Looking for opinions on the Seaquest Balance

[MSilvia]

This shifting tank thing concerns me a little.

I could suggest a way to take care of that, but you aren't interested in it just yet.

Maybe you could wedge something under the tank to stabilize it?

 

[DutchDown]

Hmmm...I've never had the shifting tank problem. I use 12 or 15 liter steels locally and AL80 tanks when I travel. They don't move at all.

Phil

 

[dontaskme]

I too have never had a problem with tank shifting, or with the dump valve that is part of the low pres. inflator ( it is my prefered way of purging), My Balance is 2 years old, so I dont know wether its NEW or OLD design. I dig mine.........side note....I was talking to the Dive Rite rep. about how I was thinking about getting a BP/W, he asked me what I was diving, I told him, he said "do you like it ? " I said YEAH. he then said what caught me way off guard " then why do you want a BP/W ? , if you like what you dive, dive it, and when you need a new rig come see me, but not till then". I couldnt believe a Sales man said that!!!! How cool is that, total respect to the Dive Rite Crew

 

[Offroad]

Paco:

I bought a Balance for me and a Libra for my wife a short time ago, we have about 20 dives on each and they work great for us. They fit us well and the UW trim seems great. We have no problems with any tank shifting but I always tighten the tank band very firmly and we've only used 63 and 80 tanks. We don't have any problems with the inflator hose dumps but you do have to pull a bit harder than the other shoulder dump.

There is a handle on the hose dump about half way down which is nice because we use Air Source II's for our octo, that way your not pulling on your octo. I find the pocket just right for me, when its up it holds small items like a white balance card and when down is large enough for my P&S camera and a small light.

How much is your LDS charging for them? We paid $515 each including the Air Source II's.

Hope this helps.

 

[Paco II]

$528, including the Air Source and the knife. A little more than you paid, but everything in San Francisco seems to cost a little more.

Well, peoples comments seem to be pretty positive about the Balance. I am looking for a nice streamlined, backinflated, travel-friendly BC, and this one seems to fit the bill. It also has the added bonus (for me) of being a seaquest, of which I am very familiar.

How much is your LDS charging for them? We paid $515 each including the Air Source II's.

 

[njd3rph]

I vastly prefer a backplate and wing; however, I dove the Balance for a year (~60 dives) before switching to the bp/wing config and never had any problems with it. Used it with an 80 alm, 80 hp steel, and 100 hp steel with no problems. Great bcd.

 

[njd3rph]

Paco:

There is a handle on the hose dump about half way down which is nice because we use Air Source II's for our octo, that way your not pulling on your octo.

I highly discourage the use of an airsource. In my opinion they are very unsafe. If you doubt my opinion try ascending while actively using the airsource and see how well your able to control your boyancy and rate of ascent while doing so...

 

[Paco II]

I've been using an Air Source on my Pro Unlimited for about 4 years, so I'm actually pretty good at that I have practiced that move quite a bit so that I am ready should I ever really need to do it. Another benefit of getting another Seaquest BCD.

I highly discourage the use of an airsource. In my opinion they are very unsafe. If you doubt my opinion try ascending while actively using the airsource and see how well your able to control your boyancy and rate of ascent while doing so...

 

[mase]

Great BC. The trim pockets work well and I have never had any problems with the tank shifting. I also find it very comfortable - padding where you need it.

 

[njd3rph]

I've been using an Air Source on my Pro Unlimited for about 4 years, so I'm actually pretty good at that I have practiced that move quite a bit so that I am ready should I ever really need to do it. Another benefit of getting another Seaquest BCD.

I'm glad to hear you've practiced, that is indeed admirable and demonstrates that you are an intelligent diver; however, I'll bet most divers using that configuration don't practice that manuver, and practicing it under ideal conditions is not by any means the same as trying to do it in an emergency situation. Personally I prefer neither the airsource or octo, but a primary reg on a 7' hose and a secondary on a necklace. But back to the subject at hand, I think short of using a bp/wing, the Balance is the best bcd on the market, and the best choice for the recreational diver.