Brigade Mods

[cbope]

Originally Posted by MDDIVER

Can the Brigade be set up 4 two tanks if so what do you need? Would you need a bigger bladder.

Short answer: Yes, it can handle 2 tanks. Long answer: Not in the factory configuration. You will need a bigger bladder, at least the Ranger bladder which has 44lbs lift (the Brigade bladder is 35lbs lift). In addition, you will also need either: a) doubles brackets (plus tanks bands and mounting hardware) for the harness, or b) a backplate plus tank bands and hardware.

I've heard some people are fine with the Zeagle doubles brackets and others say the backplate is required for more rig stability. I've not dived doubles so I can't comment on the suitability of either, but to me it seems I would go the backplate route.

If you are looking to dive doubles and don't already have a Brigade, I would suggest starting with the Ranger since it already has the bigger bladder and that's the single most expensive piece to upgrade if starting with a Brigade.

[5513]

Only complaint on mine is the pocket are too far back to be comfortable. Will work on changing the pulls.

[MDDIVER]

Whats the Largest tank that you use with your Brigade? I have an AL80 but I find that my much more experienced dive buddies can stay down a lot longer. No I am not at there level 40+ a year but I feel bad cutting there dive a about 30mins. Whats the max size I could use without causing too much issues?

[BSea]

Originally Posted by MDDIVER

Whats the Largest tank that you use with your Brigade? I have an AL80 but I find that my much more experienced dive buddies can stay down a lot longer. No I am not at there level 40+ a year but I feel bad cutting there dive a about 30mins. Whats the max size I could use without causing too much issues?

A brigade should handle just about any single out there. When I had a brigade, I used a 120 from time to time.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by BSea

A brigade should handle just about any single out there. When I had a brigade, I used a 120 from time to time.

Agreed, Brigade should handle any normal single tank.

I wouldn't want to use one for doubles. First, you'd have to essentially turn it into a Ranger first (remember that the Brigade is a hybrid, taking parts of the Ranger and the Scout, if memory serves) to have enough lift, and then you'd still have a sub-optimal platform to carry doubles.

If you want to dive doubles, do it properly and go with a bp/w. If you're determined to stay modular and really enjoy spending hours converting your gear to save a few bucks, you could always use the Brigade's harness on a Zeagle backplate and an appropriate wing.

[fisheater]

I dive almost exclusively with 120s on my Brigade. No problem at all.

[5513]

120's will work fine.

[MDDIVER]

I think I might make that my next buy.However my last dive left me with over 500psi over my buddy.