Comments about Aeris EX Lite Travel BCD, Black:

If you buy this for daily dive training as a dive master or instructor you have missed the point. This is an extra light BC designed for travel. I first dove as a kid in 1970. A lot of design changes since then, first in harnesses and then later in BCs. I now have a couple of BC's that maximize comfort and/or functionality--but they are bulky. This BC gives you the minimum needed for comfort, weight, and functionality, and yes, durability. And it packs outstandingly,being both small and light. Every year I have been lugging one of my standard BCs on cruise ships to destinations throughout the Caribbean. This year I am flying to Hawaii. The ex-light BC is the newest revolution in BC's. If you plan to travel or dive on vacation, then buy one! Not to mention the price is outstanding. If you live near a reef then buy something with more comfort, pockets and D-rings.

Comments about Aeris EX Lite Travel BCD, Black:

Pretty nice setup for travel, extremely light. The front pockets can either be used for weight or storage, or both if you dive with very little weight. Im a big guy and put 5 lbs in each pocket. The weight distribution is nice and doesnt push you forward in the water.

It could use a couple of D rings, but all in all it will get you thru a vacation. Compared to my Zeagle Scout it is much lighter and 14 pounds more lift. But the Zeagle is more adjustable and has a set of pockets.

Comments about Aeris EX Lite Travel BCD, Black:

well built and great grea fo rthe $$$

Comments about Aeris EX Lite Travel BCD, Black:

Used this BC during my Divemaster training over 3 pool sessions. It is essentially a water wing with a bunch of straps attached to it.

This is the first problem. There is seemingly a million straps that all feel like the same one. So, when you try to put the BC on in the water, you can't tell which one goes around your waist or your shoulder. So, it's fine if you're boat diving, do a giant stride, and come back on the boat on a dive ladder. But if anything goes awry, you're going to have problems with this BC.

The second problem is the "flexible" waist strap. The elastic on the belt is way too flimsy and flexible, so you never get a solid attachement around your waste.

There are four weight pockets, two dumpable on the belt, and two non-dumpable on the rear near the tank. This thing forces you in a face-down position so that you are never comfortable on the surface and always struggling to keep you face out of the water. The weight pockets are small and may not hold more that 16 lbs (4 lb per pouch).

Storage and rings are nonexistent. Don't plan on bringing anything down with you.

The inflator attachment hose is smaller than my Mares BC, so it's impossible to swap the combined inflator between BC's.

All in all, its a functional floatation device that fits nicely in a rollaboard suit case. With some compact fins, you can travel pretty light. But this is not a good BC for "real" diving. If you're going to go skimpy on the BC, then just leave it home and rent one when you get there. You'll save money by not paying the baggage charge and not have to carry around a wet BC>

Comments about Aeris EX Lite Travel BCD, Black:

I purchased two of these BCs. One for my fiance and one for myself. She is a brand new diver with about 20 dives. She put it on got in the water, and when she got out stated, "I like this better than my other BC". She will probably use this BC for all dives. I like the streamlined approach of a wing and harness. This is very close. It has plenty of lift. The integrated weight pockets work well. There are ample D-rings. One drawback for travel is that it is not as compact as other BCs. It has a hard back plate. Still very compact and lightweight. Besides, the back plate and handle make it convenient on trips. Additionally, my fiance and I had no problem adjusting this BC. In fact, now that we have made the adjustments we simply undo two buckles and slip out of the BC.