First dives in my new Brigade

[brianhmd]

Just got back from a NCL cruise. Dove the wreck of the RMS Rhone. It was the first dive with my new BC. The dives were great. There was quite a bit of current across the site. The dive crew told us it varies some days a lot of current some almost none. The first dive on the bow was great, trim was excellent with 1/3 of the wt in the rear trim pockets. One of our group had some trouble and we didn't get to do the swimthru. On the second dive I added extra wt becuse I felt that I needed it (Very dumb). The dive on the stern also great but I was overweighted made the dive difficult. Overall I loved my new BC and it functioned great except for my bad decision.

[DeeDoubleYou]

I just bought a Brigade and will be leaving for the Bahamas in a week to try it out! Did you leave the rear pockets on the lower tank strap? How much weight did you have up front and in the rear pockets? I took mine off only because it seems if I need any trim, it will be more useful higher up on the tank to balance out my negatively bouyant legs. Any tips are appreciated...

DW

[Splitlip]

Brian:
Please tell the jury how you removed the weights from your BC pockets after the dive?
Did you pull the ripcord and jettison the weights on the boat deck or at the bottom of the ocean.

I had a Stiletto, and one of the great misconceptions with the excellent Zeagle BC's is that you have to pull the ripcord to remove the weights; then rethread when you are ready to go again. Sheesh!Nonsense.
I never dumped my weights. Nice to know you can. But you can also selective remove them from any or all pockets.
You will especially recognize Zeagles excellence if you ever need customer service.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by DeeDoubleYou

I just bought a Brigade and will be leaving for the Bahamas in a week to try it out! Did you leave the rear pockets on the lower tank strap? How much weight did you have up front and in the rear pockets? I took mine off only because it seems if I need any trim, it will be more useful higher up on the tank to balance out my negatively bouyant legs. Any tips are appreciated...

DW

The trim weights on the lower straps were too low for me, but I kept the pockets there. I put XS weight pockets on the upper straps.
I used the Zeagle trim pockets for storage of a DSMB and a folding snorkel. Nice that they can be accessed.

[brianhmd]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Brian:
Please tell the jury how you removed the weights from your BC pockets after the dive?
Did you pull the ripcord and jettison the weights on the boat deck or at the bottom of the ocean.

I had a Stiletto, and one of the great misconceptions with the excellent Zeagle BC's is that you have to pull the ripcord to remove the weights; then rethread when you are ready to go again. Sheesh!Nonsense.
I never dumped my weights. Nice to know you can. But you can also selective remove them from any or all pockets.
You will especially recognize Zeagles excellence if you ever need customer service.

All I did to remove the weights was unzip the pockets and take them out just like I put them in.

I left the pockets on the lower band didn't seem to cause any problems. I had two lbs in each trim pocket and five in each front pocket (on my good dive).

[DeeDoubleYou]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

The trim weights on the lower straps were too low for me, but I kept the pockets there. I put XS weight pockets on the upper straps.
I used the Zeagle trim pockets for storage of a DSMB and a folding snorkel. Nice that they can be accessed.

Good call on using them for storage. I also purchased a set of XS weight pockets, but I found they are too wide to allow room for the buckle. Would it be possible to post a picture of your set-up, preferably with a tank?

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by DeeDoubleYou

Good call on using them for storage. I also purchased a set of XS weight pockets, but I found they are too wide to allow room for the buckle. Would it be possible to post a picture of your set-up, preferably with a tank?

I don't have the Zeagle anymore and I was usesing 8"d tanks. gives a little more room. The strap will not catch much velcro.
But remember, It is the cam that locks the strap, not the velcro. You may have to fiddle a little sliding the strap about. Something that may work better is bullet weights threaded on the strap.

[DeeDoubleYou]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

I don't have the Zeagle anymore and I was usesing 8"d tanks. gives a little more room. The strap will not catch much velcro.
But remember, It is the cam that locks the strap, not the velcro. You may have to fiddle a little sliding the strap about. Something that may work better is bullet weights threaded on the strap.

That is a fantastic idea, thanks!! I'll give it a try. I wish the XS pockets had a narrower strap to hold them on, then they'd be perfect.
But, of course, nothing in life worth doing is going to be easy!!

[FyVe]

So Brianhmd, Do we have another zeagle fan join the following? i know i love my zeagle concept II... i doubt i'll ever own a bc that is not zeagle.

[brianhmd]

Originally Posted by FyVe

So Brianhmd, Do we have another zeagle fan join the following? i know i love my zeagle concept II... i doubt i'll ever own a bc that is not zeagle.

You bet I am another fan. Just a little work on my part and it will be perfect. My wife also loved her new Zena but I'll let her report on her feelings.