My first BCD as I have always hired in the...

My first BCD as I have always hired in the past - wanted something that was going to last and this appeared to fit the bill - just completed 7 day diving holiday in the Canaries and more than pleased. Comfortable, loads of lift and made inverting, etc. in the water effortless. Only one point - the dive school switched the tank strap the moment they saw it as, although the system was simply brilliant for switching tanks - it is a concern when boat diving, they had seen the clasp often get caught on the line and open.

A very comfortable BCD with lots of features

A very comfortable BCD with lots of features. There are plenty of clips to attach any gear you want with you that wont fit in the generous sized pockets. The zips are still a little tricky to operate underwater with gloves on but no more so than any other BCD I've used. The weight system isn't as quick to release as other brands (eg. Mares, Aqualung to name just two) but support your weight securely and provide an ideal alternative to having all your weight on a belt or harness. The trim weight pockets round the back are a great touch for getting your weighting right without causing posture issues. The cylinder band is by far the best fastening mechanism on any BCD I have ever used. The metal 'super cinch' fastener holds the cylinder tightly and feels much more secure than the traditional cam band of other BCDs. When inflated the BCD feels very comfortable and has more than adequate lift capabilities. It's little pricey, but all the top of the range BCDs are, and if you want a BCD that will last you a while then this is the one to go for. The service from Simply Scuba was fast and efficient as always.

This is the first BCD I

This is the first BCD I've bought and recently came back from Sharm El Shiek after using it for 12 dives. Pockets:- slightly tricky to get into and close whilst diving but not a major headache. Inflator / deflator:- Good at inflating and can add a very fine amount, deflating fine until you dont have much air in there and then you kind of have to tilt your body upwards towards the valve to deflate it, (dont know if this is the same with other BCD's). Weight pockets:- I had 3kg in each pocket with room for more, I rekon you could fit 5kg in each. Plus room for 1kg in each of the trim pockets on the rear. The BCD does tend to tip you forward at surface if you've too much air in it, so let some out and it's fine, or put some weight in your trim pockets. Alternatively kick back and lay on your back, then relax. I found it a comfortable BCD on the whole and have no regrets buying it.

A Great Bullet proof BCD

A Great Bullet proof BCD. I like the fact that the dump valves and LPI are the same as a BCD I have from 2004, goes to show it just works.

Really not worth how much it costs

Really not worth how much it costs. The pockets are very hard to get into whilst wearing it, the cylinder strap can be awkward when changing cylinders of different sizes, the inflator is very slow, and the weight pockets are far too small. Its not terrible, I just think its just not worth the hype and price.

Got one of those a few months ago

Got one of those a few months ago. Like the other people who wrote reviews for it, I've got to say it IS bulletproof! The only thing I don't like too much about it is that is too heavy to take with you if you're diving abroad. Other than that, worth every penny. For single cylinder diving, is PERFECT!

Given the punishment my equipment gets and my legendary laziness...

Given the punishment my equipment gets and my legendary laziness when it comes to looking after it properly, anything I own has to be pretty much bomb proof if it is to last any length of time. In fact even bomb proof isn’t always enough: I once managed to break a Maglite. I was in the market for a new BCD and took a look at the video review of the T-Black. “Ideal for people who want a piece of kit that will last a long time and take a lot of abuse” it said. It certainly looked the part, and so I placed an order, quietly confident that my soon-to-be-patented Equipment Destruction Test would see it off in fairly short order. A few days later it arrived. I unpacked it, and broke it almost immediately. In fairness it was a faulty zip that snapped off the first time I operated it, and so back it went for a replacement (great service from the guys at Simply Scuba, too). Having used the T-Black for a while, all I can say is that I am extremely impressed by the quality of this BCD. It is very comfortable, has plenty of lift, a great LPI, the best cam band system of the lot in my view, and the whole thing is about as close to indestructible as it gets. What more could you ask for?

Great bc

Great bc, good materials and plenty of d rings.

Very robust

Very robust, very well made, not too heavy, plenty of d rings and great buoyancy controls. Sweet.

T

T-Black gets my vote!!! I've been really impressed with this BCD really easy to use, very comfortable, great deisgn, lots of pocket space and the integrated weight pouches. I bought this BCD because I intend to become an instructor so the added ability to overflow the air capacity via expandable air pockets work really well just incase you need some extra lift say in the event of unavoidably having to bring someone to the suface. The only problem I had with the T-black was locating the emergency air dump valve although this could souly be down to the fact that I have to wear very thick gloves that restrict feel/touch as I dive of the Isle of Man brrrr apart from that I highly recomend the T-Black....Treat yourself you won't regret it.