Thinking of the Sea Quest BC with Sea Quest i3

[johnnyscience]

I seen this BC a little while ago & was really impressed with it. (Athough I've never seen it in person)

Wondering what the consensus on it was & if there are others that have a similar design/concept but for a lower price.

Thanks.

 

[lxchin]

the bc tends to be a bit more buoyant compared to the normal pro qld. You will require more weights!

 

[johnnyscience]

the bc tends to be a bit more buoyant compared to the normal pro qld. You will require more weights!

That isn't necessarily a bad thing isn't it?

This is a really good BCD isn't it? (just expensive it seems) The way it inflates and deflates is a lot different than normal and seems quite easy.

Is this a normal size BCD or is it on the smaller side since it's a bit newer/different of a design? (I'm looking for compact as I'm planning on buying the Dive Caddy for trips and want to keep it as small as I can)

Are there other similar BCD's on the market?

 

[c5diver]

what kind of diving would you be doing with it? if you plan to use a drysuit ever this is not the bc for you. there are several companies that make a system like the i3, cressi has "flight control" mares has "air trim" the issue with a drysuit is the bcd control is down near your left hip so you can't vent your suit from the left shoulder and your bcd from your left hip at the same time. in the end i dove the i3 system for about a year, then went to a back inflate bcd and have never been happier. the back inflate is much more comfortable and stable in my opinion. size wise it is just a little bigger(has the added piece where the i3 is mounted) than the standard pro qd and a bit heavier. hope that helps.

 

[johnnyscience]

Hmm well I plan on only warm water reef diving.

But now you brought up a discomfort factor perhaps and now made me doubt it. I'll check out those other two you suggested.

 

[c5diver]

i don't like the way a jacket style bcd squeases you when you inflate it, the other two i mentioned are also jacket stlye. have you looked at a back inflate? like a zeagle ranger or stiletto, or a cressi bacjac, diverite transpac they are very comfortable. but are standard inflator not like the i3.

 

[johnnyscience]

i don't like the way a jacket style bcd squeases you when you inflate it, the other two i mentioned are also jacket stlye. have you looked at a back inflate? like a zeagle ranger or stiletto, or a cressi bacjac, diverite transpac they are very comfortable. but are standard inflator not like the i3.

I guess this is just one of those things you've got to try to see what you like. I'll hopefully be able to try the difference before I buy one.

 

[johnnyscience]

I dont know, after seeing a bunch of videos I think I still really like the Seaquest i3 the best.

i guess I wont know for sure until I try some on, but it seems to have some really nice features.

It does seem a little bulky around the waist, but sine the weight belt is built into it I suppose the bulkiness is as standard as any other BCD out there.

 

[jcfahy]

I have the i3 and really like the inflator and design for someone like me who carries camera equip and an SMB. Its dry weight is 8 lbs and has reasonable sized pockets so it is not compact but not excessively bulky. I never found squeeze to be an issue but I agree with lxchin that initially it felt a little bit more bouyant than some other jackets that I have used but not so much that I needed to adjust my weighting. You are on the right track of trying it first to see if you like it.

 

[phaust]

got one for 2 years and it'S work great, never had a problem with it EXPECT one thing

it's happen time to time, that when im on my knee's i accidentaly push the inflate i3 system and it's inflate until i make a move

or when im underwater and try to remove extra air from my drysuit ,pushing my legs again my chest(don't know how to say it in english but you know.. make a small ball of yourself) then the inflator get activated ( not a good thing underwater) i can't explain this in english but the BC get fold where the i3 system is.

it's happen when i use a dry suit only..

otherwise verry happy with it