code4cell
Registered
Can anyone give me some feedback on the Seaquest Balance BC? I am considering purchasing this for a trip in May. Thanks in advance......
Seaquest Balance
- Thread starter code4cell
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
I've done about 200 dives on mine and, other than looking a bit old, it's as good as new. It has little or no inherent bouyancy and also, because it's not overloaded with padding and pockets, etc., has a fairly clean line in the water. It has a nice tapered trim in the water (unlike many of the BP/WIngs combos I've seen), with elastic to pull in the wings when not inflated. The mechanism they invented to lock in the integrated weights works well; mine have never fallen out. Since I bought mine they've added another dump valve (on the right shoulder), so now you have three places to dump from. I give it two thumbs-up as a great starter BC!
matt_unique
Guest
I used a Balance for about 5 years before I moved to BP/W. It was always a good BC for me. I use it when I travel and for winter shore dives. It's important to wet the straps and to squeeze them tight on your tank (as is the case with most BC's) to prevent tank slippage. I have only once had a tank slip and it was due to me not wetting the strap first. It's very streamlined, easy to use, plenty of lift for most applications, etc.
When I started out I bought the Balance BC, a Contour 7 wetsuit, and a second wetsuit layer with integrated hood. The cost of these items was $1000 total. To do again, I would go straight for a BP/W and a drysuit. You can swap out wings based on single tank needs or doubles should you ever wish to pursue that. My interests expanded beyond the safe limitations of the Balance. If I knew then what I know now I could have saved that $1000.
Back to your question - I found the Balance to be a good BC and I used several other types before I bought this one.
--Matt
When I started out I bought the Balance BC, a Contour 7 wetsuit, and a second wetsuit layer with integrated hood. The cost of these items was $1000 total. To do again, I would go straight for a BP/W and a drysuit. You can swap out wings based on single tank needs or doubles should you ever wish to pursue that. My interests expanded beyond the safe limitations of the Balance. If I knew then what I know now I could have saved that $1000.
Back to your question - I found the Balance to be a good BC and I used several other types before I bought this one.
--Matt
2divedeep
Guest
I just purchased mine in Jan 05. I have experienced the following problems: not being able to sink with the amount of weight I used prior to purchasing this bc. I have added additional 4lbs to compensate. Secondly, I wish it had an additional pocket. I got a good deal on it, othewise I would have thought heavily on the Knighthawk and Ranger bc's.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Grajan
Contributor
And my wife has a Libra (Ladies version of same).
Absolutely no regrets or complaints. It is comfortable, streamlined, light to pack and an alround good buy. We dive warm to moderate water. It might not have enough lift for cold water.
Absolutely no regrets or complaints. It is comfortable, streamlined, light to pack and an alround good buy. We dive warm to moderate water. It might not have enough lift for cold water.
code4cell:
KidK9
Contributor
SEARCH function please.
murphdivers286
Guest
I have the SQ Pro QD+. I am thinking about getting the Balance, Dive Rite Trans Pac, or a BP/W????
I used mine in 57 degree water two days ago for a training dive. I had extra weight in it (30lbs), as well as 25lbs of lead in a weight bag I swam with on the surface for 200 yards or so (we were doing search and recovery, and I was chosen to take our target out to the dive site). It has more than enough lift, and is a great BC.Grajan:
Grajan
Contributor
We are getting more adventurous every year.....
xSandman3:
code4cell:
The Balance is one of the best buys in SCUBA gear . . . especially for someone who will be travelling with it. Packs small and light, has back-inflate for good trim, plenty of lift, weight integrated and trim weight pouches, and a small pocket. Has everything you need, and only what you need.
theskull
Similar threads
