2008 mid-price BCD review

The mid-priced BCDs go before the Sport Diver Test Team this month with the coveted Best Value and Choice awards once again up for grabs. Understandably, the six BCDs on test were suitably more equipped, with all featuring integrated weights, but also heavier.
As before, each BCD was weighed dry, and the lift was calculated by piling weights on a fully inflated jacket in the water. With test team member Tony still in the market for a BCD having been persuaded to hang onto his cash following the budget test last issue, we’ll let you know which he chooses.

Oceanic Islander £325

Weight (kg): 3.06
Lift (lb): 30
D-rings: 4
Pull dumps: 1
Pockets: 4
Integrated weights: Yes
Trim pockets: Yes
Extras: Two octopus clips, two carabinas, material loops.
Contact: www.oceanicuk.co.uk

Mark: This is an ideal travel BCD, it’s light and minimalistic and will pack small. The pockets are easily accessible and big enough for a small reel and SMB. Integrated weights are awkward to find, but the inflator dump is rapid.

Martin: The novel style of integrated weights make the pockets small. I don’t like the fact the integrated weights are out of sight, but they do work okay. Buoyancy is good, it’s comfortable, but it lacks a shoulder dump.

Tony: I couldn’t find the weight pockets easily and I don’t like the trim weight pockets on the cylinder band. Needs a shoulder dump.

John: The quick drop weights would be a problem for me if I was taking them out to get in a RIB. The trim weight pockets look like an after-thought. Chest strap is more of a neck strap for me.

Stuart: It’s tricky to get used to the weight releases. It was quite comfy and a good looking BCD. Pleasantly surprised.

Simon: Very light but not a lot of buoyancy, otherwise it’s very nice and I like it a lot. Pockets are a bit small and I can’t see the point of the carabina.

Dave: Good for travelling. Cold do with a shoulder dump and looks okay. I’m not a fan of the integrated weights which are very hard to find once the BCD is on. I like the non-dumpable pockets which detach. I’d appreciate the padded shoulder in a wetsuit.

Scubapro T-Force £309

Weight (kg): 4.22
Lift (lb): 51
D-rings: 6
Pull dumps: 2
Pockets: 3
Integrated weights: Yes
Trim pockets: Yes
Extras: None
Contact: www.scubapro-uwatec.com

Mark: This is a good looker and has everything on it. Excellent weight pockets and very comfortable. Power inflator is fab although the pockets let it down. Good BCD for the price.

Martin: Looks fantastic – the best in the group, as are the integrated weights which are the easiest to use. I like the steel cylinder band too. Everything works well, except the pockets which I find tricky to get in to.

Tony: This feels good quality and has a good weight system. Fit is very nice and comfortable, with good support. It kept me high on the surface, although the pockets are not huge.

John: Not the best weight clips and the kidney dump was difficult to find. Well made, and a good performer.

Stuart: Good looking, well made, it’s got everything I’d want. Really good weight releases, which work well, as does the power inflator, which is comfortable to hold.

Simon: I like this one. It’s good looking, has a well-padded backplate and the dumps work well. It held me high in the water. Pockets are in a poor position.

Dave: You get a lot of BCD for a very reasonable price. If you buy a Scubapro BCD you know you’re getting a well-made BCD. It’s very comfy and I like the integrated weight system, it’s up there with the best. I like it a lot.

Seac Sub P2K £299

Weight (kg): 3.84
Lift (lb): 46
D-rings: 4
Pull dumps: 2
Pockets: 3
Integrated weights: Yes
Trim pockets: Yes
Extras: None
Contact: www.beaversports.co.uk

Mark: Understated looks and large pockets, which are easily accessible. Integrated weights take some getting used to. Pull dumps are good and there’s lots of lift at the surface. Not a bad jacket.

Martin: Looks-wise it’s okay. Not the best integrated weights. An average BCD as nothing stands out.

Tony: Looks good. Big pockets and held me well in the water. Everything seemed to work well.

John: Could do with a couple more D-rings. Quite a lot of lift on the surface. Performs well, a good all-rounder.

Stuart: Well padded backplate. Lots of buoyancy, but weight pockets were tricky to use in the water.

