If anyone is curious, up top above the shoulders. There are two zippers hidden between the bladder and the straps. Another spot for trim weights if you are leg heavy and need to bring your chest down more.
Its like the industry knows bp/w is the optimal setup for every diver from novice to pro but the suits in the board room know there's no money in just rebranding a piece of steel and some seatbelt webbing.
@@CandyMan2001 , my bcd is back inflated, the point is that wings are good for tec, where you need a double bladder. For rec dive a back plate brings nothing better than a bcd . For me the Best advantage of a wing in rec dive is to have a heavy steel one and be able to ditch the weights.
I have the Exotec, and I must say that I am not satisfied to date. The reason is that during diving, it keeps turning me either to the right or to the left constantly. I've talked to people who also have it, and they face the same problem. I think the issue lies in the rotating hip belt. If it were fixed in place, this problem wouldn't occur. I'm wondering what can be done. Is there a way to make the belt not rotate? Considering the Apeks Exotec is not cheap, such an issue shouldn't be present, and I believe it might not have been thoroughly thought out.
I like how the tank strap is quite low. The Camband on my Oceanic Biolite is really high and I can't mount the cylinder low enough, which means I'm always banging my head on my reg.
I have had one for about 1,5 years now and would like to share an experience I encoutered on a recent dive holiday which I've never had with other BDCs: during the dive I was floating above some others in the group now and again. I found out that their air bubbles got trapped in the folds underneath the bladder and accumulated to the point that it was trying to roll me over. At first I didn't realise this was going on and I was just very annoyed having to counteract an unexpected roll force, until I rolled onto my side to look at a wall and suddenly a whole load of air escaped from underneath the BCD. I'm not sure if anyone at Apeks encountered this during their testing phase but it's pretty annoying.
Would have been nice to have a second (main) tank strap higher up with a couple of trim weight pocket options to distribute some of your weight to the back if you need to work on your trim.
I remember when I started diving thinking how nice it would be having a system like rucksacks have similar to this. Particularly for shore dives with a bit of walk in.
So it’s a black ice with a less comfortable looking back plate🤔 I’ve got a black ice and I love it for my single cylinder stuff, I also have the twinset kit but wouldn’t use it as such. Not sure if this really brings anything to the party other than shiny orange bits.
I have an Aqualung Dimension I3 and was thinking the same. This is just an amped up version of the same style. I love the Dimension I3 as a single tank and travel BCD. Super comfortable and very nice diving BCD.
I like this bcd. i am in the prccess of buying one. I am not sure what to get. It is either this apex or a xdeep zen deluxe. What is your honest suggestion for me?
The elastic straps around the bladder don't increase streamlining as you suggested. In fact, they do the exact opposite, and have a few other negatives that need to be considered: 1) The bungees create folds in the wing which trap air and prevent it from properly finding its way to the high point to vent as you change orientation. 2) The bungees themselves present an entrapment hazard should they become hooked on anything. 3) The bungees act to keep the bladder constrained close to the diver, instead of allowing the wing to float up and cradle the cylinder(s) where that gas confers the greatest attitude stability, because the center of buoyancy is then maximally higher than the center of mass. By holding the bladder close to the center of mass, it is easy to roll, but more difficult to hold steady at any desired angle of roll. 4) The aforementioned folds in the wing created by the bungees defeat the flattened streamlined shape that is otherwise assumed by an unconstrained wing, increasing relative drag. 5) The bungees create positive pressure within the bladder when it is inflated, which will act to forcefully dump the wing in the event of a tear in the bladder or failed corrugated hose fitting, exascerbating the problem and potentially causing a complete loss of buoyancy in an emergency. 6) The positive pressure acts to create a lung loading problem, even when the wing is functioning properly, acting against oral inflation. 7) The positive pressure complicates the potential use of the BC inflator as a tertiary backup regulator by inhaling from the oral inflator while depressing both the inflate and deflate buttons simultaneously.
Is this the thing you were talking about having an embargo on until 1st May? That’s weird because my dive centre has had these on display in the shop since early March!!
