Morphos Pro (M) or Seaquest Balance (ML)

[sucnip]

I'll be ordering my first BCD from LP in a few days and am deciding between a Mares Morphos Pro and a Seaquest balance SL. I've tried the Balance on and like it, but have yet to see a Morphos at a LDS here in Sydney. I am 6'2" (188cm), 180 lbs (76kg) and skinny. Will a Medium Morphos fit me?? LP is currently sold out of the Large size.

The recommendation I'm most likely to get is "try both". However, since time is an issue and I've yet to find a Morphos Pro locally I could use some guidance. I would like a compact BCD for use with singles for use i tropical dive destinations as well as for use in Sydney in my 6.5mm semi-dry. I like the air-trim feature, but have never used it. Is the Morphos Pro similar to the Balance with the addition to side air cells for surface boyancy and pockets?

Thanks in advance!

David

 

[TechBlue]

Before you commit to anything why don't you get in touch with Ben at http://www.scubaroo.com.au/ he's in Melbourne and might be able to get you squared away with an Oxycheq set of wings and a BP, just a suggestion but without trying it on I don't know if I'd want to buy a BC that I hadn't tried on, what do you do if you don't like it?

Chris

 

[jhelmuth]

I'll be ordering my first BCD from LP in a few days and am deciding between a Mares Morphos Pro and a Seaquest balance SL. I've tried the Balance on and like it, but have yet to see a Morphos at a LDS here in Sydney. I am 6'2" (188cm), 180 lbs (76kg) and skinny. Will a Medium Morphos fit me?? LP is currently sold out of the Large size.

The recommendation I'm most likely to get is "try both". However, since time is an issue and I've yet to find a Morphos Pro locally I could use some guidance. I would like a compact BCD for use with singles for use i tropical dive destinations as well as for use in Sydney in my 6.5mm semi-dry. I like the air-trim feature, but have never used it. Is the Morphos Pro similar to the Balance with the addition to side air cells for surface boyancy and pockets?

Thanks in advance!

David

If you can't try them both, I'd endorse the Balance (I dive it and is my personal favorite). I'm 6'1" and 210 (muscular), so similar in height but not weight. I also do not dive semi-dry (wet only and in tropical waters - nothing below 63 degrees)

Good luck in your choice. I also think you should consider a b/p and wing, but I don't think they are the end-all-be-all as most would have you think. They have their advantages, but are sometimes less comfortable and lack w/i pockets (if you want them you'll have to buy them as add-ons $$$), but they are very cool and I beleive they are only slightly more expensive comparably configured (weight pockets, etc.). Another positive about B/P and wing is the customization you can acheive and perfect fit (with assistance from someone who can do this).

 

[TechBlue]

If you can't try them both, I'd endorse the Balance (I dive it and is my personal favorite). I'm 6'1" and 210 (muscular), so similar in height but not weight. I also do not dive semi-dry (wet only and in tropical waters - nothing below 63 degrees)

Good luck in your choice. I also think you should consider a b/p and wing, but I don't think they are the end-all-be-all as most would have you think. They have their advantages, but are sometimes less comfortable and lack w/i pockets (if you want them you'll have to buy them as add-ons $$$), but they are very cool and I beleive they are only slightly more expensive comparably configured (weight pockets, etc.). Another positive about B/P and wing is the customization you can acheive and perfect fit (with assistance from someone who can do this).

You're right insofar as it is a personal choice, but price wise you can get a BP/wing setup for less than what you'd pay for a recreational BCD

 

[jhelmuth]

You're right insofar as it is a personal choice, but price wise you can get a BP/wing setup for less than what you'd pay for a recreational BCD

Chris,

If you can ever show me an apples-to-apples comparrison where that is true more than 50% of the time, then I'll conceed and apologize. If you'll conceed, I'll provide some proof that is contrary to your statement.

 

[simonk999]

I have a morphos Medium. I am 6' 160lb and the BC is adjusted towards
the small end of its spectrum, so I suspect an M will fit 6'2, 180lbs with
no problem. It's a very comfortable BC.

Airtrim is a feature I like. I use it for both warm and cold water diving
(Caribbean and Monterey). Plenty of lift capacity if needed. Packs nicely,
but is not light.

-Simon

 

[TechBlue]

If you care to shop around:
Oxycheq 30# wing $240
FredT Al BP $ 65
STA $ 50
Harness Kit $ 40

Total $395 for a total pagage without any discounts, you could reduce costs by assembling your own harness but I'm assuming you are looking for a complete package

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Well, having dealt with Mares on BC issues, I would avoid those like the plague. Not to mention thatb there sizing is completely messed up, and I just dont really like their BC's anyway. The Seaquest Balance I have used for the last 3 and a half years. Its a nice back inflate BC with weight integration, and works very nice. I would recommend getting the Balance and forget about the Morphos. But thats just me...
The only thing that I will say about the Oxycheq wing, is that I love that as well, and I coupled mine with a fredt aluminum BP also. Works nice...

 

[jhelmuth]

If you care to shop around:
Oxycheq 30# wing $240
FredT Al BP $ 65
STA $ 50
Harness Kit $ 40

Total $395 for a total pagage without any discounts, you could reduce costs by assembling your own harness but I'm assuming you are looking for a complete package

Well here was what I found...
Oxycheq 30# wing $240 (agree)
FredT Al BP $ 65 (agree - Oxycheq's were $130)
STA $ 59 (COVCI - LP Oxycheq's $89)
Harness Kit $ 40 (agree)
Add..
Cam strap $20
Weight belt as a replacement for integrated weight pockets $10
(and you'll still not have a pocket - but no big deal since most of us don't use it)

Total $434 to compare equivelant.

Seaquest Balance $300 (LP - I paid $345 at my LDS)

Even if we just agree with your figures (and I will for arguments sake), the 36lb SeaQuest Balance is significantly cheaper, has pockets if necessary, and has slightly more lift. So I stand pat on my earlier reply.

PS - I still think BP and wings are superior in many cases (mostly non-rec diving where the need to switch to doubles, or in minimalist configurations). But you can't deny that the Balance is not a good choice for many cases as well.

 

[TechBlue]

Well here was what I found...
Oxycheq 30# wing $240 (agree)
FredT Al BP $ 65 (agree - Oxycheq's were $130)
STA $ 59 (COVCI - LP Oxycheq's $89)
Harness Kit $ 40 (agree)
Add..
Cam strap $20
Weight belt as a replacement for integrated weight pockets $10
(and you'll still not have a pocket - but no big deal since most of us don't use it)

Total $434 to compare equivelant.

Seaquest Balance $300 (LP - I paid $345 at my LDS)

Even if we just agree with your figures (and I will for arguments sake), the 36lb SeaQuest Balance is significantly cheaper, has pockets if necessary, and has slightly more lift. So I stand pat on my earlier reply.

PS - I still think BP and wings are superior in many cases (mostly non-rec diving where the need to switch to doubles, or in minimalist configurations). But you can't deny that the Balance is not a good choice for many cases as well.

I stand corrected, the Balance is a good rec BCD, but I would choose the wing/bp setup for streamlining, fit and as you also said the ability to switch wings and dive doubles with the exact configuration you dive singles with as far as equipment layout and location.