In recent years spearfishing has increased in popularity, and the dive industry has responded with some great innovations. Spawned from the invasion of Lionfish in southern waters and the ensuing derbys and fishing competitions, our friends in Northern Florida at Dive Rite saw the need for a minimalist BCD that allows the diver to move freely in warm, shallow waters and yield huge catches of tasty seafood! It is that need that gave way for the Hunter-Pac BCD.
What Is The Hunter-Pac?
Simply put the Hunter-Pac is a simplistic and minimal BCD that comes from the long line of quality BCD’s like the Transpac, Travelpac, and the Nomad. It is small, packable, and comes in a “one size fits all” configuration that is nearly infinitely adjustable for divers of all shapes and sizes.
Tell Me More!
Well to take from an awesome description written by the folks at Dive Rite: “For the avid spear fisherman, the Hunter-Pac BCD takes all of our great technical and recreational BCD features and combines them with a few spear fishing essentials creating a BCD that excels in any type of open water diving. Spear fishing today and shooting pictures tomorrow, the Hunter-Pac BCD makes it possible with all of its features and functions.”
Plenty of Lift and Buoyancy
Providing 35 lbs. of lift, the Hunter-Pac 360-degree, donut wing supports aluminum and steel tanks with a maximum weight of 32 lbs. with optional pockets. With an integrated Gusset Control system that reduces “taco” effect and promotes effective streamlining, the Hunter-Pac puts buoyancy where it is most needed (throughout the torso supporting the weight of the tank) for superior horizontal trim. Coming standard with a shoulder exhaust pull-dump and a waist-level exhaust valve, trimming the BCD is easy. The donut shape and design of the air cell (wing-style) provides maximum comfort throughout the dive with no squeezing or restrictions that can happen with a typical jacket-style BCD. Floating on the surface in a vertical position in the Hunter-Pac is not a problem; it won’t tip you over.
Adaptable To Most Environments
Diving in a wetsuit or drysuit, warm water or cold water, steel tank or aluminum tank, the Hunter-Pac will adapt. With an extremely comfortable soft back plate and lumbar pad and the versatile one-size-fits-all adjustable harness with cross-chest strap and crotch strap, the HunterPac can be sized for any diver for a perfect custom fit. Double stainless steel cam straps that accommodate almost any single tank configuration and the ability to add optional weight pockets gives you unlimited options.
Carrying a spear fishing stringer or a ZooKeeper’s Lionfish unit is not a problem with the HunterPac’s configurable D-ring mounting points for gear placement. Position the existing D-rings anywhere you want or add additional D-rings is your choice.
Rugged, Yet Simple Construction
Extremely rugged, the Hunter-Pac is designed for long-term use based on a hybrid design of our technical BCDs. Using the same materials and craftsmanship with a simplified design, the HunterPac weighs in at only 6.2 lbs. making it ideal for travel. Its ruggedness is enhanced with a heavy-duty, 210-denier nylon laminated bladder.
As you can see the Hunter-Pac is a solid and versatile unit for even the most adventurous underwater hunter. Have questions about the Hunter-Pac? Hit up any member of the DRIS crew…just be sure to offer us some Lionfish Ceviche! Mmmmmmmm.