Scuba Jackets

Innovation in the Travel BCD In today's world of travel we are strictly confined by airline weight restrictions. The design of your equipment needs to be travel friendly. New for 2007 the Icon from Mares is the ideal BCD for traveling. It is lightweight sturdy incredibly comfortable and fully accessorized. The Icon incorporates the new Quick-Pak system which makes it easy to compact the BCD for transport with a few simple moves. Once closed it is minimal in size and fits easily into your suitcase or a small travel backpack. The Icon's backmounted bladder provides high lift capacity when needed as well as complete freedom of movement. Other features include:

Buddy Ranger BCD We have already had the pleasure of reviewing the Buddy Commando at at Zerovisibility and we were impressed by the functionality and impressive wear of this jacket. Our one real concern was the lack of an integrated weight system. Integrated weights are certainly in vogue and very popular with divers in tropical regions where far less weight is needed to dive. With less weight needed it is far easier and more comfortable to dive with integrated weights rather than the separate belt. So with this all in mind AP Valves has created the Buddy Ranger. We received the impressive TD version which has more D rings available than the normal Ranger. This BCD retains the strong construction of the famous Commando jacket. The jacket has a twin bag construction and has a very strong look to it. The Commando we reviewed looked virtually indestructible and we have no reason to believe this jacket is any different. As we said in the Commando review many divers have AP Valve jackets that have lasted 10 or more years and are still going strong! So we already know the jackets basic design is proven and good so what about the new integrated weight system? The Ranger features two quick-release weight pouches either side of the BCD. These can take 5KG each. Thus giving 10KG removable weights in the water. The weights sit reasonably comfortably in location and feel secure. They are held in place with velcro and this is a good solution to the weight problem. I would say I prefer the weight system on the Diva LX and also the Mares jacket. However this system is better than that seen on the Tigullio and the Saturn BCD jackets we have reviewed before. There are some good quality handles on the pockets so that they can be dumped quickly and easily should the need arise. Again this is not difficult to do and better than the Tigullio and the Saturn BCD jackets. This jacket as standard comes with a 0.4 litre cylinder for emergency use. This again is a useful addition and as we have said previously anything that can make diving safer sounds good to us. One slight disadvantage is that this obviously increases the weight and this can be a problem for traveling divers. This BCD is certainly not a lightweight option! The buckles and straps are the same as the Commando. We liked these buckles previously as they were not only much more robust looking than other BCD jackets but easy to use. They are of a different style than other jackets but this style has been used for maximum strength and this allows the use of twin sets through to quads. Very impressive claim and better than most BCD jackets at this price. Again the styling of the Ranger is very similar to the Commando before we thought that there many jackets available that are more attractive. However the jacket in black looks purposeful and looks the part. The jacket has large D-rings for attaching equipment and in this aspect is better than the other BCD jackets currently tested by Zerovisibility.

Description: Is there a way to achieve ideal buoyancy both on the surface and underwater? From an analysis of the internal distribution of the air masses comes a real solution: SBS. Sequential Buoyancy System (Pat. Pending). This system allows the Hover BC to be inflated accordingly to a correct sequence: first in the back, and then in the front. This brings obvious advantages to the diver; the air is initially distributed around the tank, for an ideal position when swimming underwater, and only fills up the front when the BC is fully inflated, to provide a secure and comfortable lift on the surface. The Hover doesn't just offer the right balance but also, thanks to the rear bag, a considerably increased vertical lift. The construction of the BC is very rugged, and uses high strength materials such as Cordura 1000 and Nylon 840 D. The rear buoyancy bag, in particular, is constructed using the Double Bag technique, reinforced with an external abrasion-proof mesh and held in by sturdy marine elastic bands, to minimize the "wing" effect and allow for quick air discharge. The front features a classic style cut, designed to provide maximum stability The two front pockets have been designed with particular care, for true capaciousness and practicality, with a double slider zip closure. The Hover BC can be fitted with the Integrated Weight Device system of releasable front weights, and with the Trim Pocket rear buoyancy correction system. It comes equipped with a complete range of accessories, and is characterized by great attention to detail - in perfect T52 style. Technical Features Design: Special Combi Buoyancy - SBS Casing: Single Bag Front, Double Bag Back Materials: Metalflex-Cordura 1000 - 840 D Nylon D-Rings: Stainless steel Cummerbund: Dual Rapid Extension Backpack: Comfort-grip Tatex Power Inflator: Micro Touch Dumps Valves: 4

Description: Ultimate technology and freedom of movement specially conceived for a leisure-professional bc vest. Icaro Tech will surprise you for its ease of movement and lightweight, combined with a superlative performance. An optional line of accessories gives it further practical and omfort. Details: Materials: main bladder in Cordura 1000 PU resinated, inner bladder in Nylon 210 PU resinated, shoulder pads with expanded draining padding, corrugated hose in EPDM. Type of BCD: double bladder with large inner volume Dump valves: 2 with traction command Backpack: lightweight and tempered naval-aviation alloy Inflator: piston type with chrome-plated metal mechanisms, increased inflation flow, 62 cm. EPDM corrugate tube Harness system: system for reducing the tightening effort of shoulder straps Weight in air (regular size): gr. 3.050 D rings: six 50 mm D rings in lightweight naval-aviation alloy Tank connection system: double fastening band