Brand Name reliability

[greyzen]

So I was hoping for some quick information on 'the best' brands out there.

For example, I'm told Scubapro is 'the stuff' for BCD/Mask/Reg and I wonder what everyone else thinks about the accessories.

Knife:
Lights (primary/secondary/tank):
Tanks:
Suits:



I don't mind saving money... but I don't want to save 5 bucks to replace the crappy gear in a week. Any other stuff you guys could think of helps too!

[Jaymeany]

I'm full up Tusa and Tilos. And a citizen watch.

[creggur]

Read my sig for my opinion....I like Oceanic too...

[rubberduck]

I like Apeks and Atomics

[reservecops]

In a word: Zeagle.

[subsur]

Knife: doesn't matter as long as you get the ones made from a high marine steel grade or titanium and have comfortable handle. line cutter is probably better - oms and dive-rite make good ones;
Lights (primary/secondary/tank): oms, diverite, halcyon, greenforce - very expensive though for primary (>600); for secondary ~ $100;
Tanks: worthington and faber for steel, don't know much about aluminum tanks.
Suits: lots of companies - bare, pinnacle, henderson just to name a few

[greyzen]

Awesome information!

So I keep seeing Zeagle pop-up. As a sales person in my life above the sea, I'm curious on the brand.

It seems they are the heaviest in advertising from my new to the world view... is this just because they own the markets or because they are new to the biz?

I was basically told by a non-LDS DM that
Henderson was great for suits, or pinnacle (depending on fit)
Lights: UK was the best all around
Knife: as long as it was non-corrosive it doesn't really matter
Tanks: no biggy until you get into specialty dives (IE: Cave diving)

In the case of diving and dive shops, are brand names really quality over advertising budget? Or am I selling my safety

[ScubaToys Larry]

Actually zeagle does very little actual advertising compared to the other guys. They are a US based company that got their reputation for excellent quality and customer service - and kinda became a cult brand.

I've been a fan personally for a long time, and as one of the first big internet stores, we did a lot of promotion of them sine we knew it to be top quality.

Just a very good company that actually cares about the customer.
I would say they are much more "the stuff" than scubapro. Scubapro has the long established name, but I'd take zeagle regs and bc's over theirs.

[greyzen]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

Actually zeagle does very little actual advertising compared to the other guys. They are a US based company that got their reputation for excellent quality and customer service - and kinda became a cult brand.

I've been a fan personally for a long time, and as one of the first big internet stores, we did a lot of promotion of them sine we knew it to be top quality.

Just a very good company that actually cares about the customer.
I would say they are much more "the stuff" than scubapro. Scubapro has the long established name, but I'd take zeagle regs and bc's over theirs.

Good info, thanks!

I'm still trying to plan out my gear purchases so I can keep the outflow of money on the budget (which I'm sure you've heard at least once or twice before ). If they are that reliable I might give them another look as they appear to be financially comparable.

I'm using a Knighthawk right now, and frankly I think either it's too small or I'm too tall (6'3"). I've been strapping the tank low to give me more clearance but I've run out of tank and I still have to be careful on my ascent or I bang my head on the reg.
Does Zeagle have a "Stretch" addition

[Hollywood703]

I love oceanic...All of my gear was purchased from them after some Excellent Customer Service I received....I refuse to buy from any manufacturer that has MAP pricing...Atomic...etc.....