Mares Vs. Zeagle

[Penguino]

I'm a new diver and did most of my training in a Mares Kailia (women's bcd??) and it was extremely comfortable. Now looking to buy my own BC, I was going to stick with Mares but I am reading all sorts of great reviews for the Zeagles. I tried a Zeagle Ranger (I think) on in the store about a week ago and wasn't overly impressed. I know a good portion of choosing a BC is personal preference, so my question is if Mares is a good brand and secondly is it worth getting the weight integrated Dragon vs. the Sport?

[fireflock]

If you can, you would probably find it valuable to at least try the 3 main styles of BC before you decide which one to buy.

Jacket BC's are the most common, with an air cell that wraps around the diver. Back-inflate BC's look sort of like Jacket BC's but with an air cell that is only behind the diver. A Backplate and Wing also keeps the air cell behind the diver and puts more of the weight on your back instead of around your waist.

Once you decide which style you prefer, you can look at brands. Pay attention to how each style feels both on the surface and underwater.

Rich

[DiverBoy100]

Mares is a very good brand...be careful some times i think you are paying a little more than you need to with Mares because of the name...i dive with the Zeagle Brigade and it has done its job...i got more than 120 dives on it in the past year and half when bought it...i will recommend that you go with weight integrated no matter what bc you get...i think ranger is to much bc for new divers (but if you like by all means get it)...if you want to another zeagle bc try the brigade or Zeagle Zena (women bc)...my mom is finely getting into the sport and is a very picky lady when it comes to this stuff and she fell in love with this bc...but as you know it is what fells comfortable to you...

Jacob

[Zenagirl]

The best BC is the one that fits you best and that you enjoy diving in. The Kailia has gotten very strong reviews and there are a lot of women who endorse it. If YOU prefer the Mares BC, then bless you and enjoy it!

I would recommend that you go weight integrated though. My first BC was not weight integrated and I found managing a weight belt to be a pain (on my hips!). It also had a tendency to slip, so I felt like I was constantly adjusting it. With the weight integration, I drop the weights in the pockets, zip them in and never think about them again until the diving is over.

[Penguino]

What about trim weight pockets (I think thats what they are called... the ones where you put weight in, usually in the back that can't be dumped)? Are they worth it? Does it really have that great of effect on your trim?

[CODMAN]

Oh yes it does! Trim pokets let you balance the weight out. On my recent dive trip, my girlfriend had put about 10% of her weight in her trim pockets. After a few dives, she was complaining (and she was right!) that she was not horizontal (legs pulling her down). Before the next dive, I upgraded to about 30% of the weight in the rear trim pockets, and it corrected her trim nicely! She was happy!

Using the trim pockets is an advanced feature well worth taking the time to test in a pool before going diving to get the best position for you. Or, to fine tune over time if you don,t want to take a pool session to do it...

Go for the integrated weights! You won't regret it and probably will never look back!

Cheers!

[fireflock]

The path to horizontal trim includes getting weight distributed so it is on top of your back (where the air cell lifts up) and not around your waist. When the air cell lifts the middle of you back, and your weight belt pull down around your hips, you tend to go head up and feet down.

Trim pockets help get that weight away from your hips and up towards the air cell.

A backplate does the same thing; it's sort of like a built in trim weight.

[abcitydiver]

I agree that trying all three "types" of bc's is a solid idea. However, if you are like most people, you are limited as to what is locally available to you for trying out.
So, your opinion of each of the types will be colored by which brand and style you've been able to try out. If you have found a style/brand/model you like, then i say stick with it. I adore my dragon, and the way it fits ME. That doesnt mean its going to be right for you. Try one on, and out in a pool if you can. DEFINATELY get the weight integrated.
As for paying more.....i've seen the Dragon AT (which I have) listed from 600-900 (the higher prices were all local shops). I bought it easily for mid $400's with just one phone call to an online site.
Dont be put off so early in the game by prices.
Yes, Mares is a very well respected brand.
Oh, even though you didnt ask <grin> ;re the airtrim....I think its great, easy to get used to (1 dive), and easier to get used to as a newer diver.
Best part of the AT system; when you go to dump air, depressing the the dump "button" releases air from both a shoulder and lower valve at the same time, effectively eliminating the need to be in a particular position to use a particular dumping technique....head up...butt up...doesnt matter!
Have fun shopping and have a great life of diving!

[CODMAN]

You didn't ask about the airtrim option that comes with the Mares Dragon. ABC basically gave you a good idea of what it is and does, and I definetly agree! I use a mares BCD with airtrim (an earlier version of the Dragon) and absolutely love it and the airtrim! I've used both systems and I prefer by far the airtrim... This said, don't forget that you are shopping for what YOU prefer and what fits YOU best.

Cheers!

[thor]

I also dive with a Mares. I have a Dragon (without the airtrim). I think it is a great compromise between a bank inflate and a jacket BC. Although it is a jacket style BC, the aircell has a sort of wing shape in the back which wraps around the tank. I find trim to be much better than other jacket styles I had tried.

The only major down side I find with the Mares vs the Zeagle, is that the Zeagle is much easier to put weight into the weight pockets of the BC. The Zeagle has a zipper that allows you to just drop weights in, whereas the Mares weights have a seperate pocket that slides into the BC sideways. Normally I just add the weights before I put the BC on, but if I am ever in a position where I have to add weight while in the water or while I have the BC on, it is a real pain. Other than that both BCs have good ditching systems. The Zeagle ripcord seems almost fool proof, and is easier to use but harder to "reset" once used (you have to re-thread the ripcord system after use). The Mares pockets pull out, and could possibly stick if you don't yank hard enough, but this is not a bad thing necessarily as they are almost impossible to fall out on their own.

The other thing I like about the Mares over the Zeagle Ranger/Brigade is that I do a considerable amount of ocean diving. I find the Mares (jacket style) to be much more stable on the surface, than the back inflate Zeagle. With back inflate it can be a struggle to stay upright at the surface, especially with waves, if you are not leaning back or if you have the BC over-inflated. With jacket styles, it is effortless at the surface. If you are diving fresh water, I wouldn't worry about this, as it is easy to get used to the back inflate, which can pitch you forward if you are over inflated. Both BC brands are great.