Best Buoyancy Control Device: Guide To Buying A BCD For Scuba Diving

A buoyancy compensator which is also called BC, is the base for your scuba diving gears. The professional divers pay close attention to the BCD style as one slight cause can throw everything whack underwater. Some of the best buoyancy control devices are available all over the market. You need to pick the right one for you. We have conducted real-world testing to get the best out of coat-style hybrid, back inflation, and backplate or wing BCD, and these have resulted in the best scuba gears.

We have reviewed some of the best scuba gears and the latest ones. Check them out-

Some of the best jacket and hybrid BCs-

1. Aqualung mniSeac DQ-pro
2. Hog hybrid pro
3. Scubapro X black
4. Genesis origin

Back- inflation BCs

1. Cressi skorpion
2. Dive rite hydro lite
3. Atomic Aquatics BC2
4. XS scuba phantom SL

Backplate-wing BCs

1. OMS mono wing 27
2. TUSA BC0502B t wing

Now the above are the names of some of the best and the latest models available
Let us study them in detail, that how we test them-

Ergo test –

The test was performed at the Blue Grotto Dive Resort in Williston, Florida, by divers with slides and waterproof test sheets. They recorded its performance and gave a scaling score, the scale measured from 1 to 5, in which five were excellent and one poor.

There are some amazing feature provided-

1. Attitude and stability –
   These buoyancy control devices provide the best stability when swimming in vertical positions, and they provide a sense of control of attitude and trim.
2. Highly adjustable –
   They provide a range of adjustability and are highly adjustable.
3. Streamlining –
   They provide great streamlining and noticeable drag underwater in depths.
4. Setups –
   They have hose attachments and have great security.
5. Loading weights –
   They are easy to load and have an integrated weight system.
6. Comfort –
   They are easy and comfy both in and out of the water.
7. Storage facility –
   They have access to pockets, loops, and D rings to store accessories.
8. Value operation –
   It is easy to control the deflating of the power inflator manually.
9. Surface floating position –
   It provides comfort and stability while at the surface.
10. Pulling Weight System –
    The ability to lose weight quickly; protection from accidental drag
11. Ascent control –
    They are easy to control ascent rate and attitude.

Objective Test

Before selling them, it is greatly important to test whether they are up to the mark. In addition, it is important to measure their performance and safety.

So we conducted three tests in the swimming pool.

1. Flow rate
2. Buoyance lift
3. Inherent buoyancy

1. Flow rate –

   Flow Rate We tested the capabilities of each BC’s exhaust system to prevent the uncontrolled rise in the event of a power outage. At a depth of 10 meters, each BC, while loaded with 20 percent of the boom lift, held straight while the power inflator and high outflow were done simultaneously for 20 seconds. Industrial standards require that, in the end, BC never raise well. Then, the power inflator and the upper exhaust were activated simultaneously. The test concluded that the buoyance devices have not become positively buoyant.

2. Buoyance lift –

   To conduct this test, each buoyance device was inflated with a power inflator and mounted upright to a buoyant bucket neutrally. Then the bucket was loaded with weight progressively until the buoyance would not support another pound without sinking.

3. Inherent buoyance –

   This test was conducted to check the weighting requirements that how a buoyance control device would get affected. To perform this, they submerged the buoyance, and the air was carefully removed from the air cell, padding, pockets. Then, the weights were increased to half a pound and added until the buoyance control device would further not support it and sink.

   These were the above test that was conducted to test the BCs.

Let us know more about the best BCs-

Jacket and hybrid BCs

1. Aqualung Omni –

   These are jacket-style modular aqua lungs designed with an outbreaking outlaw and rogue back. They are available in different sizes and colors. They are designed keeping in mind the waist, shoulder, and back components. It uses clip-on fittings, which can be released with a simple tool.

   See the size that fits you perfectly, and we have 27 of them. They have relatively narrow adjustment rates at the waist. There are six colors available so that you can swap colors and accessories such as octo and gauge holders. They have great storage pockets, such as cargo pockets. It is so comfortable and hugs your body perfectly. The test rating is good to excellent, and it provides great stability on the surface.

2. Search DQ-pro

   It may appear a little hefty, but they have proven to be light-weighted. It provides air cells above the waistline and has the horizontal bungee attached to it behind the waist. It provides a well-balanced feel because the harness snug as it reduces the squeeze. The testers have provided five score comfort, and it has excellent floating stability. This is one of the favorites out of multiple other brands. It also provides good positioning for ditching.

3. Hog hybrid pro

   It gives much more of a jacket look than back inflation, and the integrated pockets require large side panels. The weighted pockets snug to the waistline perfectly and secure it. It is designed greatly to provide comfort and security. It has red web loops on the side flaps of the pocket, which are secured by Velcro and are overlapping the corners.

4. Scubapro X black

   It is made up of heavy-duty, but it has become cozy and provides great stability. The testers have given five scores for their comfort and stability. It weighs more than 10 pounds, but the harness hugs the body nicely, providing the Xblack a good score for streamlining. It also has great value operation and ascent control. It is built to last and is the number one choice for the divers.

5. Genesis origin

   This is designed basically for entry-level divers. It is greatly affordable and is integrated with weight pockets. It has performed well and has scored well for stability, comfort, streamlining, and ascent control. It is adjustable, and the pockets can hold up to 10 pounds and are simple to load.

Back- inflation BCs

1. Cressi scorpion –

   It can handle up to 20 pounds of weight and can handle chores underwater. It works well both as a wetsuit and drysuit. It has zipper pockets that make it easy to access things. It has extra storage. It has a really good streamlined profile, and it has also passed the ascent ratings. It has a light-weighted harness, but it can lift to 40 pounds. It has gained a top score in comfort and streamline; also, it has incredible stability. The pockets are boxy-shaped and have a good storage capacity. It is the best choice for the back-inflation BCs.

2. Dive rite hydro lite –

   The outlook of the dive rite hydro lite is designed using stainless steel. It has double tank straps that go well with the doughnut-shaped bladder. It can handle the weight up to more than 30 pounds. It is comfortable ad has super comfy padding at the back and on the shoulder, can be released with a hook opening. The most incredible thing is that it is light in weight, but it is designed for heavy-duty.

3. Atomic Aquatics BC2 –

   It is laminated with coated fabrics, and it is unique details that are a gear geek’s dream. It has low friction pull that integrates like in and out like the doors of the luxury car. It has been provided with the top score for excellent integrated weights and eases to setup.

4. XS scuba phantom SL –

   The SL stands for the spread of your lead. It has around 1 pound of ankle weight and a shoulder trim pocket. It has scored high in Inefficiency and stability and is highly controllable. It has an overall good surface floating position. And the backplates are super adjustable.

Back plate-wing BCs

1. OMS mono wing 27

   It provides a travel-friendly 27 pounds of the mono wing. It provides excellent stability and comfort. The ascent control is also good and tidy, it has two exhausts, and one of them does the job of pull the dump. It has integrated weight pockets that are secured and provide easy movements.

2. TUSA BC0502B t wing –

   This falls into the category of the lightest BC because of its narrow aluminum backplate, and the harness provides snug fitting. It has great scores for stability and attitude control. It can be used for a wide range of diving and is highly customizable. For those interested in wing BCs and for backplate diving, this is the best choice.