SeaQuest Pro Unlimited OR Mares Morphos Pro

[nunomix]

Fellow Divers,

I want to buy my first BCD. With regard to the regulator I am thinking of buying the Aqualung Legend LX Supreme. Anyway, I do not know which BCD is the best. I do not mind to pay some extra but I want to be sure that I will buy a good BCD.

Until now I have always dived in warm waters, but I want to start diving also in Europe (Portugal, for example, in the winter). One important think for me is to have some space for storing, for example, a treble light mx8. I also do underwater photography (rookie, though).

I would like you to give me your thoughts about these two BCDs, or if you think there is one better, please let me know. Do you also know if I can also dive with two bottles with these BCDs?

I also notice that the buttons of the inflator look strange in the Seaquest. It looks like a breather in one of the edges. Do you know what is this?

Thank you.

Regards

 

[Antics]

I don't know much about the Mares BC, but I picked up a Pro Unlimited almost 3 years ago. I absolutely love it!!

I work as a DM in the UK, so I do a fair amount of cold water diving. I've probably done +200 dives in my Pro Unlimited, including being draged over the rocks by out of control students and it still looks in almost shop condition. The material is very strong and hard wearing, it's also dyed as thread rather than as fabric, so it holds its black colour for ages (mine's still black even after who knows how many hours in chlorine swimming pools). The pockets are fairly big, although I can't think of any BCD which has really easy to get into pockets. The integral weight system is secure, weights don't fall out on you! Most of all I love how comfortable it is, I have twin 300bar 7l on the back and I can walk around, bend over to do up fins and not have any trouble with the weight shifting around or back ache later in the day.

The inflator is like a standard one, it just looks a bit odd.

It also fits over my dry suit and is still good and tight when I'm in a wetsuit. The bladder inflates like a semi wing, so you never get crushed when its full at the surface and it holds you in a great position underwater. There's also loads of d rings to hang stuff off and plenty of padding in the shoulder straps.

I know they cost a bit more than most BCD's, but I'd definitely recommend the Pro unlimited. Four other guys at the shop I work at bought them after I picked one up, nuff said....

Funnily enough I've also got a set of Aqualung Legends....

 

[ScottZeagle]

You should check out a BP/W setup!!!

Sorry, I just always wanted to be the first to say it in a post...

 

[nunomix]

Thanks a lot for your reply Antics. I was more pending to the pro unlimited but now I am even more sure about it.

Thanks once again.

 

[nunomix]

Could you please elaborate with what you mean? Thanks

You should check out a BP/W setup!!!

Sorry, I just always wanted to be the first to say it in a post...

 

[Tanked Monkey]

Could you please elaborate with what you mean? Thanks

I think he is referring to the well-known fact that whenever someone asks which BC to buy, someone always says that a BP/W setup is the best way to go. (I'm guilty of this as well)

Mike

 

[Antics]

Thanks a lot for your reply Antics. I was more pending to the pro unlimited but now I am even more sure about it.

Thanks once again.

I had to rush yesterday, it was time to leave work and go grab a beer!

There is one drawback to the pro unlimited, its great having a hardwearing, nicely padded BCD, but the thing is HEAVY. It can make it harder on your weight allowance when you're trying to get on a flight (always grief for divers) and it doesn't exactly pack down small. I mention this, but its only a small problem for a great jacket. I've managed to carry mine to plenty of places, just take less clothes!

If you go for the unlimited make sure you get the right size for you, a lot of the back support and tank stabilising stuff only works at its best if the jacket fits well. Its worth making them order one in for you if the ones they have don't quite fit.

Also, if you're planning on more European diving and you're after Aqualung Legends make sure you get the cold water spec regs (there's a cute little snowflake on top of the second stage).

Cheers.

 

[nunomix]

That might actually be a bit of a problem. Being heavy and not small when packing is really a big of a hurdle. Like everybody always say: no perfect BCD, right?

Do you know by any chance of how much weight would that be? I have been trying to see in their webpage but cannot find it.

I read in the webpage of Mares, that the Morphos can be easily folded into a lightweight, compact "cocoon". So now I dont know again what to do regarding the BCD. The Seaquest BCD looks better though. And I do not know of any experiences with that BCD :/


With regard to the regulator, is there any inconvenient in diving in warm waters with the Legend LX Supreme (the one for cold waters)? And do you know by any chance why is the Legend LX (for warm waters) more expensive than the LX Supreme?

Thanks once again for your help.

I will also post another thread to see if anyone knows about Mares Morphos Pro, as an alternative.

Regards

 

[RICHinNC]

There are a lot of people here that think a bp and wing is the better set up. It is really a personal thing. I started with the SQ Pro QD and loved it. Only drawbacks were, it was a bear to travel with.....and it kept riding up on me in the water.

I now dive a bp and wing and wish I had started out with one.

Pick what you like....experiment with many....enjoy.
rich

 

[Antics]

When I said the weight was a drawback I didn't mean its like carrying several lead weights with you! Its heavier than a BCD you might hire, but then that's what higher build quality creates.

I've managed to get all my dive kit and clothes for a two week holiday into a standard dive/holiday bag and keep it under the 25Kg weight limit for a flight. You'll just notice the size/weight thing when you compare it to wing type BCDs. As for the Mares claim on 'lightweight and compact', I'd say that's a pretty relative statement, rolled into its coccon doesn't make it any lighter or that much easier to cram into a holiday bag (I realise Mares owners out there will probably pan me for this)

If you really want a small light BCD take a look at DUI Delta or maybe Tusa Imprex Pro, but you will lose out on pocket size and d rings for any camera kit, etc.

The best thing to do is get to a few different dive shops and try loads of BCDs on, find something you think is comfortable and you're happy with. I'd still go the pro unlimited, but then everyone always thinks the kit they have is the best!

As for the the regs and the price difference, I don't know. There's nothing wrong with using cold water regs in the warm, the problems are more associated with taking warm water regs into the cold! I don't know where you're seeing the price difference, but it could have something to do with a special offer Aqualung were running last year. They knocked 40% of some of their reg sets and the Legend LX Supreme was one of them, could be someone is trying to get rid of excess stock they built up at the time. The cold water Legend LX Supreme (with Legend Octo) should be the top set of Aqualung regs. It's certainly a great breath and mine have never free flowed on me, even at 35m in 4°C!

hope this all helps...