Features of the Dacor Nautica BC

• Expanding belt system that contracts as you descend: BC inflation or descent does not interfere with the overall fit of the Dacor Nautica.
• High-positioned, pull activated dump valve.
• Weight system integrated into the back, which is suitable for ankle and block weights.
• 2 x front weight pockets with a 16lb combined capacity.
• Firm “FlexPak” cylinder locking strap holds your air in place.
• The Nautica’s air cell is of the single bladder variety: it expands away from the body so does not squeeze when it is inflated.
• An overpressure/dump valve positioned low on the Nautica makes for easy air release in any position.
• Ample padding at each body contact spot.
• 4 x useful D-rings.

Why Dacor’s Nautica is a Safe Bet

So we have established that Dacor’s Nautica is not the fanciest BC on the block but it delivers everything that most recreational divers would require. In fact many experienced divers continue to use the Dacor Nautica as a testament to this.

The Nautica is a comfortable and reliable buoyancy compensator ideally suited to all environments apart from extreme situations where a more rigourous BC would be required. As a result the Dacor Nautica is a more competitvely priced option for those who never intend to dive in wrecks, caves or under ice. Having said this it is made with a fairly durable nylon material and so it can take some rough treatment.

The Dacor Nautica also has some nice touches such as the weight pockets, which are well placed to enable an almost perfect swimming position, a well sized and positioned ditchable weight system at front as well as the air cell that inflates outwards. The Dacor Nautica is also well padded and comfortable and can be adjusted to fit many different shapes and sizes.

Dacor Nautica Review Summary

The Dacor Nautica BC is a nice little performer that is very well priced. It gives good lift and can be deflated easily and quickly. Although it might not tick every box for the hardcore extreme diver, the Dacor Nautica should be perfect for most others.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

How so?

Well… the Pearl i3 has a sleek but elegant look as well as a number of design features that make it fit the female physique better than most other BCDs.

Main Features of the Aqualung Pearl i3

• Attractive, stylish and feminine design.
• Patented i3 technology that makes inflation and deflation much easier.
• Multi-dump function that permits the upper and lower dumps to simultaneously respond.
• One way flat e-valve design maintain a streamlined contour to reduce water drag. The one-way e-valves themselves keep water from entering the BCD.
• Ultra comfortable back lining.
• Neoprene roll-collar.
• Integrated sports bra that adds an extra touch of comfort and support.
• SureLock™ weight system that makes loading and unloading the weight pockets a simple act.
• Easy-deploy, pull-down inflator.
• 3 x zipped utility pockets.
• Traction pad to prevent tank slippage.
• Hardwearing and fade resistant Armorshield™ Cordura® construction.
• Multi-setting waist band that can be changed by up to six inches.
• A double adjusting strap across the shoulders enabling “best fit”.

Aqualung’s Pearl i3 also comes in several colors:

• Pearl i3 aqua
• Pearl i3 black
• Pearl i3 pink

The Aqualung Pearl i3: Style and Performance Entwined

The premise of the Aqualung Pearl i3 is clever: targetting female divers with customized dive gear. As such the i3 works on many levels: it looks very feminine, comes in several different colors and offers up all the features you would expect of a quality buoyancy control device.

The Aqualung Pearl i3 Review Summary

Comfort AND functionality have been well thought out. The Pearl i3 has successfully incorporated a padded back lining, neoprene rolling collar and built-in supporting sports bra. The adjustable (by 6 inches) waist-band gives divers the opportunity to find a perfect fit.

The design of the Pearl i3 BCD’s bladder means that it expands away from the back rather than to the sides, resulting in a more appealing shape when inflated. The overall contouring of the i3 also tends to enhance body shape.

The Aqualung Pearl i3’s easy-dump valves, easy-deploy oral inflator, cylinder traction pad, utility pockets and durable materials used in its manufacture shout quality.

The i3 is easy to put on and take off even when fully loaded, and once you are strapped into it adding or removing weights into the weight pockets requires little effort or discomfort.

The Pearl i3 also has useful, usable and well-sized utility pockets and a number of d-rings for clipping your required tools on to.

Combined with its feminine design, the features of the Pearl i3 are certain to make the Aqualung feminine BCD appeal to its target audience.

Chic looking, comfortable and above all truly functional, Aqualung’s Pearl i3 is a real winner.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD (BCJ-3200) is a comfortable BCD designed for SCUBA divers of all levels of ability.

It’s also an economy BCD that incorporates a number of TUSA patented features.

But is the Tusa Liberator BC more comfortable than other BCDs in its class and price range? And does it offer more than your average BC?

What Does the TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD Offer?

TUSA’s Liberator Sigma BCD is constructed with heavy-duty 840 denier nylon shell to give it durability and strength. Its “Advanced Weight Loading System” has been designed to make loading and releasing dive weights a simple activity: the Liberator BCD’s AWLS design allows for the easy switching of weights into/out of “cartridges” located in the front of the jacket and shoulders. Thus the TUSA Liberator BC eliminates the need for an ungainly weight belt.

TUSA Liberator BCD and Stability

The Liberator Sigma BCD has a neat harness system that is independent from the BCD itself and includes two well placed rails in back. Your tank straps to the rails via a stabilizing harness. The harness in turn is connected to the Liberator Sigma’s shoulder straps, which help to support the full weight of your tank.

