Ronniemu
Contributor
I am a newbee who was just certified. Can someone help me decide between one of these BCDs? A SeaQuest Balance or a Mares Vector 1000 AT BC with M.R.S. I am looking to make a purchase shortly. Thanks, Ronnie
Sea Quest Balance or Mares Vector 1000 AT BC
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I'm not a fan of anything Mares but I do think the Balance is a fine BC. Have you been able to test drive it in a pool?
Ronniemu:
The Balance BC with the Surelock weight system is about the most comfortable and well balanced recreational BC out there. I use one for my carib/single tank diving and find it to have all the features and benefits that one needs in a BC.
Regards,
Joel Silverstein
Debraw
Contributor
The Mares Vector 1000 has the airtrim system. No more over the shoulder dump valve. I love the air trim, it's easy to get to and easy to use. I am not a huge fan of their weight pockets, they can be a little bulky. I can forgive the weight system to use the air trim.
Consider the posistion you'll be in during the dive and where would you like your floatation to be located. With that in mind a rear inflate is pretty nice. You dont spend much time on the surface but even so I'm able to remain upright on the surface or I can even lay over on my back and kick out to where we drop down.Ronniemu:
It's different but no difficult on the surface and below the surface a rear inflate is awesome.
Ronniemu:
Definitely the Balance between these 2 choices.
I'm amazed that there are still people telling new divers that back-inflate pushes you forward at the surface--many years of extreme popularity should have killed this bad rumor by now. With proper distribution of weights you will be as comfortable at the surface as if you were wearing the old-fashioned inner-tube surround-inflate style BC.
theskull
FWIW,theskull:
I just stopped by the LDS and saw a new BCD distributed by Oceanic called the Outrigger. It is a Back Inflate, but it has an air bladder attached to the cummerbund in the front that you can deploy if you find yourself being pushed forward. I personally didn't care for the way it worked, nor for the way they chose to install it on the BCD. In about 2 minutes, I had figured a MUCH better way to attach that wouldn't be such a bother when donning or doffing the BCD --- not that I would ever use it; I use a DiveRite with a wing on the back and never have had a problem with my face being pushed into the water.
Willar
Contributor
I have the SeaQuest Black Diamond which is a slightly fancier version of the Balance. I love the B.D. and am very happy I chose a back-inflation BC. I have friends with the Balance who love it.
The only time I've felt my face was forced into the water was when I was testing that theory and totally over-inflated the BC. During normal operation it is no problem. Underwater back-inflation is great, and that's what counts!
The only time I've felt my face was forced into the water was when I was testing that theory and totally over-inflated the BC. During normal operation it is no problem. Underwater back-inflation is great, and that's what counts!
oscar_2424
Contributor
Ronniemu:
Those are very different models, the balance has back flotation while the mares its a jacket style, try both and choose the one that better fits your kinfd of diving
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