ScubaLab: BCs - SeaSoft Sealion
Specifications
| Style | Jacket |
| Warranty | Two-Year Limited |
| Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.) | XS-30, S-34, Regular-42, Big-50 |
| Integrated-Weight System | Yes |
| Dry Weight | 7 lbs., 8 oz. (Size R) |
| Price | $490 |
| www.watermark1.com |
Features:
- Multiple adjustment options
- Removable back and lumbar pad
- Dual-tank-strap soft-pack design
Performance:
The SeaLion comes in only three sizes but offers so many adjustment opportunities that with just a little patience, you’ll be able to dial in a pretty good fit. The double pull-down shoulder straps are particularly nice –– one pair pulls vertically, the other pulls under your arms. It’s a bit complicated, but once test divers got used to it, they were able to feel snug and secure in the water and enjoy above-average stability. The SeaLion’s power inflator is an older style that’s larger than most modern power inflators, but it responds well to button commands. The absence of a carry handle, a right shoulder exhaust valve and cargo pockets was disappointing. On the other hand, the integrated weight pouches are well placed and easy to load because of the zippered top-loading design. Ditching was also easy with pull-down handles that release weight out the bottom of the pouch. The SeaLion comes with a retractor and brass clip for gauges, plus two stainless and two delrin D-rings. Trim weight pouches are optional.
Bottom Line:
It takes a little longer to get that perfect fit with the SeaLion, but once there you’ll be strapped into a solid temperate water rig.
| June 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links |
|---|
| General-Purpose BCs |
| --- |
| While they can be used for any type of diving, general purpose BCs are designed primarily for temperate- and/or cold-water diving with 7mm wetsuits or drysuits. General Purpose BCs tend to offer lots of buoyant lift across their size ranges along with heavy-load integrated weight systems. They often have large cargo pockets and larger D-rings for attaching additional gear. |
| Aeris EX100| Aeris EX200 |
| Aqua Lung Pro QD| Aqua Lung Pro LT |
| IST J-1000 Alpha| IST J-1200 Hydro D |
| ScubaMax Versa 3000| SCUBAPRO Seahawk |
| SeaSoft Sealion| Sherwood Tortuga |
| Zeagle Tech 10| |
| Travel BCs |
| --- |
| Travel BCs are lighter and more compact than General Purpose BCs. Many are designed to fold or stow in handy storage pouches for easy globe-trotting. Travel BCs tend to offer less buoyant-lift capacity and smaller weight pouches to suit warm-water diving scenarios. |
| Aqua Lung Zuma| Cressi Aquapro 5 |
| SCUBAPRO Geo| SCUBAPRO Litehawk |
| SeaSoft Travlite| Zeagle Express/Deluxe |
| Women's BCs |
| --- |
| Women are shaped differently than men, so it makes sense that a women’s BC would be shaped differently too. Women’s BCs are often cut higher along the waist and are more expansive in the chest area. Straps and adjustments accommodate shorter, narrower torsos, and power inflators are ultracompact to fit comfortably into smaller hands. |
| BARE Curve| Sherwood Luna |
| Tusa Selene II| |
Specifications
| Style | Jacket |
| Warranty | Two-Year Limited |
| Size/Buoyant Lift (in lbs.) | XS-30, S-34, Regular-42, Big-50 |
| Integrated-Weight System | Yes |
| Dry Weight | 7 lbs., 8 oz. (Size R) |
| Price | $490 |
| www.watermark1.com |
Features:
- Multiple adjustment options
- Removable back and lumbar pad
- Dual-tank-strap soft-pack design
Performance:
The SeaLion comes in only three sizes but offers so many adjustment opportunities that with just a little patience, you’ll be able to dial in a pretty good fit. The double pull-down shoulder straps are particularly nice –– one pair pulls vertically, the other pulls under your arms. It’s a bit complicated, but once test divers got used to it, they were able to feel snug and secure in the water and enjoy above-average stability. The SeaLion’s power inflator is an older style that’s larger than most modern power inflators, but it responds well to button commands. The absence of a carry handle, a right shoulder exhaust valve and cargo pockets was disappointing. On the other hand, the integrated weight pouches are well placed and easy to load because of the zippered top-loading design. Ditching was also easy with pull-down handles that release weight out the bottom of the pouch. The SeaLion comes with a retractor and brass clip for gauges, plus two stainless and two delrin D-rings. Trim weight pouches are optional.
Bottom Line:
It takes a little longer to get that perfect fit with the SeaLion, but once there you’ll be strapped into a solid temperate water rig.
| June 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links |
|---|
| General-Purpose BCs |
| --- |
| While they can be used for any type of diving, general purpose BCs are designed primarily for temperate- and/or cold-water diving with 7mm wetsuits or drysuits. General Purpose BCs tend to offer lots of buoyant lift across their size ranges along with heavy-load integrated weight systems. They often have large cargo pockets and larger D-rings for attaching additional gear. |
| Aeris EX100| Aeris EX200 |
| Aqua Lung Pro QD| Aqua Lung Pro LT |
| IST J-1000 Alpha| IST J-1200 Hydro D |
| ScubaMax Versa 3000| SCUBAPRO Seahawk |
| SeaSoft Sealion| Sherwood Tortuga |
| Zeagle Tech 10| |
| Travel BCs |
| --- |
| Travel BCs are lighter and more compact than General Purpose BCs. Many are designed to fold or stow in handy storage pouches for easy globe-trotting. Travel BCs tend to offer less buoyant-lift capacity and smaller weight pouches to suit warm-water diving scenarios. |
| Aqua Lung Zuma| Cressi Aquapro 5 |
| SCUBAPRO Geo| SCUBAPRO Litehawk |
| SeaSoft Travlite| Zeagle Express/Deluxe |
| Women's BCs |
| --- |
| Women are shaped differently than men, so it makes sense that a women’s BC would be shaped differently too. Women’s BCs are often cut higher along the waist and are more expansive in the chest area. Straps and adjustments accommodate shorter, narrower torsos, and power inflators are ultracompact to fit comfortably into smaller hands. |
| BARE Curve| Sherwood Luna |
| Tusa Selene II| |