@@tontsyy I live in Grand Cayman and dive “warm water”. I found this bc to be to bulky with much more lift than I need. After flying over to one of our sister islands and having air get trapped in the donut on a dive and unable to get the gas escaped and have “rolling issues” with it, having to abort the dive, that was it for me. If you dive cold water in a dry, have at it. Not a proper bc for warm water diving…went with a more minimalist bc.
Can you give any good recommendations? I am new and a little overwhelmed with all the choices available. I don't have a limitless budget either, so anything I buy needs to last. :( The life of being an underpaid public servant.
@@Hinru13 I have a Tecline Donut 22 SE. It's a wing for a twinset but you can buy a smaller wing and it will work for a single tank if that's what you like. Also XDEEP sell quality wings, I've used a Zeos (this one is for a single tank) a couple times and have nothing but good words to say about it. Both these brands sell quality stuff for cheap so I highly recommend those. I recommend a steel backplate so you can take less lead with you but if you want to travel an aluminium one will also do the trick.
As review says their chasing the Inbetween market. A niche I'm currently slotting in to! I currently have an xdeep zeos which I'm not a big fan of. I love the plate and wing for the trim and stability it provides. But the minimalistic set up isn't for me. For example you only have one dump option on your left kidney which limits your options for dumping air of you have a hand occupied or in an unsuitable body position. The position of the the inflator hose also isn't great and the harness system isn't overly comfortable. I can see the utility in a set up like this. As it gives the trim of a wing& plate but with functionality of a traditional BCD. Although it is very expensive
@@Laoch86 I don't think you really need much more than these two options for dumping gas though Anthony. If you're a bit heads up then use the inflator (which allows you to dump from the suit simultaneously) and if you're a bit heads down use the kidney valve, you only really use your left hand either way. For the kidney dump a little trick you can do is to move the bead on the string as close to the valve as possible and tie a knot so that it is very close to the valve. That way it's much easier to find it, you reach back to touch the valve and you can feel the bead with the string almost immediately and support your hand against the valve when pulling it. And if you don't like your minimalistic harness you can always swap it out for a different one with a bunch of padding, adjustment straps, chest strap and extra D-rings (although I've never felt I needed any of those things - but you're free to do it if you feel like you need to). That's kind of the beauty of the BP/W. If you don't like anything about your current setup you can switch out the components for something you like more. I'd never buy this BCD in the video but then again - it's your money and if you like it - go for it :)) Edit: If you want more options for dumping gas though you can always opt for an inflator with an integrated dump valve on top. I know tecline offers one, don't know about XDEEP. The way that works is that if you pull the inflator hose it opens the valve at the top of your wing and dumps gas without you having to lift the inflator hose up and hit the button.
Hard pass. Just another high end price tag for something thats comparable to a cheaper alternative. Give me a comfy jacket style BCD with all the metal parts and a crotch strap and i will be sold. I cant even tell you how bad the industry needs a single tank bullet proof jacket style bcd with a crotch strap that will not only make the bcd more secure allowing your trim weights to actually do their job, but it will also allow the use of a dpv. Watch a sidemount diver with a dpv get into the water from shore...and a bcd diver with a dpv get into the water from shore....youll understand my desire!
![ทุกครั้งที่หลับตา (Lucid Dream) - AYLA's [ Official MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4i1OBAQyv58/mqdefault.jpg)
If anyone is curious, up top above the shoulders. There are two zippers hidden between the bladder and the straps. Another spot for trim weights if you are leg heavy and need to bring your chest down more.
Would be very interested in a comparison video between this and the scubapro hydros pro? As they both seem pitched at same position/ market.
Its like the industry knows bp/w is the optimal setup for every diver from novice to pro but the suits in the board room know there's no money in just rebranding a piece of steel and some seatbelt webbing.
💯
Nope. Try teaching in a pool or shallow water with a BP/wing. I know many experienced divers and instructors that prefer bcd over bp/wing.
@@CandyMan2001 , my bcd is back inflated, the point is that wings are good for tec, where you need a double bladder. For rec dive a back plate brings nothing better than a bcd . For me the Best advantage of a wing in rec dive is to have a heavy steel one and be able to ditch the weights.
