Budget Conscious & Safety Minded
I need to be honest right up front. I have never personally used or dived with anybody using SEAC equipment. It might be a location thing; maybe it’s the type of diving I do. However, just because I never used any SEAC equipment didn’t mean I treated the EQ-Pro any differently than any other BCD I’ve tested.
After my research was complete I took the EQ-Pro to the quarry. Before I even hit the water I found myself with a bit of a problem. The tank band has a weird design. It’s almost as if it’s trying to be a cam band, but there’s not a lot of difference between the open position and the closed position.
I just couldn’t get my tank to stay where it was without sliding. This is why it’s good to have a diving community to ask for advice. After talking with a few friends I simply switched out the band that came with the EQ-Pro with a personal backup band.
With that little bump in the road out of the way I got down to testing the EQ-Pro. I was pleasantly surprised. This BCD feels and performs much like other traditional jacket-style BCDs that cost double, or even triple what the EQ-Pro costs.
My favorite feature of the SEAC EQ-Pro is the amount of D-rings on the BCD—two on each shoulder; one on each side at the pockets; and one on each side at the base of the BCD. I really had my choice of where I attached my gear.
I also liked the lightness of the EQ-Pro, and the carrying handle is a nice perk, making it easy to haul around when you’re not wearing it. One simple, but extremely neat design feature of the EQ-Pro is how the pockets expand once unzipped. At times it can be hard to reach into the pockets of a traditional jacket-style BCD, but not so with the EQ-Pro.
Outside of the problem with the tank band, I have two small complaints. The first is with the integrated pockets, which snap in but, nonetheless, do move around a bit. They clip in using a canvas attachment to the weight pocket itself, and the clip is on the outside of the BCD. It stays secure, but the internal part of the pocket can develop some wiggle. You’re not going to lose any weight, and you might not even notice, but I had to mention it.
The other issue is that the power inflator isn’t all that powerful and doesn’t necessarily have the ability to put what I call “little puffs of air” into your BCD and make those small adjustments. It’s either one big blast every time you push the button or a tiny trickle of air if you push lightly. You might not even notice, but when you get to the depth where you want to fine tune your neutral buoyancy it can become aggravating.
Overall, the SEAC EQ-Pro is a good, budget-friendly BCD that’s a great fit for a new diver trying to save a little money after buying a top-tier regulator, or an experienced diver looking for a relatively affordable backup BCD.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
The SEAC EQ-Pro BCD is a traditional, jacket-style BCD that’s relatively light at just 7.7 pounds (in the large model)*. That light weight still carries a lot with a lift capacity of 33.7 pounds (in the large model). Weights for other sizes are not published by the manufacturer.
Some of the online literature says the EQ-Pro has eight metal D-Rings, however, my model has six, and all of the pictures I found online appear to confirm my observations. It may be a typo, but we observed six D-rings.
The tank is secured by a single band. Read the full review to read our concerns with the tank band attached to the EQ-Pro.
In all sizes, each integrated weight pocket can hold up to 4.4 pounds. The EQ-Pro does have trim pockets, but the weight capacity is not published by the manufacturer.
*Lift Capacity: XS, S: 22.4 lbs.; M: 29.2 lbs.; L: 33.7 lbs.; XL: 35.9 lbs.
Accessories
SEAC produces many budget-friendly accessories, including masks, computers, and gear bags. They also manufacture a line of budget-friendly wetsuits. One of our favorite accessories is a good set of boots, and those become even more important in cold conditions, which is why we really like the Pro HD dive boots. While you’re here, check out our review of the SEAC Ajna scuba mask.
Price/Quality Ratio
The SEAC EQ-Pro BCD falls into our budget category, meaning this BCD is great for new divers trying to save a little money while they become more and more accustomed to diving. It also makes for a great backup or travel BCD for experienced divers needing a piece of equipment that is reliable.
The EQ-Pro offers no bells and whistles, but it does offer a solid choice for those seeking a traditional, jacket-style BCD. I would take a few of the dollars you save and buy a completely different tank band though. The design makes it extremely hard to get the strap tight prior to clipping it down with the cam buckle.
Do we recommend the SEAC EQ-Pro BCD?
We do recommend the SEAC EQ-Pro BCD, especially for new divers trying to save some money while purchasing all their own gear. It’s a good budget BCD that has a lot of accessories, including six D-rings and a safety whistle.
It would also make a good backup BCD for experienced divers, and especially divers who spend a lot of time in a pool where they don’t want to take their high-dollar equipment for extended periods of time.
The swivel buckles make it a good BCD for both men and women, as they help the BCD adjust to different body types.
Specs & Features
| Inflation | Traditional jacket-style |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.7 pounds (size large) |
| Lift capacity | 33.7 pounds (size large) |
| Clips/D-Rings | Six metal D-rings |
| Adjustment points | Shoulder straps, waist, and chest strap |
| Tank attachment | Single cam-band |
| Weight capacity | 4.4 pounds (each pocket) |
Take a moment to look at this.
