High-Performance, High-Quality
I had never dived an Atomic Aquatics BCD, but I fell in love with their TFX regulator when I was able to test it before it hit the market, so I was excited to try out the BC2. I had never used a BCD with this type of material before, so I didn’t know what to expect. Made from a double coated polyurethane, rather than nylon, that even at its strongest, isn’t as strong as what the BC2 offers.
To be honest, the BC2 is a little bulky for my personal taste. During testing, it felt stiff and rigid. But I’m sure if I was used to wearing a more encompassing BCD I’d feel differently, or I could come to like it after extensive use. Maybe it “wears down” a little, almost like breaking in a pair of cowboy boots that become more comfortable the more you wear them.
While lightweight (under 10 pounds), the BC2 is not ideal for travel when space is limited. If you do have the space, however, the BC2 makes for a great BCD on your next trip. My assumption is that this is due to the material from which the BC2 is constructed, and may become more pliable over time.
One of my favorite features on the BC2 is the ratcheting CAM-LOK tank band. The concept is similar to ski boots, in that the ratcheting band adjusts quickly to any tank size, and the center buckle locks everything in place. I love this feature so much, I may buy a couple ratchet bands to put on my own BCDs.
The model I tested also had the SS1, or “Streamlined Safe Second” in place of a traditional octopus. When breathing, I couldn’t tell the difference between my high-performance octopus and the SS1, attached directly to the BC2. While I personally prefer a traditional octopus, I can see the benefit of having your redundant air in the same place as your inflator hose, especially for travel when space and weight are limited.
Overall, the Atomic Aquatics BC2 BCD is top-notch. It takes some getting used to. It’s rather stiff and bulky out of the box. The double-coated polyurethane material, while making it strong and durable, will take some time to break in.
Slippers break in a lot quicker than a nice pair of boots. The same concept applies here. It is quite expensive. But if you can afford it, and you want a BCD that is tough as nails, does its job nearly perfectly, and looks sharp, then this is the BCD for you. Check out our rundown of all the best BCDs.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
The Atomic Aquatics BC2 is a back-inflate, wing-style BCD. While a little bulky in areas, due to its thick, non-pliable construction, the BC2 only weighs between 9.5 and 10.5 pounds, depending on the size.
The BC2 gives a lot of lift, so being comfortable at the surface is just as easy as being comfortable underwater. The ML size offers 36 pounds of lift.*
With four titanium-coated, stainless steel D-rings you can be assured that all your gear will remain secure throughout your dive, as well as those bumpy boat rides.
Comfort is important, and the BC2 meets those requirements with adjustment points at the shoulders, waist, and chest. Not only will the BC2 fit nearly every body shape and size, it includes padding along the back, taking the tank pressure off your back.
The integrated weight pockets can hold up to 10 pounds each in the ML model, and all sizes can hold from six to 10 pounds in non-ditchable trim weights.**
*Lift capacity: S: 30 lbs.; M: 34 lbs.; ML: 36 lbs.; L: 45 lbs.; XL: 47 lbs.
**Ditchable trim weights: S, M, ML, L: 10 lbs.; XL: 14 lbs.
Accessories
Atomic Aquatics is known for its regulators and BCDs, but they offer a wide variety of gear including masks, fins, snorkels, and even knives. We think divers can’t go wrong with a great mask. After all, if you can’t see, you won’t have a good time. Check out our review of one of the highest-rated masks on the market, the Atomic Aquatics Venom Frameless mask.
Price/Quality Ratio
The Atomic Aquatics BC2 BCD is one of the more expensive BCDs on the market, and it definitely falls into our “luxury” category. But when you pay for Atomic Aquatics equipment, you are paying for quality. For starters, the BC2 is one of the most rugged and durable BCDs you’ll find. Because of the double coated polyurethane material it is made from, nothing is ripping the BC2.
Next, consider all the features you get with the BC2. The EZ-LOK integrated weight system is a breeze to use, in or out of the water. Each has a zippered pocket (more like a zippered slot) with two plastic D-rings, situated above the weight pocket. There’s plenty of room to store your small gear, including two separate pockets, outside of the smaller slots mentioned above. These are more “traditional” pockets where you can stow extra equipment.
Four stainless steel, titanium-coated D-Rings and a padded back and shoulder straps make the BC2 both easy to clip gear onto and comfortable as well.
Do we recommend the Atomic Aquatics BC2?
We do recommend the Atomic Aquatics BC2 BCD. Pricey, for sure, but you get a lot for your hard-earned dollars. This is a great BCD for novices, because it is easy to use, is forgiving, and it’s tough enough to last an entire dive career. Veteran divers will appreciate the high quality, dive after dive dependability, and the assurance of performance that Atomic Aquatics is known for .
The price may scare away new divers that have limited resources after paying for classes, regulators, and other gear, but as the saying, especially in diving, goes, “Buy once, cry once.” it’s always better to spend a little more on a top-notch piece of equipment than having to buy the same piece of equipment twice, ultimately costing more in the long run.
But don’t let the sticker shock you that much. What the BC2 offers in terms of durability, features, and ease of use make it worth almost every penny.
Specifically, the titanium-coated, stainless steel D-dings are rugged and dependable—these D-rings can hold any gear you choose to clip on. We also really like the ratchet strap tank band. This makes changing tanks of any size a breeze.
Speaking of durability, the BC2 is made from strong double-laminated polyurethane textile material. That’s just fancy words for “the BC2 can hold more pressure, and won’t snag or rip.”
Specs & Features
| Inflation | Back inflation |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.5 to 10.5 pounds (size S to XL) |
| Lift capacity | 36 pounds (size ML) |
| Clips/D-rings | Four stainless steel and four plastic |
| Adjustment points | Shoulders, waist, and chest |
| Tank attachment | One ratchet band |
| Weight capacity | Ten pounds each pocket ditchable (ML); 20 pounds total non-ditchable |
Take a moment to look at this.