I have the Exotec, and I must say that I am not satisfied to date. The reason is that during diving, it keeps turning me either to the right or to the left constantly. I've talked to people who also have it, and they face the same problem. I think the issue lies in the rotating hip belt. If it were fixed in place, this problem wouldn't occur. I'm wondering what can be done. Is there a way to make the belt not rotate? Considering the Apeks Exotec is not cheap, such an issue shouldn't be present, and I believe it might not have been thoroughly thought out.
I like how the tank strap is quite low. The Camband on my Oceanic Biolite is really high and I can't mount the cylinder low enough, which means I'm always banging my head on my reg.
I have had one for about 1,5 years now and would like to share an experience I encoutered on a recent dive holiday which I've never had with other BDCs: during the dive I was floating above some others in the group now and again. I found out that their air bubbles got trapped in the folds underneath the bladder and accumulated to the point that it was trying to roll me over. At first I didn't realise this was going on and I was just very annoyed having to counteract an unexpected roll force, until I rolled onto my side to look at a wall and suddenly a whole load of air escaped from underneath the BCD. I'm not sure if anyone at Apeks encountered this during their testing phase but it's pretty annoying.
Great video, thanks for the info. This is on my wish list but probably the grey version.
They should have made it AquaLung and kept Apeks technical gear only.
This is just what i was thinking.
Would have been nice to have a second (main) tank strap higher up with a couple of trim weight pocket options to distribute some of your weight to the back if you need to work on your trim.
The Exo has two additional trim pockets up around the shoulders on the wing. The reviewers keep missing it, as they’re semi-hiding.
You should put the bcd on so we can see the actual size in a person. Love your reviews.
Is it possible to use double scuba tanks for diving in Apeks Exotec?
I remember when I started diving thinking how nice it would be having a system like rucksacks have similar to this. Particularly for shore dives with a bit of walk in.
How does this compare to the scubapro hydros pro
So it’s a black ice with a less comfortable looking back plate🤔 I’ve got a black ice and I love it for my single cylinder stuff, I also have the twinset kit but wouldn’t use it as such. Not sure if this really brings anything to the party other than shiny orange bits.
I have an Aqualung Dimension I3 and was thinking the same. This is just an amped up version of the same style. I love the Dimension I3 as a single tank and travel BCD. Super comfortable and very nice diving BCD.
I like this bcd. i am in the prccess of buying one. I am not sure what to get. It is either this apex or a xdeep zen deluxe. What is your honest suggestion for me?
So you can't replace the single wing for a double down the road?
Can i use it with twinnset 2x7L 300bar ?
If they made a stainless backplate in that color I would buy it for my BP/W setup!
Yes, exactly
I love mine.
This works well with a 20L?
Looks sexy but I don't see any advantage over one of their classic BP&Wing rigs, and a lot of extra dangly straps.
Does anyone know if exotec support bi-cylinder mount as black ice? Thanks.
The elastic straps around the bladder don't increase streamlining as you suggested. In fact, they do the exact opposite, and have a few other negatives that need to be considered:
1) The bungees create folds in the wing which trap air and prevent it from properly finding its way to the high point to vent as you change orientation.
2) The bungees themselves present an entrapment hazard should they become hooked on anything.
3) The bungees act to keep the bladder constrained close to the diver, instead of allowing the wing to float up and cradle the cylinder(s) where that gas confers the greatest attitude stability, because the center of buoyancy is then maximally higher than the center of mass. By holding the bladder close to the center of mass, it is easy to roll, but more difficult to hold steady at any desired angle of roll.
4) The aforementioned folds in the wing created by the bungees defeat the flattened streamlined shape that is otherwise assumed by an unconstrained wing, increasing relative drag.
5) The bungees create positive pressure within the bladder when it is inflated, which will act to forcefully dump the wing in the event of a tear in the bladder or failed corrugated hose fitting, exascerbating the problem and potentially causing a complete loss of buoyancy in an emergency.
6) The positive pressure acts to create a lung loading problem, even when the wing is functioning properly, acting against oral inflation.
7) The positive pressure complicates the potential use of the BC inflator as a tertiary backup regulator by inhaling from the oral inflator while depressing both the inflate and deflate buttons simultaneously.
Which BCD do you like?
