mrose - 4/06/2014 8:37 AM
I agree that the i3 is not the best design for close quarters such as cavern diving and wreck penetration. If I get into more technical diving, I’ll probably look for equipment more suited for close quarters. However, I haven’t had any problems with unintended inflation and neither has my dive buddy who has about 100 dives with his i3. I’ve done some light wreck penetrations and cenote diving (highly recommended) in Mexico without issue.
It comes down to knowing your equipment. If the i3 valve sticks, the low pressure hose disconnects right behind the handle and you could pull the hose off. You’d have to do the same thing if your standard inflator valve sticks. Neither would be a good scenario and I’m not convinced either is more likely to happen than the other.
For me, I feel the added precision and ease of adjusting my buoyancy and the ability to dump air in a horizontal position outweighs the potential negatives of the i3. It’s just personal preference of whether you like the i3 enough.
Sometimes it’s hard to try equipment out without an unbiased dive shop trying to sell you what they have in stock. Definitely take into consideration the input from more experienced divers, but always consider the source. There are valid reasons on why the i3 might not be the best BC for you. But if it makes you more comfortable in the water and more likely to dive more often, then it’s probably the best choice.
Good luck!