Mares AirTrim vs Aqualung i3 vs standard inflator

[Ze_Abron]

Anyone got any opinions? Are Mares and Aqualung showing us the future or are these technologies just gimmicks?

I am an inexperienced diver, but to me these look intriguing. Would appreciate some more experienced thoughts on the matter.

 

[vixtor]

I have used a i3 BC for some time, and I have no complaints about the system - it just worked, despite all claims that it should kill me.

I have moved since then to a BP/W, but the i3 was not between the reasons for this switch.

What I have appreciated on the i3 design is that compared to a normal inflator button, it cannot get stuck (you always can pull it back to the neutral position if it doesn't want to return to it alone).

 

[rstofer]

There a nice video re: the Mares approach: YouTube - Mares Airtrim Technology.wmv It a pretty clever approach to remotely control the dump valve.

Of course I have an opinion! It doesn't have to be based on fact, it is an opinion! Here's the thing: I want my gear as simple as possible. I don't think I want to get involved with pneumatically operated valves. I do like the Mares operating controls but I think I'll give the concept a pass.

I notice that the BCs are both jacket style. I think I've moved beyond that concept as well.

Many of the more 'clever' ideas are really more applicable to warm water resort divers. Integrated weights is an example (IMO). For a cold water wetsuit diver, they carry so much weight that when it is integrated it takes a crane to lift the rig. Say 25# of lead plus a 43# tank plus the regulator and BC.

In my view, cold water diving is different. I don't know anything about drysuits but with my 7/8mm wetsuit, I need 20# of lead plus a 6# backplate and some contribution from the HP 100 tank. Because I lose so much buoyancy at depth, I need to be absolutely certain that the wing will function properly. Simple is better (IMO).

Richard

 

[a9740125]

You may check out the Scuba diving magazine website, there is a 9 Innovative BCs PDF including those two new techologies. They compare Mares dragon AT with Seaquest pro qd i3, in the chart, there is a "ergonomic test" section, it looks like the i3 is better than the AT.

For me, the i3 looks like a high-tec product. It looks sleek and fashion. The valves are flat, the I3 switch is much smaller than the AT. But Mares dragon AT looks so durable and give me a strong confident to dive with it. It is a little difficut for my friend to choose between the two.

 

[CODMAN]

I've been using the Mares airtrim system since 2006 and I have only praises for the system. Yeah, it is mechanically more complex, but it is very reliable and if it does fail, you have manual options to control the BCD.

What I love about it (in no particular order).
1- The inflate-deflate valve is always in the same place. No searching, you always get your hand on it first time!
2- It really does dump air from your BCD in almost any position! So no more jiggling around to get the air pocket to the deflator hose.
3- For some reason (don't ask me why) the inflator button releases air into the bladder more slowly that any corregated hose inflator I've used so far. And I find this lets me more easily fine tune my buoyancy with small spurts of the inflator.

So that's it! i love it... Never going back unless I have to... tried backplate and wing on single and prefered the airtrim (Using doubles is another stroy; backplates are awesome when doubled up).

Ah yes, I almost forgot 1 downside... The inflator is not in the traditional configuration and in a rescue situation, this could be a concern if the person has no idea about your rig. To reduce the risk, whenever I'm diving with a new buddy, I take a second to show them my system and how it works so if something does occur, there will be no surprises.

It's really a question of preference. Whatever you prefer, it's a reliable well thought out system!

Just my 0.02$