However, the stabilizing harness remains independent from the actual Liberator BC jacket, ensuring that your tank remains very close to your body regardless of the change in size of the BCD when you inflate or deflate it. This makes the TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD very stable and less likely to cause your tank to roll both underwater and prior to your descent before you even get wet!

Principal Features of the TUSA Liberator BC

• Attractive design constructed with 840 denier heavy-duty nylon for extra strength and ruggedness.
• Clever independent stabilizing harness that ensures tank stability and enhanced bouyancy control.
• TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD AWLS (Advanced Weight Loading System) that removes the need for weight belts.
• Two large and useful front zip-pockets.
• D-ring (made of stainless steel) at right shoulder for attaching accessories.
• Fast inflation and deflation (the TUSA Liberator BCD also includes a quick dump valve at the rear of the jacket).
• Easily-adjusted chest strap.

TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD Review Summary

The Liberator Sigma BCD builds upon TUSA’s solid range of BC jackets. It provides a comfortable fit due in a large part to its stabilizing harness system and the way in which it assists in holding your tank firm while you inflate and deflate your it during your dive.

Its hardwearing nylon ensures it can stand up to most recreational diving environments without complaining.

The Liberator’s weight management system is straightforward, and details such as the obligatory D-ring for clipping your odds and ends onto provide a nice touch. The Liberator Sigma BC also has two very usable and useful zippered front pockets.

Try-Diving’s verdict is that the TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD is a good budget BC jacket for divers of all competencies.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

But how does it stand up?

At a Glance Features of the Sherwood Tortuga BCD

• Simple to use inflator (for both oral and power inflation).
• 3-D air cell which comprises controlled expansion to ensure maximum lift and minimum squeeze.
• Adjustable shoulder area so that you can get in and out of the Tortuga easily.
• 2 x well placed and easily usable zip-pockets.
• Self adjusting waist strap.
• A vent valve on the right shoulder side.
• 4 x stainless stell D-rings.
• Heavyweight 1000 Denier (urethane coated nylon) build.
• Built for QuickClip™ and AKONA BC Pro Kit.

The Sherwood Tortuga: Built for Comfort?

The Sherwood Tortuga is a very comfortable BCD that’s for sure.

The inbuilt soft neck pad around the Tortuga BCD’s shoulders really adds another dimension of comfort over and above other BCDs in its class. The backpack itself is almost sumptuous and padded for maximum comfort.

The way in which the Tortuga is put together gives the wearer a good deal of mobility in that it does not restrict movement as some other BCDs tend to do. There are dump valves on the main inflation hose, on the opposite (right) shoulder area and another on the lower part of the 3-D air cell. The D-rings (there are 4 of them) are made of stainless steel and 2 zipped cargo pockets for your convenience, located in such a way that you’ll be able to find them easily when you are underwater.

Buoyancy and the Tortuga BCD

The word “tortuga” is a Spanish word meaning “turtle”. You can see why Sherwood has named this particular model so. The Tortuga is a back-inflated model that swells up like a turtle’s shell.

Due to its wraparound design and self adjusting harness the Tortuga BCD never gives you a squeezing sensation. As you descend underwater, the width of the bcd allows more space than most for wetsuit squeeze, which again creates a sensation of comfort that most other BCDs do not provide.

As stated, most of the lift provided by the Tortuga BCD comes from the 3-D air cell, most of the surface area of it being in the back area. However, the air pockets wrap around the sides to give you further bouyancy in all the right places.

The design of the backplate and harness of the Tortuga BCD also works very nicely, with emphasis being placed on how it handles weight. Sherwood has included its CQR2 system into the Tortuga, which means that the harness and backplate support all the weight placed on the BCD by tanks and other accessories. The Tortuga’s CQR2 system also includes 2 releasable weight pockets at the front of the BCD, giving the wearer very easy access to them.

Summary Review of the Sherwood Tortuga BCD

The Sherwood Tortuga BCD provides the wearer with good lift and stability but does not restrict movement. It is a comfortable BCD that is easily adjustable and easy to fine tune to your requirements. It fits easily over 7ml suits and is good for warm or cold water use. The rear weight pocket is a little small but this is a relatively minor complaint.

All in all, the Tortuga is a great buoyant little package!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Zeagle BCDs are highly regarded for the following reasons:

• High quality Zeagle construction and a heavy duty build
• Rear flotation design
• Versatility – it can be used for cold water and tropical diving due to its modular build
• It can comprises single and /or twin tanks
• Compatibility – the Zeagle Ranger BCD is compatible with a number of accessories such as pockets, bladders, backplates and many other diving aids and tools.

What are the Main Features of the Zeagle Ranger BCD?

• 30lb capacity Ripcord® weight system
• 44lb lift capacity Ballistic bladder
• 20lb capacity rear trim weight system
• PFS Modular Sizing
• 11″ grommets for twin cylinder mounts (single or twin capability)
• Heavy duty reinforced 1050 denier Ballistic nylon build
• 2 x zipped utility side pockets
• Elastic waist panels that can are easily adjustable
• 4 x stainless steel angled D-rings on shoulders
• 2 x stainless D-rings on vest
• Adjustable chest strap

The Zeagle Ranger BCD is one of the best buoyancy control devices available on the market. It is durable, extremely versatile and compatible with a multitude of dive accessories and and custom dive tools.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars