Seaquest Balance

[Holy Mackerel]

I purchased a SQ Balance, and now am questioning my purchase. I talked to my friend, who stated, "yeah, that is a great tropics BC." ANyone use these in cold water 7MM, with 32 lbs of weight? It has the integrated pull out pockets, I figure they can hold about 10 lbs each. Just wondering where I will put the other soft weights. Need some reassurance, or advice, maybe for the black diamond, it has a cummerbund, and front pockets for weights. Also, Lift = ?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Damselfish]

well, here's a chart that shows weight capacity and lift for Seaquest BCs
http://www.aqualung.com/products/bc_size_lift_chart.html

 

[Holy Mackerel]

Yeah, I saw that, I was wondering about "Lift" I had some kid helping me, and the resident expert in the shop was too busy showing off his knowlege of nitrox to some other guy. According to the chart, the Large Balance, has 40 lbs of lift, so I am guessing that 40 lbs would be your max weights to use? Is 32 lbs cutting it too close? thanks, I am a newbie!

 

[Ann Marie]

Hey Chris!

IMO the Balance is a great BC. It will hold 30lbs of weight. 10lbs in each removable pocket and 5lbs in each non-ditchable pocket.

Are you a new diver? If so, you may start to trim down a little weight as you get more comfortable with diving and with your equipment. One of my BCs is the Libra, the female counterpart to the Balance. I personally like the streamline of the Balance vs. the more bulkiness of the Black Diamond.

 

[cerich]

you are going to be wearing a weight belt and the 40lbs of lift MAY be enough depending on what type of tanks, exposure protection and fresh or salt water. Of course your level of skill and body type play a role as well

Good tropical bcd however......

 

[cap_bert]

I have used the SQ Balance with 24lbs, 7mm full suit, and hood. It worked fine for me and is my favorite BC of the seaquest line. There are trim weight pockets in the back near the tank bands for the extra bit of weight and for trimming yourself properly. I hope this helps.

 

[Damselfish]

Yeah, I saw that, I was wondering about "Lift" I had some kid helping me, and the resident expert in the shop was too busy showing off his knowlege of nitrox to some other guy. According to the chart, the Large Balance, has 40 lbs of lift, so I am guessing that 40 lbs would be your max weights to use? Is 32 lbs cutting it too close? thanks, I am a newbie!

40# lift is 40# lift, doesn't determine max weights. If you search here there are various discussions on determining how much lift you need. Try using the keyword lift in the BC forum.

The chart says the max the BC holds is 30. There's nothing from stopping you from using a weight belt for some weight and not having it all in the pockets, some people like to split it that way. Just make sure one isn't in the way of being able to drop the other. Or you might decide if you need to wear a weight belt anyway you'd rather skip weight integration and have better pockets or something.

Sounds like the shop wasn't of much help buying this. If you haven't gotten it wet yet, you might want to research a little more if the BC will meet your needs before you do, in case you decide you need to exchange it.

 

[matt_unique]

Yeah, I saw that, I was wondering about "Lift" I had some kid helping me, and the resident expert in the shop was too busy showing off his knowlege of nitrox to some other guy. According to the chart, the Large Balance, has 40 lbs of lift, so I am guessing that 40 lbs would be your max weights to use? Is 32 lbs cutting it too close? thanks, I am a newbie!

The Balance is a fine cold water rig. Remember the lift capacity of a buoyancy device is not directly related to the weight of gear/person in the way you may be thinking. You're using your BC and lead to manage positive and negative buoyancy of your complete "system". If you're diving with a neoprene wetsuit or drysuit it will provide some inherent lift for example.

I have used the Balance with low pressure steel 120 tanks (close to the heaviest tank available), with a 40CF aluminum deco bottle, reels, neoprene drysuit, about 30 lbs of lead, etc. The Balance was able to provide plenty of lift.

--Matt

 

[CaptainMarvel]

I recently switched to a BP/W setup, but I used the Seaquest Balance before that. I was very happy with it. I dive in cold water with a 7mm wetsuit (with hood and gloves), and have used both aluminum and steel tanks with various weight adjustments. I never had any problems with lift.

Ultimately, you need to go with what is most comfortable and best for YOU. But the Balance is a good BC (for cold water diving included).

 

[radinator]

I've also switch from my Balance to a BP/W system, but as a BCD I thought the Balance was really good.

Keep in mind that there are trim pockets near the back as well. I would put 10 pounds in there (5 each) and need less weight in the front integrated pockets. I dove 18# total with that BCD and my single-layer 6 mil suit and a steel tank. I'd add 4 pounds if I added a second layer, or if I went to an AL80 tank.

Remember you only need enough lift to keep you AT the surface, not ON it.