43 replies to this topic

[georoc01]

Back plate and wing all the way. They weigh less than most bc's, they make you trim in the water. They are durable, they take weight off your waist and move it to your back and you usually need less lead to sink as they don't have a lot of extra bulk or padding. They don't take up much room and Heidi aka uwfan just got a great travel bag that she packed ALL her dive gear and travel clothes in that she was able to CARRY ON THE PLANE!!!

(Be looking for that bag on SD VERY SOON!)

Also you can use the same bp/w for your local heavy duty diving as well as your traveling light weight diving. And you can get the wing in RED or PINK for those that are interested.

It is the best investment in timeless dive gear that I have made and we have AWESOME deals with DeepSeaSupply and OMS and some with DiveRite.

Let us know!

Wow that's great! My issue with that has always been fins. Since neither pair of fins seems to fit in my carry on, I am forced to a checked bag.

[scubabjs]

I had a Zeagle Scout, It packed real small. Was a back inflate and weight integrated to boot.

I liked the BC for what it was, but it did have a tendency to ride up high, could benefit from a crotch strap.

Mike

I have been diving my first generation Zeagle Scout for about 14 years now, and I love it for it's lightweightness (I know it's not a word).
Down side with it is it has no structure so it is a little harder to get into, and the default tank strap was pretty weak. I have
since replaced the tank strap with 2 cam-like tank straps that hold any tank securely. It has weight pockets on the back, around
the tank so all lead is on your back, and they can be dumped if you needed to do so. The 2nd gen scouts now have pockets on the
front for weights as well.

I can fit all my gear except for my fins in a carryon bag to include a 19cf pony, and a 2nd reg (48lbs). TSA allows carry-on bottles now, which has changed recently. Fins (Mares Quattros) I strap to the back of my computer/camera backpack.
If you want a lightweight BC the Scout is a great option.

Bjs

[uwfan]

Heidi aka uwfan just got a great travel bag that she packed ALL her dive gear and travel clothes in that she was able to CARRY ON THE PLANE!!!

(Be looking for that bag on SD VERY SOON!)

Wow that's great! My issue with that has always been fins. Since neither pair of fins seems to fit in my carry on, I am forced to a checked bag.

There were a few features that sold me on the bag... one being the fin pocket that allows my fins to fit in the bag. When I put the bag in the overhead compartment of the plane, I just put it in top first so the fins would bend slightly to conform to the narrower section of the compartment.

[lv2dive70]

...
I can fit all my gear except for my fins in a carryon bag to include a 19cf pony, and a 2nd reg (48lbs). TSA allows carry-on bottles now, which has changed recently. Fins (Mares Quattros) I strap to the back of my computer/camera backpack.
If you want a lightweight BC the Scout is a great option.

Bjs

I have to say, seeing Brian all packed up with carry-on's only (including a pony), for a 4 day liveaboard, was definitely an eyeopener that it *could* be done... and challenged me to see if I could do it! To my surprise I was able to make it up to NC for a weekend trip with carry-on's only, including my work and personal computers. (I have to admit I did not carry fins as was trying them from the dive shop.)

However - my new fins do not fit in my old dive gear carryon, so I am interested in options that will accommodate them. I look forward to this new option on SD.com!

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

I am trying 'only carry-on' for the first time next week, when I go for 4 days to Key Largo. All the dive gear looks like it will all fit well in the bag going in the overhead compartment, but the backpack that goes under the seat -- and has to share the space with my long legs and big feet -- may be larger than I'd like. We'll see.

The bad thing about 'only carry-on'??? Can't pack my favorite adult beverage....

[scubaski]

You'll have no problem with the personal item, wait until all the seats nearby you are full and overheads are closed and then try to find space overhead for you personal item, BTW there's no rule that says you can't store your carryon bag near the front of the plane. I always watch for the people that put in there bags lenght wise as opposed to wheels in 1st or last in the overhead, and will nicely address the correct way to the offender. Don't ask me about big floppy straw hats!!!!

[scubajunkie6]

Back plate and wing all the way. They weigh less than most bc's, they make you trim in the water. They are durable, they take weight off your waist and move it to your back and you usually need less lead to sink as they don't have a lot of extra bulk or padding. They don't take up much room and Heidi aka uwfan just got a great travel bag that she packed ALL her dive gear and travel clothes in that she was able to CARRY ON THE PLANE!!!

(Be looking for that bag on SD VERY SOON!)

Also you can use the same bp/w for your local heavy duty diving as well as your traveling light weight diving. And you can get the wing in RED or PINK for those that are interested.

It is the best investment in timeless dive gear that I have made and we have AWESOME deals with DeepSeaSupply and OMS and some with DiveRite.

Let us know!

Kamela, any update on this bag? Mark and I have been seriously wondering how much we can travel via carry on, but I suspect our gear is too big & heavy. Will probably talk to you soon about a BP/W, after the
Scuba FleaMarket in October.
Thanks,
Margaret

[scubaski]

Yes tell us about the carry on bag. Does it have wheels and a handle?? or a true back pack style??

[Parrotman]

If I could find a carryon that fit my fins I would be ecstatic. I travel light and the only reason I even have two bags is because of my fins. I will be interested to see the info on this bag as well

[scubaski]

AquaLung has 1 called the Departure Bag, designed for thier new fins, Hotshot and Zuma BC. I've pool tested the Zuma and would buy for tropical travel. I know everyone has favorite gear that they like to hold onto.

Edited by scubaski, 15 September 2010 - 07:34 PM.

[lv2dive70]

AquaLung has 1 called the Departure Bag, designed for thier new fins, Hotshot and Zuma BC. I've pool tested the Zuma and would buy for tropical travel. I know everyone has favorite gear that they like to hold onto.

I bought the Zuma a couple of months ago when the inflator hose blew on my bp/w on a trip. Yes a replacement hose would have been cheaper :-) but I was working through some other issues with it too and I tried on the zuma and fell in love. It is a great travel bc. I like the weight distribution on a bp/w better but the Zuma is a great alternative.

[Greg@ihpil]

Mike,. Noticed your post. I decided to take a brake, from here.. I've come up for air LOL.Anyway,Since I had received my cert for Dry suit..Getting IN and OUT of your BC, can be challenging at times..I have been looking into the Scuba Pro KnightHawk.Its a Bladder type,but... plenty of room for acess with a Drysuit.Also a integrated weight system.The other One might be is a Oceanic Excursion...They are both priced in the $450.00 to $500 range. The Zuma mentionted earlier is also a very nice "Travel Bc"For the $$ I want to look into a diverse Bc,than just TRAVEL.Good luck on your quest...

[WreckWench]

Greg great to have you back!

To all: I hope to have an update on the bag soon...got a lot of catch up from traveling on both gear and trips to do...its all coming now!

[uwfan]

Yes tell us about the carry on bag. Does it have wheels and a handle?? or a true back pack style??

If I could find a carryon that fit my fins I would be ecstatic. I travel light and the only reason I even have two bags is because of my fins. I will be interested to see the info on this bag as well

The bag is a backpack with wheels and handle. The backpack shoulder straps can be tucked into a pocket if you aren't using them and you have the option to use it as a backpack too. It has a fin pocket that extends out for long fins (like my US Blades from the 90s) and when I've put it in the overhead, I just make sure I put it wheels out and the fins bend just enough to fit into the back of the compartment with the rest of the bag - essentially laying on top of the bag though in a separate section of the bag. Fits great even with the slightly smaller height at the back of the compartment.