For dive travellers, packing light without compromising performance is the holy grail. Whether you’re hopping on a liveaboard in the Maldives or exploring vibrant reefs in the Caribbean, your dive gear needs to be durable, reliable, and—most importantly—lightweight and compact. Over the years, I’ve tested countless setups, but the new Scubapro Navigator Lite BCD stands out as a true game-changer in 2025.
This guide dives deep into why the Navigator Lite isn’t just another travel BCD but arguably the best travel buoyancy control device (BCD) on the market today. Plus, I’ll walk you through complete travel dive packages featuring Scubapro’s lightweight regulators and accessories, including Steve’s personal recommendation from Mike’s Dive Store.
Why Lightweight Dive Gear Matters in 2025
With ever-tightening baggage restrictions on airlines and the convenience of quick trips, lightweight and compact dive gear is essential for modern dive travel. Every kilo you shed reduces fatigue, saves on checked baggage fees, and means less hassle at the airport. But lightweight must never come at the cost of reliability or safety.
Back-inflation BCDs are favoured by many travellers for their slim profiles and excellent stability underwater. The Scubapro Navigator Lite has taken this concept further, combining modular durability with a sleek, foldable Airnet® backpack, making it one of the most packable BCDs I’ve used in years.
Meet the Scubapro Navigator Lite BCD
The Navigator Lite is designed specifically for recreational travel divers who want a simple, durable, yet stylish BCD. Its Airnet® soft backpack is a revelation — soft, comfortable, and foldable enough to fit in your carry-on. This isn’t a flimsy, “travel-only” BCD; its modular design means every critical component—the air cell, cummerbund, shoulder straps, and pockets—can be replaced or upgraded, extending the life of your investment.
Key Features & Benefits
- Lightweight & Foldable: The 2XS-M size weighs just 2.5kg (5.5 lbs), while the M-2XL is only 2.7kg. That’s a serious weight saving compared to traditional travel BCDs that can easily exceed 4kg.
- Back Inflation for Streamlined Stability: Unlike jacket-style BCDs that wrap around the torso, the back-inflation air cell keeps you streamlined and provides excellent trim and buoyancy control.
- Quick Cinch Tank Buckle + 50mm Hook & Loop Tank Strap: Secure your tank with confidence. The system is rock-solid and stable in all conditions, an absolute must for travel dives with varied gear configurations.
- Modular Components: Everything is replaceable—from the air cell made of tough 420D nylon with high-frequency welds, to the shoulder straps and pockets.
- Customisable Air Cell Covers: Want to stand out? Six vibrant colours including Black, Blue, Coral, Navy Blue Camo, Army Green, and White let you tailor your look. These covers require installation by a Scubapro technician for safety.
- Versatile Cummerbund with Detachable Pockets: Each pocket features two soft D-rings, can be worn with openings up or down, allowing for quick-release ballast or accessory storage.
- Ergonomic Comfort: Overlapping size ranges (2XS-M and M-2XL) ensure a snug and comfortable fit for nearly every body type.
In short, the Navigator Lite is designed for simplicity, durability, and travel convenience — exactly what you need on the road or boat.
Upgrading Your Setup: Navigator Lite with AIR2 Alternate Air Source
One of the smartest evolutions in lightweight travel gear is ditching the traditional octopus and bulky inflator hoses. The Navigator Lite with the pre-installed AIR2 5th Generation alternate air source does exactly that. By replacing both your octopus and BCD inflator with this streamlined system, you eliminate unnecessary weight and complexity.
The AIR2 is professionally installed and fully covered by Scubapro’s warranty, so there are no compromises on reliability or safety. At just 590 grams, it’s a minimal weight addition that simplifies your setup, reduces hose clutter, and enhances your travel packing game.
