Aqualung Axiom i3 BCD Review
A comfortable, intuitive jacket BCD with a unique inflator that works well but may outlive its usefulness.
Price Tier: $$
Ownership: Personally owned and used for ~40 dives, then sold after switching to BP/W
Overall Score: 7.2
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intuitive i3 inflator system with reliable function | i3 confuses unfamiliar divers |
| Very comfortable in and out of the water | Poorly placed pockets are hard to access |
| Durable and travel-friendly design | Weight pocket system is clunky and error-prone |
Why I Chose Aqualung Axiom i3
This was my first BCD purchase. I wanted something comfortable and capable in both cold and warm water, and the i3 inflator caught my attention as an innovative way to manage buoyancy. It felt like a solid all-purpose option for a new diver just getting started. I used it for my first 40 dives, including quarry dives in the Midwest and several in Florida. Eventually, I knew I’d be headed toward drysuits, wrecks, and more advanced dives, so I planned to transition away from jackets. The Axiom was a good first step.
Performance in the Water
- Trim & Buoyancy: Trim was acceptable for jacket style, though more vertical at the surface. Buoyancy control was smooth thanks to the i3 lever, which added or dumped air reliably in all positions.
- Comfort: Extremely comfortable to wear and use. Easy to put on, take off, and adjust. Tank strap and padding made it feel secure without squeeze.
- Control / Function: The i3 system functioned well throughout my ownership. It never malfunctioned. Other divers often didn’t understand it, which made group use occasionally awkward.
Verdict
The Axiom i3 gave me a reliable and comfortable platform to start diving. I never had problems with it in the water, and I enjoyed using the inflator even though others did not. But once I knew I’d be diving drysuit, wreck, and penetration environments, I knew it was time to switch to a backplate and wing system. That change was absolutely the right decision. The Axiom doesn’t do anything wrong, but like most jacket BCDs, it has a ceiling for progression.
Would I buy it again? No. It was a good first BCD, but it’s not the right fit for where I’m going now.
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
| Category | Score (0–10) | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | 8 | 30% | 2.4 |
| Ease of Use | 7 | 20% | 1.4 |
| Versatility | 6 | 15% | 0.9 |
| Durability & Build Quality | 8 | 15% | 1.2 |
| Value | 6 | 10% | 0.6 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | 7 | 10% | 0.7 |
| Total | 7.2 | ||
Rounded Display Score: 7.2
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 8: Delivered reliable buoyancy control in all environments. i3 system worked perfectly and felt natural to use.
- Ease of Use – 7: Very comfortable and easy to operate, but storage access and weight pocket design limited practical use.
- Versatility – 6: Great for rec dives in all climates but lacks long-term adaptability for advanced or technical goals.
- Durability & Build Quality – 8: No durability issues across 40 dives. Materials held up well and nothing failed.
- Value – 6: Priced fairly for the category, but loses value as soon as your goals shift beyond entry-level diving.
- Brand Trust & Transparency – 7: Aqualung is a household brand in scuba, though more traditional than progressive in design philosophy.