Seaquest Surelock Problems?

[ifukuda]

Mike, Rich

The velcro on my BC seemed fine 50 dives ago too. I dive the temperate waters of SoCal in a 7mm wetsuit...8-lbs block weight in each pocket. I'm not sure if the cause of the wear can be attributed to the amount of weight I carry, or if it's just an due to the number of hours it's been in salt water (roughly 100 dives / 55 hours / 2 years). Whatever the reason, the velcro is wearing out; it's not just that the velcro is not sticking well, the loop side (patches on the BC) are literally thinning out.

I got off the phone about an hour ago with the repair tech at SeaQuest. He'd mentioned that this type of wear is not unreasonable, and that it would be a good idea to replace the velcro patches. All I need to do is to take my BC to any authorized SeaQuest dealer, and they would send the BC to him.

 

[Charlie99]

I'm not sure if the cause of the wear can be attributed to the amount of weight I carry, or if it's just an due to the number of hours it's been in salt water (roughly 100 dives / 55 hours / 2 years). Whatever the reason, the velcro is wearing out; it's not just that the velcro is not sticking well, the loop side (patches on the BC) are literally thinning out.

The rate of deterioration is probably more related to how many times you insert and remove the pockets. I try to minimize the in/out cycles, and the velcro on my BC is in pretty good shape after about 200 dives on my older Pro QD. There is some loss of holding power --- it takes about twice the effort to open the velcro on my newer Pro QD+, with only 30 or 40 dives on it.

With the pockets properly inserted, the weights apply force to the outer flap velcro in a direction which is sideways to the hook and loop interface, and it would take a tremendous loss of holding power for a pocket to drop out. OTOH, something that snags the release handle is more likely to peel open old velcro.

A possible solution would be to add a fastex type quick release between the BC and the end of the weight pocket flap that has the handle. Normal operation would be to open the fastex QR, then remove the pocket. If the QR were attached to the BC with an o-ring as a breakaway link, it would be very secure, yet still a simple grab-the-handle-and-yank operation in an emergency. So far I haven't been sufficiently concerned to make the modification.

Charlie Allen

 

[d33ps1x]

I have a Pro Unlimited and have never had a problem with the weight pockets which are the newer weight system this year.

 

[jhelmuth]

I dive a Balance with the new "Surelock" IW pockets. I've also dived the traditional velcro. Both work well. I like the Surelock slightly better (velcro degrades over time - but you can always replace it for very little money) because of the click, ease of use, and I feel that it is more reliable. If you "chatch" the pocket on something - either may unfasten / come loose - and fall out. There is no perfect ditch system.

 

[DWJ]

I have a Balance BC with the Surelock pockets, No problems.

 

[scorpiofish]

I've seen it happen too many times. First, velcro wears out, period. Second, if the area to area contact is not fully complete, the holding power is greatly diminished. Sure, you can call this user error, but I call it a design weakness. It's no different than certain tires that would blow out below 27psi. Tire inflation was to be kept between 32 and 35psi. User error?

I've had to chase a few weight pouches. One susceptability was a back roll where the pressure of crashing against the water would hit the pouch tab in the direction to undue it.

I spoke to the regional rep about the problem. Seaquest was well aware of the problem because of numerous complaints. Their testing continued to tell them there was no problem, but they finally decided to change the system.

I have not tried the new system. I've switched BCs and only use the Seaquest for teaching in the pool. Selling Seaquest weight pouches used to be pretty good business.

 

[Ari]

I am not sure that it is the surelock system, but my buddy, diving a seaquest BCD with integrated weights lost a pocket not too long ago. I know of at least two more divers that lost a seaquest weight.

Ari

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

As Scorpiofish said ... velcro wears out, period. Doesn't matter who's BC it's on. If you haven't noticed yet that your velcro attachment is weaker than it used to be, that's because you haven't yet put enough dives on the system for it to become an issue. Eventually it will, if you dive often enough.

That's the nature of velcro ... has nothing to do with who made the BCD.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MgicTwnger]

I've been using a Balance with the velcro pockets for about two years with no problems. I've also seen dealers who are selling both models, with the velcro priced way under the surelock.

 

[pasley]

I use a Nautica by Dacor that had the velcro. Lost the weights 3 times. One time I think I may have acidently done it while trying to get into my pocket. Or the kelp did it or who knows. Last time I sent the system for annual service I had noticed a pin hole, they replaced the 2 yr old BC and my new system has both velcro and a banonet system - sweet. Know anyone who wants 4 Dacor weight pouches (2 brand new)?

I would never buy a pure velcro locking system. Design is bad with all 9 pounds or more hanging on the velcro in the swimming position.