Dynamic Nord LBC-10 Review
This BCD from Dynamic Nord is the entry-level model in a series of three BCDs. This is the simplest model, and it is designed for divers who dive the way most people do. It is particularly suitable for young divers and dive centres.
Text and photos by Mats Gunnarsson
The first thing I noticed was that the BCD has double buckles on each shoulder strap. This allows it to handle a wider range of body sizes than a regular BCD, without having long straps hanging and getting in the way when diving. That is one of the reasons why it is so suitable for dive centres and for young divers who are still growing.
When you unpack it, you soon realise that it is a classic BCD, with all the features you would expect in this class.
D-rings
Many BCDs have lots of plastic D-rings. But there should only be as many as are actually needed, and they should be able to handle the weight of what you hang on them. On the LBC-10, two extra D-rings have been added to the ones on the shoulder straps, and they are made of aluminium, which is better than many other BCDs in this class! Two D-rings are quite enough for a BCD like this—one for the pressure gauge and one for a lamp or surface marker buoy (SMB), etc.
Mounts and pockets for manometer and octopus
On both sides of the pockets, there are mounts or pockets for the manometer and octopus. This means that no special clips, such as carabiners or octopus attachments, are required on the hoses. All types of regulator sets can be used, which is especially good for dive centres, for example.
Personally, I feel bad when I see divers swimming around with pressure gauges and octopus dragging on the bottom, destroying the corals. After all, the octopus is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment and must be easy to find and quickly deployed in an emergency.
On the outside of the attachment pockets are pockets that close with velcro. Unfortunately, the pockets are not of the belt type, so they do not hold much, but a small SMB with a reel will fit, preventing it from hanging on the outside of the BCD.
Valves and inflators
The LBC-10 is equipped with three dump valves in addition to the inflator. One is on the right shoulder and has a toggle at the end of its cord, making it easy to find at the right breast. Another valve is located at the rear of the right side of the BCD, which is handy when you want to empty it of water on land. The third valve is integrated into the inflator and is activated by pulling downwards on the entire inflator.
The inflator buttons are easily accessible and, above all, easy to press. This was something I had not thought about until I taught my daughter how to dive. When she was 12 and had been in cold water for a while, she could not push the buttons on the BCD she had on at the time—so easy-to-use buttons are a big plus on a vest that many young people will use.
Lifting power
The manufacturer states that the size Small has a lifting force of 90 N (9kg/20lb). But when we measured this, it turned out that the real lifting force was 50% higher! The sample unit we tested had about 140 N (14kg/31lb) in fresh water. According to the manufacturer, the BCD can handle tanks up to 15 litres (120 cu ft), which is true.
Comfort
The LBC-10 has a plastic back plate with thick, soft padding that makes it comfortable against the back. Otherwise, it fits well around the body. The only things that were not entirely comfortable were some fabric joints, especially around the neck. Nylon is usually fused at the ends to prevent fraying, but on this particular sample unit, sharp lumps had formed and were abrasive against the skin. This may be because this was an early sample, and the model has now been rectified. It is important that the BCD can be used without a suit, such as on a pool dive or a test dive. Such lumps are easy to remove by heating them with a lighter and then flattening them.
The material feels durable, which means it will probably last a long time. At the same time, it is not so rough that it will chafe if you dive without a wetsuit or t-shirt.
Single-tank attachment system
The LBC-10 has a standard single-tank attachment system suitable for both small tanks (for young divers) and up to 15-litre tanks (120 cu ft). On the back plate, there is a rubber coating to prevent the tank from slipping, as well as an extra strap to adjust the height so that the BCD is always in the right place. This eliminates the need to hold the tank with your leg when clamping it.
Conclusion
I am convinced that this model will be a good option for dive centres and clubs thanks to its great adjustability. It is also a good choice as a first BCD—a vest that will last a long time.