@@John-sn4hl i guess he dives naked, perfect streamline, no positive pressure...geez so many nerd and wing fans in this leisure today...
😢 “WHAT HE SAID” - HUH - NAH - IT’S A DAMN GOOD BCD!
Is this the thing you were talking about having an embargo on until 1st May? That’s weird because my dive centre has had these on display in the shop since early March!!
Black Diamond? Is that the Black ice one?
I think he meant the black ice, yeah.
That one looks nice
Does a dumpy cylinder sit ok on this bcd?
but what about the exotec-s
#askmark what on earth happened to AP Valves? their BCDs used to be everywhere! now they have vanished
I bought one- sold it after 20 dives. No likey
I’m just looking to buy one. What made you sell it?
@@tontsyy I live in Grand Cayman and dive “warm water”. I found this bc to be to bulky with much more lift than I need. After flying over to one of our sister islands and having air get trapped in the donut on a dive and unable to get the gas escaped and have “rolling issues” with it, having to abort the dive, that was it for me. If you dive cold water in a dry, have at it. Not a proper bc for warm water diving…went with a more minimalist bc.
For 999$. You can literally buy a BP/W for a third of this price and you'll be much better off.
Can you give any good recommendations? I am new and a little overwhelmed with all the choices available. I don't have a limitless budget either, so anything I buy needs to last. :( The life of being an underpaid public servant.
@@Hinru13 I have a Tecline Donut 22 SE. It's a wing for a twinset but you can buy a smaller wing and it will work for a single tank if that's what you like. Also XDEEP sell quality wings, I've used a Zeos (this one is for a single tank) a couple times and have nothing but good words to say about it. Both these brands sell quality stuff for cheap so I highly recommend those. I recommend a steel backplate so you can take less lead with you but if you want to travel an aluminium one will also do the trick.
@@MultiHunterOne thanks for the recommendations sir
As review says their chasing the Inbetween market. A niche I'm currently slotting in to! I currently have an xdeep zeos which I'm not a big fan of. I love the plate and wing for the trim and stability it provides. But the minimalistic set up isn't for me. For example you only have one dump option on your left kidney which limits your options for dumping air of you have a hand occupied or in an unsuitable body position. The position of the the inflator hose also isn't great and the harness system isn't overly comfortable. I can see the utility in a set up like this. As it gives the trim of a wing& plate but with functionality of a traditional BCD. Although it is very expensive
@@Laoch86 I don't think you really need much more than these two options for dumping gas though Anthony. If you're a bit heads up then use the inflator (which allows you to dump from the suit simultaneously) and if you're a bit heads down use the kidney valve, you only really use your left hand either way. For the kidney dump a little trick you can do is to move the bead on the string as close to the valve as possible and tie a knot so that it is very close to the valve. That way it's much easier to find it, you reach back to touch the valve and you can feel the bead with the string almost immediately and support your hand against the valve when pulling it. And if you don't like your minimalistic harness you can always swap it out for a different one with a bunch of padding, adjustment straps, chest strap and extra D-rings (although I've never felt I needed any of those things - but you're free to do it if you feel like you need to).
That's kind of the beauty of the BP/W. If you don't like anything about your current setup you can switch out the components for something you like more. I'd never buy this BCD in the video but then again - it's your money and if you like it - go for it :))
Edit: If you want more options for dumping gas though you can always opt for an inflator with an integrated dump valve on top. I know tecline offers one, don't know about XDEEP. The way that works is that if you pull the inflator hose it opens the valve at the top of your wing and dumps gas without you having to lift the inflator hose up and hit the button.
What a monstrosity, not sure Apeks is heading in right direction
i like your hoddie
Hard pass. Just another high end price tag for something thats comparable to a cheaper alternative. Give me a comfy jacket style BCD with all the metal parts and a crotch strap and i will be sold. I cant even tell you how bad the industry needs a single tank bullet proof jacket style bcd with a crotch strap that will not only make the bcd more secure allowing your trim weights to actually do their job, but it will also allow the use of a dpv. Watch a sidemount diver with a dpv get into the water from shore...and a bcd diver with a dpv get into the water from shore....youll understand my desire!