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Dive Package Options: Tailored for Travel
1. Scubapro MK11 C370 / R095 / Navigator Lite BCD Lightweight Travel Package
- Weight: Approx. 4.04kg (XS-M) or 4.24kg (M-2XL)
- Setup: MK11 first stage + C370 second stage + R095 octopus + Navigator Lite BCD
- Why it’s great: The MK11/C370 regulator combo is compact, smooth breathing, and reliable. The R095 octopus offers versatility with pre-configurable hose options for left- or right-handed divers.
- This package is perfectly balanced for travel divers who want a full traditional regulator setup but in a compact, lightweight form.
2. Scubapro MK25 / S620Ti Navigator Lite AIR2 Ultra-Lightweight Travel Dive Package (Steve’s Top Pick)
- Weight: 4.16kg (XS-M)
- Setup: MK25 EVO first stage + S620Ti second stage + Navigator Lite BCD with AIR2 + compact pressure gauge
- Steve’s Recommendation: Steve, owner of Mike’s Dive Store, personally uses and endorses this setup for warm water diving trips. It offers premium breathing performance in a package that’s ultra-light and travel-friendly.
- Key advantage: High-end titanium regulator construction for cold water durability, combined with the Navigator Lite’s modular, lightweight design.
- Pro tip: Drop your pressure gauge and switch to a wireless transmitter from Suunto, Shearwater, or Garmin to reduce the weight even further to just 3.66kg — unbeatable for serious travel divers.
3. Scubapro Ultimate Lightweight Dive Package
- Weight: Approx. 3.58kg (XS-M) or 3.78kg (M-2XL)
- Setup: MK11/C370 regulator + Navigator Lite BCD with AIR2 alternate air source
- Why choose this: It’s the ultimate combination for those who want to minimize bulk. The AIR2 replaces both octopus and inflator hoses, cutting down on hose clutter and weight without sacrificing safety or function.
- Ideal for liveaboards, multi-destination trips, and any diver who values travel efficiency without compromising gear reliability.
Going Even Lighter: Pod & Transmitter Setups
In 2025, digital dive computers with wireless air integration have matured significantly. If your goal is to achieve the absolute lightest and most streamlined travel setup, consider ditching traditional console gauges entirely.
Instead of a bulky pressure gauge, use a wireless air transmitter pod paired with a compatible dive computer from brands like Suunto, Garmin, or Shearwater . This setup not only saves weight but reduces drag and simplifies pre-dive checks. You’ll still get real-time tank pressure readings directly on your wrist — no gauge, no hose, no hassle.
Combine this with the Navigator Lite BCD (especially with AIR2), and you have the lightest, most compact full dive rig available today. No one else offers a lighter or more travel-optimised system.
Why Divers Love the Navigator Lite in 2025
- Customisable & Stylish: The replaceable air cell covers let you personalize your gear to match your style or spot your buddy underwater.
- Unmatched Modular Design: You’re not stuck replacing the entire BCD if something wears out or breaks. This approach is sustainable and cost-effective.
- Comfort & Stability: The Airnet® backpack keeps things comfy and lightweight, while the Quick Cinch tank buckle and hook & loop strap keep your tank firmly locked.
- Travel-Friendly Weight: When paired with lightweight regulators and optional wireless pods, your whole dive setup can weigh under 4kg—and even under 3.7kg if you ditch traditional gauges.
The Scubapro Navigator Lite is the ultimate travel BCD in 2025 for divers who demand the perfect balance between performance, durability, and packability. Its modular construction, sleek back-inflation design, and the option to integrate AIR2 technology set it apart from the crowd.
Whether you choose the MK11/C370 setup for classic simplicity, or go all-in with the MK25/S620Ti and AIR2 package that Steve from Mike’s Dive Store swears by, you’re getting proven gear that’s been tested and loved by travel divers worldwide.
And for the tech-savvy, weight-conscious diver, the future lies in wireless air integration pods that allow you to ditch gauges altogether, pushing your travel setup weight to an all-time low.
If you’re serious about dive travel in 2025, the Scubapro Navigator Lite and its associated packages are simply the best gear you can pack.
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