Simon: Weel-padded backplate and good pockets. It’s comfortable and my head was well out of the water on the surface. In the water it’s excellent, a lovely piece of kit.

Dave: This look sbetter than its more expensive sibling, the Pro 2000. I like the adjustable harness, and the cam band adjusts too. Pockets are easy to get into, and it feels unencumbered around my chest. A good mid-priced BCD.

Seaquest Pro QD £329.95

Weight (kg): 4.1
Lift (lb): 54
D-rings: 8
Pull dumps: 2
Pockets: 2
Integrated weights: Yes
Trim pockets: No
Extras: None
Contact: www.aqualung.co.uk

Mark: Looks basic, but it’s got everything you want. Comfrtable, accessible pockets, and excellent integrated weights. Rapid dumps and power inflator.

Martin: Plenty of D-rings, looks basic, but pockets are more than adequate sized and easy to get into. Weight releases work well, and it tipped me slightly back on the surface, which is good.

Tony: Looks well-made, although I’m not a fan of the shoulder clips. Pockets are the best here. I never quite got comfortable, but it held me in a good position in the water.

John: I like the swivel shoulder dumps. Performance was okay, but it seemed to ride quite high on me. Shoulder and kidney dumps are very small.

Stuart: Easy to undo shoulder clips. Everything was comfortable, and fitted me well enough and performed well.

Simon: It’s quite light, but I’m not a fan of the shoulder clips. Inflated it’s rib-popping and seemed to ride up. Not the one for me.

Dave: Well made, with simple looks. I like the adjustable shoulder clips and the good integrated weights system. Comfortable in the water and a nice position on the surface. One of the better ones in the group.

Tusa Platina Evolution £298

Weight (kg): 4.28
Lift (lb): 50
D-rings: 9
Pull dumps: 2
Pockets: 2
Integrated weights: Yes
Trim pockets: Yes
Extras: Removable carabina
Contact: www.cpspartnership.co.uk

Mark: Has everything you want and is well-built with all the extras. Very comfortable and an excellent weight system and plenty of lift on the surface. Rapid pull dumps and accessible pockets.

Martin: Well-equipped, looks a good BCD for the price. I like the adjustable cummerbund, weights are fiddly to get back in. Pockets are good.

Tony: I like this one. Has everything you want. Very nice, plenty of support, and the air is in all the right places. Everything felt good.

John: Sturdy looking and has everything you need. Good in every position, and stable underwater. Everything worked well.

Stuart: I like the weight release system. It’s a good looker. Everything is in the right place and works well. A good design – I like it.

Simon: Nice style. I’d prefer the weight release handle to be bigger. Comfy on the surface with lots of lift. All-round, surprisingly good.

Dave: Heavier than some but well made. Simple, clean lines. Nicely padded shoulders and easily accessible pockets. Head is held slightly back on the surface which is nice. Nice comfy BCD – wraps around my body nicely. I like the integrated weight system, and the way you can adjust the shoulder straps on the backplate.

CONCLUSION:

It was clear throughout testing as each diver surfaced with their opinions, that not one BCD stood out for the wrong reasons. All were very good for the money, in what is a very competitive price bracket, and it was genuinely very difficult to pick a winner. It was noted that there has been a clear improvement in budget BCDs since we last conducted a group test in 2006.
Some testers were initially sceptical about some models’ lack of basic features – D-rings, zippered pockets, dump valves etc, but having dived them all agreed that these are all budget BCDs that work well. With three coming in at under £200, there’s hope for us all during the credit crunch!
So how did we pick the two winners? There were four that were up for consideration: IST, Seaquest, Scubapro, and TUSA. The IST and TUSA went head to head for the Choice award, with both having an impressive array of toys. Before we even got in the water most of the testers liked the looks and features on both the IST and TUSA. In the water the TUSA edged the IST thanks to an excellent integrated weight system, despite criticism of its lack of a shoulder dump valve. A quality BCD at a great price.
The Seaquest and Scubapro were neck and neck when it came to price and features, with the latter a touch lighter if you’re going to be traveling. Testing was also very close, with both putting in a very strong performance. However the Scubapro had fewer negative comments made about it, was more comfortable, and the power inflator found favour with most testers. Both are excellent value for less than £200, but we’d choose the baby in the Scubapro range.