Questions about this item:
Shopper Can I get the Icon with an "Air Control" octopus-inflator already installed instead of the regular inflator? Or do I need to buy the "Air Control" as an accessory and throw the regular inflator away?
PRASANNA S I didn't buy the Icon with the Air Control Octopus Inflator, but I did purchase a similar product made by Atomic Aquatics, the SS1. It also serves as a replacement to the stock power inflator, and provides an extra regulator. The BCD comes pre-installed with the stock power inflator, so you'll need to remove it and install the replacement yourself. However, the good news is that this is not a particularly difficult enterprise. I was able to do this in about twenty minutes. It helps to have a pair of needle-nosed pliers. Hope this helps. -P. Sridharan
PRASANNA S Hi,
I didn't get my Mares Icon with the Air Control Octopus Inflator, but I did purchase a similar product from Atomic Aquatics, the SS1, which takes the place of the power inflator as well. I had to install it myself, but it's a fairly simple process and didn't take me more than fifteen minutes. It does help to have a pair of needle-nosed pliers though.
Hope this helps.
-P. Sridharan
Bill P The Icon is not available with the Air Control system
ROBERT S A Mares has a few BCDs that you can order with the Airtrim system. Dragon AT, Kaila AT, Hub AT,and the Origin Sport AT. Those are all jacket style, not back inflate like the Icon. I don't think the AT system will work with the Icon. On the AT BCDs, the AT controls mount just above and slightly in front the weight pockets to a hole in the bladder. There is no place to mount this system on the Icon.
Nils J will this be ok for colder water? Do you carry the replacement weight pockets?
I am 5ft. 11in. and I weigh about 130-140 lbs. What size do you recommend?
Thanks so much for the help!
Nils J Wow, thanks for all the answers. We bought two, one for me and one for my dad. Can't resist at this great price! Thanks again!
FRED H Nils J
i do carry the replacement weight pockets and find the jacket warm
enought.
I weight about 230 so I can't advise about sizing.
GABRIEL Z Nils,
I purchased my BC about 2 years ago and I have only dove in northern CA from Monterey up and It works amazing for me in the cold water. I don't carry the extra weight pockets the built in ones hold enough weight for any dive. Also I have a M and i am 5'8 180 so the small or medium would work for you just based on your preference. Hope this helps
STEVE M I love it. I dive in the cold waters of Vancouver BC and the warm waters of Barbados. I carry the extra pockets in case I need to go up and drop them to the ocean floor. I wouldn't want to waste a trip diving b/c I didn't bring the pockets but so far I haven't had to use them. I'm about your size as well.
The only thing I wish it had were storage pockets for things.
This is my 3rd BCD and I'm happiest with this one.
JENNY K I live on calif. North coast and use it there it works fine in cold water and the pockets hold enough weight for what I use a 7 and 14 core suit. I have packed it up to a handy pack and take it on the plane with me for warm water trips. I am 5"7 158 and I wear a medium. I really like this BC but will say that I currently use a back plate BC because it is more conforming and does not get caught up on all kelp.
SHERIDAN S FYI, The BC is great,I don't carry weigtht pocket replacemant I take care My equipment very good.Cold water is very challange and this BC give you freedom under water if you are using 7mm + or a dry wetsuit .I live on NY closed to the great lake and dive there.Iam 5ft 7in and weight 190 lb My BC size is XL because I lifting weight and MY back is 52in w ,So depent wath you using for wetsuit I recoment medium large.
GORDAN T Nils,
You will need to get replacement weight pockets, because the poorly made zippers DO NOT LAST! I had to use zip ties to hold the weights in the pockets. Mares has been good about the warranty of the jacket itself, as it has developed leaks in the internal bladder that manages the boyancy. I'm on my second replacement. I would never buy another Mares product again! Pain in the rear end! I now own a Zeagle Ranger BCD and am very happy with the jacket. I live at a dive resort in the Philippines and dive 6 days a week. The dive shop has Seaquest BCD and they also seem to handle well. Good Luck!
GT
JERRY H Hi Nils,
I dive almost exclusively in the New England states in all seasons and it does a great job in colder water. I am 5'11" and 185lbs and my Large fits nice with my drysuit and all undergarments. You can buy replacement pockets of which I did so that I could have weight setup for both freshwater and saltwater. It is a very comfortable BCD and I recommend it highly. My only complaint on this BC is the roll up pockets for holding safety items/collecting found items, are a pain to use/see when underwater.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Jerry Helsing
MICHAEL R You can use it for cold water as long as you don't have very heavy equipment. The weight pockets are in the waist and trim pockets in the back.
JAMES M I've had the icon for about 2 years now and use it primarily in new england so cold water is no problem.
I'm also 5'11" and weigh approx 158lbs and use a medium. the height fits perfectly, however the waist strap is loose even with a 7mm wetsuit, especially at depth. So you may run into problems with it shifting during a dive or just feeling loose in general.
Shopper Is the Mares Icon suitable for waters at 45-55 F?
LeisurePro S Yes, should be fine down to around 40F.
Shopper Does it support 2 tank systems?
LeisurePro S Sorry, the Icon is not designed for twin tank systems. The best setup for double tanks really is a harness/backplate system.
Shopper I was wondering if you could put the airsource 3 on the icon.
LeisurePro S Yes you should be able to mount the Airsource 3 to Mares BCDs with the included adapter ring.
Shopper Do you sell Mares Icon BCD weight pockets?
LeisurePro S Here are the MRS pockets that will fit the Icon.
Shopper How much does the Icon weigh?
LeisurePro S The Icon weighs seven pounds, fifteen ounces.
Shopper Does the Mares Icon have a donut shaped baldder (goes all the way around at the bottom) or does it have a horseshoe shaped bladder?
LeisurePro S The Icon has a "double bag aircell" which is more like a horseshoe than a donut.
Shopper Which size is best for me? I'm 6'0" and weigh 180 lbs. I have a 40" chest and a 33" waist.
LeisurePro S I would recommend the large.
Warranty Information
This product has a limited warranty of 24 months.
www.mares.com
(800) 874-3236
In today's world of travel we are strictly confined by airline weight restrictions, therefore the design of your equipment needs to encompass elements to be travel friendly. Icon is the ideal Back Mount BC for traveling. The Quick-Pak system makes it easy to compact and transport the BC with a few simple moves. Once closed it is minimal 17" x 12" x 12" (45 x 30 x 30 cm) in size and can easily be transported in your suitcase or a small travel backpack.
Back mounted bladder providing high lift capacity when needed and complete freedom of movement on all your dives. Comfort padded backpack, metal D-rings, Mechanical Release System (MRS), dual position adjustable chest strap and one roll up zippered pocket makes this BCD the diver's choice.
Icon is equipped with Mares MRS-Plus 13 lbs (6 kg) Mechanical Release System. A simple click ensures easy and secure storage of the weight pockets. A single outward pull on the oversized handle releases the weights. If you don't need to use the maximum weight load each pocket has Velcro dividers to eliminate weight shifting adding stability to your dive. Two trim weight pockets attached to the tank strap hold an additional 10 lbs (4.5 kg) between the two pockets.
The Back Protection System-Plus (BPS) has a patented dual position lumbar backpack. Heavily padded in either position, you can double the padding for increased lumbar support or extend the length of the padding for ultimate dive and pre-dive comfort. Comfort is paramount with the Icon with its Independent Harness …Self Adjusting Harness System" (SAHS) developed by Mares for improve contouring of the BC to a woman's figure. This system consists of a pair of rings placed on the shoulder straps and inside the BC. They are angled in such a way that the shoulder straps take on the most natural position on the diver's chest , preventing discomfort and ensuring an excellent fit. Elastic cummerbund secures the BCD in place and adjusts for wetsuit compression at depth. A neoprene padded collar and internal plush lining also adds comfort.
