Picked up a used Seaquest a few weeks ago. I love how easy it is to get perfect trim underwater.
On the surface, with most weight configurations, it pushes me face down a bit. The interesting thing is that while is is not very stable in a vertical position, if I lean totally into a backfloat position, it is easy to maintain--maybe because it lays my steel tank below the air bladder. Nice for surface swims. Alternatively, when I load most of my weights in the trim pockets and on my weight belt, rather than in the integrated weight pockets, it floats me vertically almost like a jacket BC.
It does not dump air easily--I think that one reason for this is that the velco strap that attaches the inflator hose to the shoulder strap is set a bit low, putting a big U-shaped upward bend into the hose and trapping air. I usually unvelcro the hose and hold it straight up from the shoulder for ascents. And underwater, I roll to bring either the shoulder or the hip to the highest point.
A question: Where do you attach your knife or snips on this BC?
Also, I am new to weight integrated BCs. Will regular lead weights wear out the pockets, so that you have to use shot, or are they OK?
On the surface, with most weight configurations, it pushes me face down a bit. The interesting thing is that while is is not very stable in a vertical position, if I lean totally into a backfloat position, it is easy to maintain--maybe because it lays my steel tank below the air bladder. Nice for surface swims. Alternatively, when I load most of my weights in the trim pockets and on my weight belt, rather than in the integrated weight pockets, it floats me vertically almost like a jacket BC.
It does not dump air easily--I think that one reason for this is that the velco strap that attaches the inflator hose to the shoulder strap is set a bit low, putting a big U-shaped upward bend into the hose and trapping air. I usually unvelcro the hose and hold it straight up from the shoulder for ascents. And underwater, I roll to bring either the shoulder or the hip to the highest point.
A question: Where do you attach your knife or snips on this BC?
Also, I am new to weight integrated BCs. Will regular lead weights wear out the pockets, so that you have to use shot, or are they OK?