I dove with my pro hd compact for the first time yesterday. It's my first BCD so I don't have a wide range of BCD to compare but it was extremely easy and comfortable to swim with. So glad I decided to go with this BCD and not a jacket style. Absolutely love it
Love your vids, Bob! Just unboxed my Pro HD Compact, and one suggestion: to adjust sternum straps, PUSH IN then slide up or down. Took a minute to figure it out, but your example was very helpful!
It took me a while to find but between the right pocket and the surelock system there space to fold up your octo. I dove it in the pool and it was very comfy
Bob, On most reviews of Aqualung BCDs you mention the design of the inflator hose. I appreciate you mentioning that because for me I am leaning toward Aqualung for that very reason. What else steers you to Aqualung if you don' mind me asking? Thank you
Thanks Steve for your question and being part of the channel. I tend to be about the little stuff on my dive gear. The inflator/Deflator to some maybe bulky but it makes operating it so nice. The hose itself with the side track and upper clip for the hose keeps it neat and streamlined. Other items like the knife grommets, smooth zippers, pre bent D-rings in the right locations, trim and slim bolster sides, quick detach tank and valve straps, No big back plate, trim pockets and the Wrap-ture waist system is very comfortable. Thanks for your question, sorry for the delayed response. Bob C
Hi Bob, just got mine and super eager to try it! I tried it on the store and it is super comfy. One question I have is the reason of the velcro behind the top tank strap. Cant figure out the purpose of it. 🤔
Dreoni, That BCD is built in modular form. The Straps/Back-Panel are separate from the Bladder. That upper velcro closure you see somewhat hidden behind the Valve Strap, is the through connection for the Back-Panel at the top. If you look down you'll see where the Tank Strap routes through the bladder and in through the lower portion of the Back-panel holding those parts together. Thanks and enjoy, look forward to your comments after you've had a chance to make some dives with it. Regards Bob C
will this connect to a standard regulator set connector hose? By that I mean if I am hiring my regulator set from a dive centre will the standard inflator hose connect with this bcd or do I have to use the braided connector hose supplied with the bcd?
Hi USER ! You can just use what you've got unless there's a Octo-Inflator on the other BCD you're renting, but most likey it's the standard inflator connection. Thanks for the question. Bob C
Thanks for your reply, Just out of interest which do you think is best out of the Aqualung pro HD or the Scubapro Litehawk. I’m leaning towards the Litehawk due to the two tank strap system for tank stability. I also like the fact you can dump air by pulling on the breather hose. I do however like the pockets, and adjustable chest strap on the aqualung. Hmm hard decision. Regards Tom
@@THOMASMELODY-RUPNIK Two completely different BCDs. One Jacket and one Back-Inflate One Travel and one general purpose Vest. One light-weight- one not so lite weight. One with internal back-plate and one without. One with BP has single strap with valve strap other without BP has two straps (it uses the tank for rigidity) Both do have left hose pull dumps, and right shoulder dumps. One big pockets other has connection points. Like comparing a sports car to a pickup truck. Great idea for video ! Regards Bob C
It looks great but I have not found one review from anyone who has dove with it has anyone you know dove with this BC yet, Obviously that is the true test of BC. Thanks!
Jeff, That can be a broadly answered question. As a Travel BC the Compact is certainly far lighter both in weight and quality of construction. But the Crux cost more. Can you travel with the Crux, certainly so... Features wise, the Crux is much more substantial and feature rich. It has excellence all over it with small pockets, attachment points, trim pockets and connections points. So it depends on what you want it to do for you. Here's a vid on the Crux. ua-cam.com/video/u0VKnHuMr58/v-deo.html
Basically a lightweight, well working, comfy bcd. What's missing is a) a shoulder strap quick release to slip out of the bcd when still in the water, e.g. to hand it to the boat guy if you want to exit out of the water without carrying the bcd yourself. And b) larger rings to hang on equipment
Thanks Timbuktu for your comment. Must agree that it's very a minimal BCD but that's the reasoning about no QR buckles or larger D-rings. I'm all about light-weight, but it is barely there... People love it though. Regards Bob C
I dove with my pro hd compact for the first time yesterday. It's my first BCD so I don't have a wide range of BCD to compare but it was extremely easy and comfortable to swim with. So glad I decided to go with this BCD and not a jacket style. Absolutely love it
Congrats Kenny, The HD Compact feels like you're not hardly wearing a BC. Super light-weight. Regards Bob C
The red colors are perfect for instructors
You really can't discount this comment, when vis isn't great nice if everyone isn't all black or blue... especially the instructors.. Thanks
Love your vids, Bob! Just unboxed my Pro HD Compact, and one suggestion: to adjust sternum straps, PUSH IN then slide up or down. Took a minute to figure it out, but your example was very helpful!
It's a very cool BC, I like the color. I'd probably add a couple of trim pockets on the tank strap. Thanks for your note. Regards Bob C
Just picked one up and can't wait to try it out!
Let us know how it performs Jake ! Bob C
Bob always on point 🔥🔥😎
It took me a while to find but between the right pocket and the surelock system there space to fold up your octo. I dove it in the pool and it was very comfy
Use an Octo Holder and attach it to the D-ring at the top of the right bolster.
