I had a chance to look at one of the aqualung BCDs last week. The jacket had i3 labels near the place where i3 lever is supposed to be installed. But it was not an i3 version. So apparently the jacket is the same.
I wonder if you can just ask the shop to convert it to a non-i3 version inexpensively.
Yes, certain BCs were available with or without the i3 system. Think the i3 added about $100 or so to the cost. A regular buddy has one so I’ve seen it close up many times.