SeaQuest Balance vs Zeagle Stiletto

[DiverDawg]

I've been diving for 2 years now and have decided to buy my first BC. I'm more of a recreational diver only diving warm water...Caribbean, Florida/Gulf area. So far I've narrowed it down to either the SQ Balance or the Zeagle Stiletto. A local LDS sells the SQ and another sells the Zeagles, so I've tried them both on and they feel comparable in comfort/fit. I also tried an SP Nighthawk, but thought that the Balance and Stiletto were a better fit for me.

The one thing about the Balance that I'm not sure about is their 'sure-lock' system. Since it's not a traditional buckle setup, I'm wondering if anyone has had any issues with the weights falling out.

As for the Stiletto and the Zeagle weight pouches, using rental gear up to this point I've ended up using weight belts, so handing my weights to a deck-hand before I get out of the water isn't a big concern for me.

The Balance has the Airsource 3 setup and the Zeagle I would fit with the Atomic SS1, so the prices are close.

So I'm hoping to get some thoughts on these to BC's to help with my decision.

TIA,
DD

 

[Mr. Nudi]

I've been diving for a year now and just purchased a SQ Balance BC this past December. For me, it has ample amount of D-rings that suits my needs and a small pouch that I store my spare light. It's not overloaded with features that I will probably not use. Just a quality BC that is right for the diving I do.

As for the Sure-lock system, I have read only one report of a weight pouch that has unexpectedly detached from the locking mechanism, but all other reports have stated no concerns with the pouch coming unlatched and falling out. Before I bought my SQ Balance, I played, tugged, and fiddled with the BC a few times before I purchased. With the few dives I have done with the SQ Balance, I have not had any concerns with it and feel quite safe with the Sure-Lock system.

 

[Scott]

I can't speak about the Zeagle Stiletto since I haven't dove it. I do like the SQ Balance. Unlike Mr. Nudi I wish the Balance had a couple more D-Rings. We use SQ ProQD's in our rental and have yet to see a Sure-Lock fall out. I 've used both the ProQD and Balance with my dry suit (28lbs) and they did fine. If you can hold out until March the SQ Balance is being shipped with a 'dounut' style bladder. Will make it just abit better. If you can try both in a pool/lake/ocean setting before you buy. How a BCD feels on your back on the showroom is different than how it will feel underwater.

 

[DiverDawg]

That's good to hear about the sure-lock system. Like Mr Nudi, I read one post about someone losing their weights, but so far the rest have been promising. In the shop I gave them a gentle to moderate tug and they seemed to stay put. Although, one of them seemed to come out a little easier than I would like, which is why I turned to the boards to get others opinion.

I spotted a few of the SQ Balance on their rental rack, so I'll see if I can get my hands on one and give it a real test in the water.

R0gue - I've got a trip planned in May (headed down to Playa Del Carmen), so I'll ask my LDS when the Balance with this newer bladder is coming in.

 

[djanni]

I have the Stiletto. Not sure if you're voicing a concern about the Rip-cord system or not but don't worry about it. It's great. You'll love it. I really like the way the Stiletto fits.

Lot's of people here like the Stiletto and when we're diving we see a few Balance's so they're popular too.

 

[DiveMaven]

My husband lost a weight pouch out of a SeaQuest BC, it was $25 to replace. The pockets are also sometimes hard to load weights into because of the way they are designed. He's replaced his SeaQuest with a Zeagle and has never had to worry about weights again...unzip the pocket, drop them in/take them out.

Personally, I don't think you can beat the customer service you get from Zeagle either. A company located in Florida that actually answers the phone themselves, and provides all of the service in Florida you might need, plus the responsiveness of ScottZeagle on this board are pretty special IMO.

 

[fl-diver]

I think the biggest difference is the lack of a backpack in the Zeagle bc's. I have used the Zeagle scout and Ranger and did not like the soft backpack. It did not feel comfortable to me at all. The Seaquest pro qd and Balance are about as comfortable as it gets in my opinion. Maintaining trim in the balance has been effortless as well.
I would like a few more D rings on the balance. I had to modify some things to carry everything the way I am used to for spearfishing and lobster diving.

 

[fl-diver]

I think the biggest difference is the lack of a backpack in the Zeagle bc's. I have used the Zeagle scout and Ranger and did not like the soft backpack. It did not feel comfortable to me at all. The Seaquest pro qd and Balance are about as comfortable as it gets in my opinion. Maintaining trim in the Balance has been effortless as well.
I would like a few more D rings on the balance. I had to modify some things to carry everything the way I am used to for spearfishing and lobster diving.
I have the Air3 with the Balance as well.

 

[Hatul]

Not sure about the Seaquest but the Zeagles have double tank bands, with which you will never lose a tank. On the other hand sometimes the double tank band does not fit well into boat racks. Also the soft pack of the Zeagle makes travel easier.

Adam

 

[DiverDawg]

Nope, not concerned with the rip-cord system. My comment was more about seeing most integrated systems having weight pouches you can remove and hand up to the deck-hand before getting out of the water, but since I've never taken my weights off before, that isn't a concern for me.

I like how the Stiletto has pockets on both sides and the dual tanks bands would seem like a good thing. Although, the mention of the dual tank bands possibly causing issues on some boat racks...have other experienced this? If so, what sort of problem, just not fitting or what?

Decisions...Decisions...I certainly appreciate the input thus far.