Bob,
On most reviews of Aqualung BCDs you mention the design of the inflator hose. I appreciate you mentioning that because for me I am leaning toward Aqualung for that very reason. What else steers you to Aqualung if you don' mind me asking? Thank you
Thanks Steve for your question and being part of the channel. I tend to be about the little stuff on my dive gear. The inflator/Deflator to some maybe bulky but it makes operating it so nice. The hose itself with the side track and upper clip for the hose keeps it neat and streamlined.
Other items like the knife grommets, smooth zippers, pre bent D-rings in the right locations, trim and slim bolster sides, quick detach tank and valve straps, No big back plate, trim pockets and the Wrap-ture waist system is very comfortable.
Thanks for your question, sorry for the delayed response. Bob C
Bob,
Thanks for the timely and detailed response.
Steve
measuring 40" waist and over my shoulder 49"( as per sizing chart) chest 46"
Hi Bob, just got mine and super eager to try it! I tried it on the store and it is super comfy. One question I have is the reason of the velcro behind the top tank strap. Cant figure out the purpose of it. 🤔
Nevermind! It's just how the bladder and the backpack section connect
Dreoni, That BCD is built in modular form. The Straps/Back-Panel are separate from the Bladder. That upper velcro closure you see somewhat hidden behind the Valve Strap, is the through connection for the Back-Panel at the top.
If you look down you'll see where the Tank Strap routes through the bladder and in through the lower portion of the Back-panel holding those parts together. Thanks and enjoy, look forward to your comments after you've had a chance to make some dives with it. Regards Bob C
will this connect to a standard regulator set connector hose? By that I mean if I am hiring my regulator set from a dive centre will the standard inflator hose connect with this bcd or do I have to use the braided connector hose supplied with the bcd?
Hi USER ! You can just use what you've got unless there's a Octo-Inflator on the other BCD you're renting, but most likey it's the standard inflator connection. Thanks for the question. Bob C
Thanks for your reply, Just out of interest which do you think is best out of the Aqualung pro HD or the Scubapro Litehawk. I’m leaning towards the Litehawk due to the two tank strap system for tank stability. I also like the fact you can dump air by pulling on the breather hose.
I do however like the pockets, and adjustable chest strap on the aqualung. Hmm hard decision. Regards Tom
@@THOMASMELODY-RUPNIK Two completely different BCDs.
One Jacket and one Back-Inflate
One Travel and one general purpose Vest.
One light-weight- one not so lite weight.
One with internal back-plate and one without.
One with BP has single strap with valve strap other without BP has two straps (it uses the tank for rigidity)
Both do have left hose pull dumps, and right shoulder dumps.
One big pockets other has connection points.
Like comparing a sports car to a pickup truck.
Great idea for video ! Regards Bob C
It looks great but I have not found one review from anyone who has dove with it has anyone you know dove with this BC yet, Obviously that is the true test of BC. Thanks!
Jeffrey, You are so right. Diving is believing... in most cases. FYI: This unit is super new on the market and in limited supply. Regards Bob C
@@DiversSupplyYT I have one coming tomorrow and I am diving Aug 6 - 12. Will report back.
Excellent Jeff, Look forward to seeing your report. Dive Safe Bob C
@@DiversSupplyYT Got it today. Really gorgeous. Looks perfect. Can’t wait. I will send a few short videos from my dives with it.
question on sizing? How does it fit? Looks like there are only a few sizes MLL and XL2xL. I'm in the top range of the MLL and the bottom of the XL2XL
Give me Chest and Waist measurements and I'll see what I can figure out.
measuring 40" waist and over my shoulder 49"( as per sizing chart) chest 46"@@DiversSupplyYT
How does this compare to the Sherwood crux
Jeff, That can be a broadly answered question. As a Travel BC the Compact is certainly far lighter both in weight and quality of construction. But the Crux cost more.
Can you travel with the Crux, certainly so... Features wise, the Crux is much more substantial and feature rich. It has excellence all over it with small pockets, attachment points, trim pockets and connections points.
So it depends on what you want it to do for you.
Here's a vid on the Crux.
ua-cam.com/video/u0VKnHuMr58/v-deo.html
Bob would you purchase this over the HOG ?
If you're talking about the HOG Pro Travel BCD then yes I would... Thanks for the question Bob C
@@DiversSupplyYT is it a better made product with better materials?
If only it could be all in black and also have a second pocket...rest ist perfect and great it is so light
Yea, it would be nice it have it exactly like we want. Sadly there's always either something extra we don't need or the reverse. Regards Bob C
What is the difference between this BCD and the Zumba?
It's a Name swap that's about basically it..
What is the lift of this BC?
A lift capacity range of 22 lbs to 34 lbs, the XXS/XS and S/M with 22 lbs and the ML/L, XL/XXL with 34 lbs... Thanks Bob C
Basically a lightweight, well working, comfy bcd. What's missing is a) a shoulder strap quick release to slip out of the bcd when still in the water, e.g. to hand it to the boat guy if you want to exit out of the water without carrying the bcd yourself. And b) larger rings to hang on equipment
Thanks Timbuktu for your comment. Must agree that it's very a minimal BCD but that's the reasoning about no QR buckles or larger D-rings. I'm all about light-weight, but it is barely there... People love it though. Regards Bob C
It looks like my Zuma
You are correct !
Changed name from Zuma and added orange color.
Yes sir pretty much ! Thanks Bob C