35-48 |
5 (3 zipper 2 velcro) |
Hard | 1 |
|
Bare Blackwing |
$550 |
Back Buoyancy |
Mexico | 3 yr. |
4 (s-xxl) |
48 |
5 (3 zipper 2 velcro) |
Hard | 1 |
|
Bare Voodoo |
$800 |
Back Buoyancy |
Mexico | 3 yr. |
4 (s-xxl) |
48 + 17 |
5 (3 zipper 2 velcro) |
Hard | 1 |
| Mares Prestige MRS plus |
$500 ($425 Prestige) |
Jacket | Bulgaria |
2 yr. Ltd |
6 (xxs-xl) |
30.8- 52.9 |
2 zipper | Hard | 1 |
|
Scubapro Glide Pro |
$599 ($721 w/Air2) |
Jacket | Mexico |
2 yr. Ltd |
6 (xs-xxl) |
22- 50 |
3 zipper | Hard | 1 |
|
Tusa Conquest |
$549 | Hybrid | Taiwan |
1 yr. Ltd |
4 (xs-xl) |
35- 50 |
6 (5 zipper) |
Hard | 1 |
|
Zeagle Ranger LTD |
$857.40 |
Back Buoyancy |
USA |
Ltd Lifetime |
4 (s-xl) |
44 | 3 zipper | Soft | 2 |
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Dual Purpose |
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Aeris 5 Oceans |
$489.95 |
Back Buoyancy |
China | 2 yr. Ltd |
5 (xs-xl) |
40 | 1 roll-down w/zipper | Hard | 1 |
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Cressi Aquaride |
$444 | Jacket | Italy | 2 yr. |
5 (xs-xl) |
20- 45 |
2 zipper | Hard | 1 |
|
Oceanic Cruz |
$479.95 | Jacket | China |
2 yr. Ltd |
5 (xs-xl) |
20- 48 |
2 zipper | Hard | 1 |
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Scubapro Equator |
$572 ($693 w/Air2) |
Jacket | Mexico |
2 yr. Ltd |
5 (xs-xl) |
20- 37 |
2 zipper | Semi-Hard | 1 + 1 |
| True Travel |
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Cressi Travelight |
$444 | Jacket | Italy | 2 yr. |
5 (xs-xl) |
13.5- 36 |
2 zipper | Soft | 1 + 1 |
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Cressi Light Jac |
$444 |
Back Buoyancy |
Italy | 2 yr. |
5 (xs-xl) |
27- 45 |
1 Roll-down Velcro |
Hard | 1 |
|
Zeagle Zeus |
$515.20 | Back Buoyancy | USA |
Ltd Lifetime |
5 (xs-xl) |
24 | N/A | Soft | 2 |
Feature Chart cont.
|
Mfg. Model |
Weight System | Ditchable Weights, in lbs. |
Non-Ditch Weights, in lbs. |
Carry Handle |
Tank Position Strap |
Dry Weight/ Size L, in lbs. |
Additional Exhaust Valves |
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General Purpose |
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Bare BlackJack |
Mechanical | 30 | 10 | Yes | Yes | 9.5 | 2 |
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Bare BlackWing |
Mechanical | 30 | 10** | Yes | Yes | 9.5 | 1 |
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Bare Voodoo |
Mechanical | 30 | 10** | Yes | Yes | 10.5 | 1 |
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Mares Prestige MRS plus |
Mechanical | 26 | 10 | Yes | Yes |
9.5 |
2 |
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Scubapro Glide Pro |
Mechanical | 20 | 10 | Yes | Yes | 9 |
2 |
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Tusa Conquest |
Mechanical | 24 | 8 | Yes | Yes | 9.5 | 3 |
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Zeagle Ranger LTD |
Mechanical | 30 |
20 (ditchable) |
Yes | No* | 10 | 3 |
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Dual Purpose |
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Aeris 5 Oceans |
Mechanical | 20 | 10** | Yes | Yes | 7 | 1 |
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Cressi Aquaride |
Mechanical | 20 | 10 | Yes | Yes | 8 | 2 |
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Oceanic Cruz |
Mechanical & Velcro |
20 | 10 | Yes | Yes | 8 | 2 |
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Scubapro Equator |
Mechanical | 20 | N/A | No | Yes | 7 | 2 |
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True Travel |
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Cressi TravelLight |
Mechanical | 20 | 10 | Yes | No* | 6 | 2 |
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Cressi Light Jac |
Mechanical | 20 | N/A | Yes | Yes | 7 | 2 |
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Zeagle Zeus |
Velcro | 20 | N/A | No | No* |
6 (med) |
2 |
*Carry handle can double as tank positioning strap.
**Trim pockets mount on tank band
Ergo Test Scores '09 BC
| Name |
Ascent Control |
Attitude &Stability |
Weight Ditch |
Valve Op |
Comfort Adjustment |
Assembly |
Weight Loading |
Pockets |
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General Purpose |
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Bare Blackjack |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
4 |
3 | 4 |
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Bare Blackwing |
4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
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Bare Voodoo |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
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Mares Prestige MRS Plus |
4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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Scubapro Glide Pro |
5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
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Tusa Conquest |
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
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Zeagle Ranger LTD |
5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
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Dual Purpose |
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Aeris 5 Oceans |
4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
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Cressi Aquaride |
4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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Oceanic Cruz |
4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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Scubapro Equator |
5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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True Travel |
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Cressi Travelight |
4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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Cressi LightJac |
4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
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Zeagle Zeus |
4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | N/A |
ERGONOMIC CHART EXPLANATIONS
MOST IMPORTANT
- Ascent Control: An evaluation of how easily the BC can be used to control a normal ascent.
- Attitude and Stability: Evaluated while swimming under water to determine if the BC will keep the diver in the proper swimming position without wobbling.
- Weight Ditching: An evaluation of how easy or difficult it is to ditch weights in a simulated emergency situation.
MODERATELY IMPORTANT
- Valve Operation: Evaluated by the ease with which a diver can find and use the oral and power inflators, the oral deflate held overhead, the pull dump and the remote exhaust valve(s).
- Comfort and Adjustment: Checked both in and out of the water with BC strapped to a tank.
MINIMALLY IMPORTANT
- Assembly: Performed on deck without instructions. (Although BC's should be supplied with clear and complete instructions, most divers will not take the instructions with them on the boat. )
- Weight Loading: An evaluation of how easy or difficult it is for a diver to load weights and secure the system while wearing the BC.
- Pockets: Tested in and out of the water, this is an evaluation of how easy or difficult it is to access and use pockets.
Scale of 1 to 5
5 = Excellent
4 = Very Good
3 = Good
2 = Fair
1 = Poor