Comfort is important, but durability means years of maintenance free use. The outside of the BCD is made from durable 420 Cordura denier Nylon with strong polyurethane inside. Five AISI 304 stainless steel D-Rings and grommets for accessory attachments and Mares Force Knife Collection allows maximum accessorizing.
Buoyancy control is established with the Ergo Inflator and two rear quick-dump/over-pressure relief valves. The Ergo is the standard inflation/deflation control unit on Mares BCD's, the Ergo inflator has been designed according to ergonomic guidelines. Intuitive to use and offers maximum grip.
With adjustable and removable chest strap, zippered pocket with a roll-up feature secured with Velcro when not in use, ergonomic transport handle, dual position hose clip for your gauges, shaped shoulder straps adapt better to the female body and lots of lift 45 lbs (20.5 kg) in the all sizes makes this one great BCD. Icon comes in five sizes and has a 24 month limited warranty.
- Back Inflator Style BCD
- MRS Plus included 13 lbs (6 kg) Capacity Per Pocket in Size L
- Trim Pockets 10 lbs (4.5 kg)
- Maximum Lift
- 1 Zippered Pocket Roll Up
- Ergo Power Inflator
- 420 Cordura Nylon/Polyurethane Construction
- Five AISI 304 Stainless Steel D-Rings
- Elastic cummerbund
- neoprene Padded Collar
- Interior Plush Lined
- Two Rear Quick Dump/Over-Expansion Relief Valves
Quick-Pak System- BPS Plus System
- Adjustable/Removable Chest Strap
- Shoulder Straps Relieve Shoulder Pressure
- SAHS
- Grommets for Attaching the Mares Force Knife
- Comfortable Transport Handle
- Dual Position Hose Clip for Gauges
- 2 Year Limited Warranty
| BC Body | Back Inflator | | buoyancy Bag | 45 lbs (20.5 kg) All Sizes | | Valves | 2 Rear Dump/Over Pressure Relief/Inflator Pull Dump | | Pockets | 1 Zippered Roll Down | | Shoulder Straps | Torso Adjustable | | Stainless Steel Rings | Yes 5 | | Waist Strap | Elastic cummerbund | | Chest Buckle | Adjustable/Removable | | Oral Inflator | Ergo Power Inflator | | Materials | 420 Cordura denier Nylon, Polyurethane, Aluminum | | Weight Integrated | Yes | | Weight Capacities | 26 lbs (12 kg) Large | | Weight | 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) |
BCD, 2 Quick Release Weight Pockets, LP Quick Disconnect Hose
By Minnesota Diver from Twin Cities, MN - Comfortable
- Durable
- Easily Adjustable
- Lots Of Features
- Cold Water
- Freshwater
- Recreation
- Warm Water
- Diving Type:
- Lake Diving, Open Water, Quarry Diving
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Easily Adjustable
- Lots Of Features
- Extreme Depths
- Recreation
- Wreck diving
- Diving Type:
- Drift Diving, Instucting, Night Diving, Rescue Diving, Wreck Diving
- Was this a gift?:
- No
By Scuba Gumby from Perth, Western Australia - Comfortable
- Durable
- Easily Adjustable
- Lots Of Features
- Cold Water
- Extreme Depths
- Recreation
- Warm Water
- Diving Type:
- Cave Diving, Night Diving, Open Water Diving, Rescue Diving, Wreck Diving
- Was this a gift?:
- No
11/30/2010 5.0Diving it in Africa - Awsome BCD!!! - Comfortable
- Durable
- Easily Adjustable
- Reliable BCD
- Extreme Depths
- Recreation
- Warm Water
- Diving Type:
- Night Diving, Open Water Diving, Rescue Diving, Wreck Diving
- Was this a gift?:
- No
8/27/2010 (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful) - Comfortable
- Durable
- Easily Adjustable
- Lots Of Features
- Extreme Depths
- Recreation
- Warm Water
- Diving Type:
- Drift Diving, Night Diving, Open Water Diving, Wreck Diving
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