SeaQuest Pro QD BCD Review

December 19th, 2005

The SeaQuest Pro QD is about as traditional of a BCD design as you can find. However, after using other new-fangled BCs, I’ve come to appreciate the proven model of a jacket-style buoyancy control device. For a brief description of the difference between the two styles of BCDs, read my post on the SeaQuest Balance. Though the Pro QD does not pack as tightly as the ultra-lightweight Zeagle Stiletto I wrote about earlier this year, it does have advantages that make it a better option to go with if you’re using it in the same locale most of the time, mostly due to its solid stability at depth and on the surface. Also, by giving up the compact form factor, this SeaQuest offers a plethora of attachment points and comfort padding in the right places.

Lets start with the basic features:

• Patented Sure Lock mechanical weight release system
• Non releasable rear weight pockets
• Fully reinforced internal harness to support and distribute load
• All wear areas are made of tough Armorshield Cordura
• Thick, comfortable, neutrally buoyant foam padding
• Contoured Backpack provides plenty of stability
• 4 pull dumps for heads up or down descents and venting
• Swivel buckle shoulder straps
• 6 metal and 4 plastic D-rings
• Over-molded carrying handle
• 2 (decent) zippered pockets
• Grommets for attaching knife directly to the BC

Some of these features seem ridiculously common for BCs, but you’d be surprised how many companies butcher them, rendering their products less capable than they otherwise would be. The problem is that equipment manufacturers are under pressure to release something groundbreaking every year so that the product can be marketed. No one wants to serve an ad that says ‘_____ BCD, completely carried over from last year!’. Thus, even when particular models are as good as they can get, companies still attempt to reinvent them, sometimes to the detriment of the product line. The Pro QD is an example of a tested and proven form factor that has kept people happy in the water for decades. It really doesn’t have many snazzy features, despite what the brochure will try to tell you. Its just a dependable, stable, good looking jacket-style BCD that can take any amount of abuse and still keep on truckin’.

I choose to use the Pro QD over the back-buoyancy style BCs I’ve recently used because I like the way it fits and feels, and also because it doesn’t trap air and have a tendency to roll you to one side or the other, as much as the back-inflate types do. Its totally a personal preference whether you like the freedom of the air behind you, or if you like the feeling of being securely inside a jacket. I personally like the latter, many people will disagree though.

Aside from the obvious differences between back-inflate and jacket-style, I still think the Pro QD beats down any other BCD in its class, such as the Scubapro Glide Plus and Classic Air, Mares Morphos Pro and Oceanic Probe QLR. The combination of the swivel buckles on the shoulder straps, myriad of D-rings, grommets for BC knife, contoured backpack and pull dumps in every corner of the BC makes the Pro QD the all around top performer in its class both in terms of performance and comfort. Sure Lock is nice but I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with velcro. The argument goes that velcro wears out and to this I usually say that if the weight pockets’ velcro is worn then so will the cummerbund’s, and you’ll have to get a new BC anyways. Nothing on this BCD stands out as revolutionary and thats probably exactly why its such a great piece of gear. My only knock on the Pro QD (and this goes for all SeaQuest BCDs) is that the power inflator/vent hose is not accommodating to the Atomic SS1. Overall, there are no frills and spiffy re-inventions of the wheel, just a quality made and time tested solid jacket-style buoyancy control device.

Entry Filed under: Gear, SCUBA