Brigade & or Scout

[Coastie6]

Just joined the forum. Been diving for 30-years and am up for an equipment update. I'll be posting to other areas for feedback on other gear, but this post is about replacing my old Seaquest ADVi BCD. I tried a buddy's Ranger years ago and really liked it, great quality and made in America. I'm in a bit of a quandary. Now that I'm living in SW Missouri, I don't do close to the diving I have done in the past. The vast majority will now be travel to tropical climates, so I really want something compact and easy to pack. I love the idea of the Brigade, but wondering just how easy it is to travel with. I like the price on the Scout, and it seems very small and light but still with Zeagle quality. I am a bit concerned about the low buoyancy specifications on the Scout, but that's the tradeoff for compactness. I'm 6' and about 215lbs and use single aluminum 80s and concerned specifications might be marginal. So I'm looking for input. I'm considering getting either one or the other, OR getting the Scout first to cover my traveling needs and then picking up a Brigade later for my other diving needs. I'm at a disadvantage because I can't get my hands on either BCD, so looking for opinions from those of you that have experience with these.

[crgjpg]

I have a Brigade. It is a little bulky to pack but not bad. If I fold it in half vertically, it take up about a third of a large suitcase. It is about 1'x1 1/2'x10".

[nrembis]

If all your going to be doing from now on is warm tropical vacation dives, the Scout should work fine, keep your old BC for what local diving you might do. Not sure how quickly you need a new BC but ScubaBidz - Online Scuba Gear Auctions will be giving away a Scout at a later date.

[Seniordiver]

I went through the same decision process two years ago and the same two factors were important to me. The weight and size of the Scout were enticing for travel to warm water, but I was a little concerned about the 24 lbs of lift. Short answer is that I went with the Scout and couldn 't be happier. I'm 215-220 lbs and use 14 lbs of wt (6 in the BC and 8 on a belt). Great set-up and travels really well. I like the flexible set up with the cummerbund and other straps and the pockets/D rings are perfect. Perfect BC for me. If I was diving in cold water, or lived in warm areas with little travel, I might go with the Brigade (my close friend loves hers), but for me the Scout is ideal.

[boat]

I dive cold water with a Scout, but I had ST swap out the 24# for a 35# bladder. I didn't want integrated weights.

Have you considered an Escape? To me it seems similar to the Scout but with the integrated weights and the larger bladder.

[Vlane]

If all your doing is rec diving in the tropics i think i'd go with the Scout. I was also thinking about a Brigade when i was getting a BC but decided on the Stiletto because the vest part was a tad smaller. The Scout is going to be a little smaller so it'd probably be easier to pack also.

[ScubaJ]

As has already been mentioned, if your Only going to be diving warm water, then the Scout would be great.

If you may dive a variety of conditions, then the Brigade is a great fit.
I'm 6'3" 225 and I dive everything from cold lake (w/ dry suit), to warm oceans and my Brigade has worked perfectly. I'm able to pack my Brigade, my wife's Zena, and all our various gear in one large rolling suitcase and it comes out to be 47lbs, so it travels easily.

No matter which you decide to go with, they are very modular, so you could always purchase a larger wing for the Scout if you decided to use it in colder water.

[Coastie6]

Thank you all, you've confirmed my decision. I believe I will now eventually get both vests. I did not want to invest in the Scout if folks had experiences that were less than favorable regarding it's buoyancy capabilities. I will be purchasing the Scout as an initial replacement and get a Brigade a little further down the road as I do like some of it's HD features.

Thanks Again!

[Defman]

I have a Ranger that I put a 24# bladder on, lots more travel friendly.

As an aside, the Zeagle Zeus should be awesome for travel and might be worth a look!!