advice on seaquest bcd

[pughio83]

Im looking to buy my first bcd and was wondering if anyone has had experience with the aqualung pro QD 09 edition bcd (ie newest model i think?). Or at the same time te seaquest pro qd i3?? m leaning towards the aqualung pro qd as have used an older model and found it a nice bcd.

other options include the mares sea dragon.

Any other recommendations useful. Im a dm who generally dives in tropics, travels a lot but less keen on the travel bcd's.

 

[tstormdiver]

I use the SeaQuest Balance BC. It is a back inflate instead of a jacket style, which tends to hold you in better trim underwater, but takes a little getting used to on the surface. The Balance is fairly light weight & packs & travels well. I use it primarily for OW teaching & for vacation diving. I just packed it last night for a trip to the Galapaos next week. For me, the Balance is light weight enough for travel, but rugged enough for some of the tough quarry diving I typically do.

 

[jjwdiver]

I can throw a second to that! Worked well for me for years in pool, quarry and travel. Nice to have something the students in a class setting can enjoy too and that is the BC my LDS uses for teaching and rentals. I'm now in a Backplate/Wing, but that is not too far off from the balance!

 

[MikeSK]

The pro qd I3 is the one I'll be getting in a few months. I like the style and the innovation on the inflator. I've read a lot of good threads on here about that bcd

 

[Outlaw13]

The Pro QD is a great jacket. The Surelock integrated weights work really well with a re-assuring "click" as you push the pockets in place. It has a couple of trim pockets in the back which are really useful. Think seriously about going for the i3 though. It works differently to how people expect an inflator to work. If you have a regular buddy then it'll be fine. If you're always diving with new buddies then it may not be such a great idea.

 

[FritzCat66]

Note that you can get the Pro QD with or without the i3 inflator. I've been diving the ProQD with the i3 for years and I still think it's great and my hand just naturally goes straight to the lever nowadays. I use the Airsource alt air/inflator with it, so if someone else were to borrow it or need to inflate/deflate, they can reach for something more familiar. It's a good BC for modding, too: I've added a crotch strap to mine (highly recommended), among other things.

 

[pughio83]

Thanks for the advice, will def be looking into the i3 version though i often have different buddies so maybe just go for the normal pro qd with standard lpi. I like the design and i think it will have good durability.