seaquest balance

[Drew1]

hey,
Im thinking about buying the seaquest balance. I was going to put down the money for a black diamond but i decided not to. If you have one can you please list some pros and cons.

Thanks,
Drew​

 

[Peter Guy]

Pros -- well constructed, comfy, trims well, comfy, adjusts nicely to 3 mil, 5 mil or dry suit, did I mention it is comfortable, nice integrated weight system -- very easy to use

Cons -- it IS a BC and not a BP/W (had to write this); smallish single pocket; D-rings aren't adjustable; hard to hang a can light on it

 

[Pickled]

I have a balance that is about 8 years old. It has been through hundreds of pool sessions, traveled around the world, loaned out, and generally abused and mistreated. It looks like crap (bleached brown instead of black), but it works as well as the day I got it.

Pros - light weight, simple, packs well for travel, relatively low profile, comfortable, good integrated and trim weight system, will last forever with a little care. When I first got it I was concerned that the plastic "Revolutionary triangular load distribution system" might be a weak point prone to breaking, but that concern has gone away with time.

Cons - very limited pockets, if it doesn't fit well it will tend to ride up when inverted (head down).

I found the lack of pockets easy to overcome through the use of clips and the lack of stuff on your chest is almost as good as the BP/W mentioned above.

 

[RICHinNC]

I started with a SQ Pro QD. It is a good bcd but bulky for travel, and rode up on me all the time. Yep....go bp and wing. Love it

 

[Carolina_Mike]

For general diving and particularly travel I would go for the Balance. I have a Black Diamond that I love and teach in it every week, but the waist is stiff and it does not fold up well to pack in a bag for travel. The Balance would be my choice.

 

[theskull]

In addition to the "pros" already listed:

Can easily mount canister light to the tank strap. Very adjustable. Very easy on/off. Comfortable fit on male and female due to lack of unnecessary bulk in the front. Pocket is low profile and can be folded out of the way if not needed.

Cons:
No D-ring on right waist, but that can be solved by attaching a carabiner at that point. Only 1 tank strap, so you must be sure that the 1 is securely cinched down on the tank.

I love mine. An excellent all-around BC that takes up no room when packed.

theskull

 

[utdivermatt]

I habe a balance and absolutely love it. I dont know what kind of diving your doing, but until you move into the field of tech diving, I think the balance can serve you wel for any type of dive you want to do.

 

[scubapolly]

I have a libra the femlae version of the Balance, which I have had for about 8 years as well. Still works great (just a little ugly from bleaching due to so much time in the pool and in the sun). If I get a new BC I'll get another Libra.


I like that the integrated weight pockets are truely one hand relase

Only thing I don't like about it is I dive a lot in the Keys with no wetsuit. and having the buckle without a cumberbund under it is a little uncomfortable, but if you don't dive without a wetsuit offten I wouldn't see it as a problem.

 

[Drew1]

thanks for all of the replies - Drew

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Just tried out a new Sea Quest Balance last night. It was very simple to use, light weight and most of all comfortable. I may be retiring my BP/W, but I will have to do a few more dives. It was definitely more comfortable than the BP/W while walking to the water, however in the water it might have been a tiny bit sloppier. I really liked it!