Aqua Lung Dimension i3 vs Zeagle Stilleto

[pwrhd]

First post here.
My wife bought me an Aqua Lung Dimension i3 for father's day. However, it feels bulky to me and has very limited pocket space. I only dive warm water and exclusively spearfish. I am looking for lightweight and compact but space to hold my powerhead bullets, lift bag and mesh lobster bag. I was planning to purchase a Zeagle Stilleto but there is not one local for me to look at. Just trying to decide if I should return the dimension and order a stilleto.

 

[Lopez116]

I can't speak for the AL, but I love my Stilleto. Super comfortable, puts me in a nice position in the water, and is versatile enough to use both here in colder SoCal water as well as in warm water. I travel with it all the time and it really does travel well. Only downside (for you maybe) is limited pockets. I like the streamlined nature of this bc, so the lack of pockets is a good thing IMO

 

[pwrhd]

Thanks for the input. I'm trying to figure out if the stilleto is a lot more streamlined and less bulky than the AL. The pics look like it but it is hard for me to tell. The AL seems so wide on me. I am also concerned about the i3 feature on the AL and would worry about failure

 

[divad]

The AL seems so wide on me. I am also concerned about the i3 feature on the AL and would worry about failure

Then return it and figure out what to get later.

 

[tattooedjeeper]

I can't speak for the AL, but I love my Stilleto. Super comfortable, puts me in a nice position in the water. I travel with it all the time and it really does travel well. IMO

I don't have experience with the AL either but I second what was said about the Stiletto, Super comfortable, streamlined and I does pack down small is lightweight and travels easily. The pocket space works for me but, obviously that depends on you. As an added feature i like being able to hook my garden hose to the corrugated hose and flushing the bladder clean after a dive.I mount my smb like this maybe your lift bag fits the same

 

[SOFDiver]

As captain of a dive boat I handle more than 3000 sets of gear during our 10 month busy season. DM and I do tank changes for our divers, so we see just about everything. I'm also an avid spear fisherman, and have been for many years. Also I have been diving for 57 years and have seen gear evolve.

I have to say that we dread seeing Zeagle BC come aboard. In general they are limp and sloppy uninflated, and impossible to handle when inflated. Weight systems are still a joke and quality does not appear to be as good as other major brands. Personally I would own anything else. While the original member would have been better off with an Aqualung Ballance, Oceanic Excersion or Apex Black Diamond rather than an Aqualung I3 equipped BC.. Of course like any other post on this board this just my opinion.

 

[Lopez116]

As captain of a dive boat I handle more than 3000 sets of gear during our 10 month busy season. DM and I do tank changes for our divers, so we see just about everything. I'm also an avid spear fisherman, and have been for many years. Also I have been diving for 57 years and have seen gear evolve.

I have to say that we dread seeing Zeagle BC come aboard. In general they are limp and sloppy uninflated, and impossible to handle when inflated. Weight systems are still a joke and quality does not appear to be as good as other major brands. Personally I would own anything else. While the original member would have been better off with an Aqualung Ballance, Oceanic Excersion or Apex Black Diamond rather than an Aqualung I3 equipped BC.. Of course like any other post on this board this just my opinion.

Interesting. It's rare to see criticism of Zeagle BCs. One of my local dive shops said the same thing about Zeagle quality. Otherwise, never heard anything bad.

Can you expound upon the quality issue as well as the weight system being a joke?

 

[tbone1004]

return, don't buy either.

buy https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?page=products
Will take weight off and free up your waist completely and is a much better rig, and is cheaper at under $500

Use the rest of the money to buy useful pockets.
Cave Adventurers - Pockets - BCD's - Marianna, Florida USA - Never Undersold!
https://www.divegearexpress.com/bc-pockets
or shorts
https://www.divegearexpress.com/neoprene-pocket-shorts

I'm partial to thigh pockets, but to each his own. Much better rig both in quality and functionality for what you're trying to do with it.

 

[SOFDiver]

Lopez116 asked for me to expand on my comments, so I will. tbone1004 directs us to Deep sea Supply's web site. I own a complete DSS single tank rig, and I agree tha DSS equipment is very very good and a great value. That being said a back plate and wing kit is not the best thing for every diver, but that is another discussion in itself. As to quality issues I raised. Zeagle materials do not seem to be as robust as those used by Aqualung, ScubaPro, and others. Design also seems not to progress much from their original models of Ranger and others. Original ripcord system was/is a problematic design, and newer models with yellow weight bags and zipper pockets seem over complicated. I also think price is always an issue as most divers are very concerned about price. Other brands provide in my opinion more bang for the buck. Again just my opinion based on observation, and yes I have used Zeagle BCs myself. In my opionion the best back inflate BC available on the market is the Apex Black Diamond, which is an Aqualung brand.

 

[Lopez116]

Lopez116 asked for me to expand on my comments, so I will. tbone1004 directs us to Deep sea Supply's web site. I own a complete DSS single tank rig, and I agree tha DSS equipment is very very good and a great value. That being said a back plate and wing kit is not the best thing for every diver, but that is another discussion in itself. As to quality issues I raised. Zeagle materials do not seem to be as robust as those used by Aqualung, ScubaPro, and others. Design also seems not to progress much from their original models of Ranger and others. Original ripcord system was/is a problematic design, and newer models with yellow weight bags and zipper pockets seem over complicated. I also think price is always an issue as most divers are very concerned about price. Other brands provide in my opinion more bang for the buck. Again just my opinion based on observation, and yes I have used Zeagle BCs myself. In my opionion the best back inflate BC available on the market is the Apex Black Diamond, which is an Aqualung brand.

Do you mean the Apex Black Ice or Aqualung Black Diamond?