My Customized BCD
I want to tell you about my dive gear setup. Since I started working full-time as a scuba professional, I've been using Hollis dive gear. This is the brand I fell in love with. Every dive pro has their own preferences, so I recommend doing your research and picking a brand that works best for you.
My first Hollis BCD was the Hollis Light Travel System (LTS). The LTS is perfect for travelling divers and warm water destinations. It incorporates key features from the popular HD200 and is a weight-integrated back inflation design with 30 lbs (13.6 kg) of lift. It's suitable for single AL80s or steel 85s. The LTS is simple and non-modular, making it easy to stow and weighing only 5 lbs (2.27 kg). It's built to last with a rugged 1000-denier nylon wing and a 420-denier urethane laminated internal nylon bladder.
The LTS features a 5 lbs (2.27 kg) integrated weight system, a comfortable back pad, and adjustable torso and waist webbing straps with squeeze-style side-release buckles for easy donning and doffing. It also has chest and hip D-rings for accessories or sling bottle attachment. Bungee cords keep the bladder low profile and aid in rapid deflation when needed. The cylinder attachment is simple with a single nylon webbing lightweight plastic/steel wire cam band with an extruded rubber friction pad and top squeeze-style side-release buckle stabilizer strap.
The Hollis Gear power inflator mechanism, with a cable-activated shoulder pull dump exhaust valve, provides precise buoyancy control. The inflator system is made from durable, impact-resistant plastic with a corrugated rubber hose. Internal components and the inlet quick-disconnect nipple are made from chrome-plated brass. The LTS is available in multiple sizes and comes with a 3/8" threaded low-pressure quick-disconnect hose and an owner's manual.
This setup has been reliable and efficient for my diving needs. If you're looking for gear, check out Hollis and see if it’s the right fit for you. For more details on the Hollis Light Travel System, visit this link.
I recently upgraded my dive gear from the Hollis LTS to the Hollis ST22 system, and I couldn’t be happier with the change.
The LTS served me well, especially for warm-water destinations and travel. But as a guide for diving groups in Cozumel, comfort and performance are paramount. That’s why I opted for the ST22.
The ST22 wing has been a revelation. Its design promotes excellent horizontal trim and surface flotation, making my dives more controlled and enjoyable, even when leading groups. And durability? Top-notch. The rugged 1680 Cordura nylon exterior and 420-denier nylon bladder ensure it can handle whatever Cozumel’s waters throw at it.
With 22 lbs (10 kg) of lift, it’s perfect for both aluminum and steel tanks, providing the buoyancy needed for various dive scenarios. Plus, the integrated tank slots and cradle streamline the setup, reducing bulk and weight.
The Aluminum Backplate 2.0 complements the wing perfectly. Its ergonomic design and lightweight construction ensure a comfortable fit without sacrificing durability. And with the addition of the Backplate Back Pad 2.0, lumbar support is excellent, making long dives a breeze.
Overall, the upgrade to the Hollis ST22 has significantly enhanced my diving experience in Cozumel. If you’re in the market for a reliable, comfortable, and high-performance dive system, I highly recommend giving the ST22 a closer look.
You have two options when it comes to the Hollis ST22 system: you can order it pre-assembled here, or you can take the route I did, customizing your setup for a more minimalist approach.
For my personal system, I carefully selected each component to ensure I didn't need to add any additional weights when diving. Here's what I chose:
Hollis ST22 Wing: Designed for warm water dives in aluminum cylinders, this wing offers low lift and maximum streamlining. It provides excellent buoyancy control with its 360-degree tapered profile, making it ideal for my needs.
Aluminum Backplate 2.0: This lightweight and durable backplate serve as the foundation for my setup. It's laser-cut from EN AW 6061 aluminum and hard-anodized for a marine-grade finish.
Hollis Solo Harness System: The Solo Harness System is clean, simple, and foolproof. It's designed to meet the needs of demanding pro divers like myself, with stainless-steel D-rings and a latch-style waist buckle for added security.
Single Cylinder Mounting Plate: This stainless-steel mounting plate allows me to add more weight to my system, and help to keep the tank stable and secure. It's easy to install and comes equipped with mounting bolts, washers, and two stainless-steel cam bands for added stability.
By customizing my system in this way, I've achieved a minimalist setup tailored to my diving needs. Whether you prefer to order the ST22 system pre-assembled or customize it like I did, you can trust in the quality and performance of Hollis gear.
If you're interested or have any questions about the individual components mentioned, contact me.
Happy diving!
Your Scuba Instructor Jay
