Zeagle-Brainwashed... pls help a newbie :P

[UW_Panda]

Hi all, first post fr me!

Have been benefitting from all the wisdom by browsing thru' the forum and learnt heaps...and i've to say it is quite entertaining 'most' of the time

Nonetheless, one of the things i 'picked' up was about the all wonderful Zeagle BCD. I'm in the process of "accumulating" my own diving gear, and is at the stage of thinking of getting a new BCD; but....

Questions:
1. Is back-inflate an over-kill/ or too hard to handle for a beginner diver? as I've only managed 20 something dives (still counting as i go)

2. If no, i've read the thread about Brigade vs Stiletto... more inclined towards Brigade, but for travelling purpose, should I just go with the Escape if I don't really need the D-rings?
p/s: if the 'masters' fr ST can comment on the weight diff would be great...

any help would be appreciated

[cgvmer]

As a relative newbie, I feel comfortable answering this one:

NO. I spent 2 years doing about 30 dives, renting gear. One day on a boat the DM was wearing a BP/W with hog harness. We chatted and since I was diving with him the next day, he told me a place I could rent a DiveRite transpac (not a bp/w but close). I dove it for 2 days and will not go back. I have since rented a bp/w, decided it was for me and have since bought a golem gear bp/w

The reason I did it was simple, I am 6'5" 300+ lbs finding a comfortable jacket BC was near impossible.

I don't know how much access you have to rent "technical" type equipment but try it.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by cgvmer

As a relative newbie, I feel comfortable answering this one:

NO. I spent 2 years doing about 30 dives, renting gear. One day on a boat the DM was wearing a BP/W with hog harness. We chatted and since I was diving with him the next day, he told me a place I could rent a DiveRite transpac (not a bp/w but close). I dove it for 2 days and will not go back. I have since rented a bp/w, decided it was for me and have since bought a golem gear bp/w

The reason I did it was simple, I am 6'5" 300+ lbs finding a comfortable jacket BC was near impossible.

I don't know how much access you have to rent "technical" type equipment but try it.

A BP/W is know longer considered a technical piece of gear per say....its been mainstreamed into recreational diving over the past recent years.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by UW_Panda

Hi all, first post fr me!

Have been benefitting from all the wisdom by browsing thru' the forum and learnt heaps...and i've to say it is quite entertaining 'most' of the time

Nonetheless, one of the things i 'picked' up was about the all wonderful Zeagle BCD. I'm in the process of "accumulating" my own diving gear, and is at the stage of thinking of getting a new BCD; but....

Questions:
1. Is back-inflate an over-kill/ or too hard to handle for a beginner diver? as I've only managed 20 something dives (still counting as i go)

2. If no, i've read the thread about Brigade vs Stiletto... more inclined towards Brigade, but for travelling purpose, should I just go with the Escape if I don't really need the D-rings?
p/s: if the 'masters' fr ST can comment on the weight diff would be great...

any help would be appreciated

Going to a BC with a back inflate wing or a BP/W set up is just a very short learning curve.

I highly recommend Zeagle products for their design and high standards of manufacture and the depth of the product line.

I persl. think d-ring are a must. The models you have mentioned are all good and are designed to service specific diver needs.

I dive a Zeagle Tech for all my sport and technical diving as it is a wonderful platform for both.

Check with your LDS and see about trying out the various models in a pool or local pond for a test dive.

Good luck!

[UW_Panda]

Thanks guys!
Felt much reassured.
Sadly where I'm there's no Zeagle dealer nearby....but have seen one or two in action...:P and an almost 100% +ve feedback fr this and other forum.

[maverick]

I just purchesed a Zeagle Brigade and I just have one dive with it. And it was all that it supposed 2 B. Excellent BC

[fisheater]

I did my pool training with the class-supplied jacket style BCD.

My ocean OW dives were all with the Zeagle. Even with 65 lb. bladder fully inflated, I had no "face plant" issues.

Now. I had LOTS of newbie issues, but my BC wasn't one of them, either at depth or on the surface.

[Aussie]

I noticed that a few people are diving with Zeagle Tech and/or the Zeagle 65lbs wings. Are you diving with large steel doubles with stages or something that requires the huge lift that it offers? I think the 65lbs wings are a huge overkill for single tanks.

I recommend the Zeagle brand as you can start off with a nice BCD and if you want to go to diving a BPW (which I now dive) you can cannibalise the wings off the Zeagle BCD's and use on the Backplate down the track.

There isnt much difference between the Zeagle Stiletto, Brigade, and Ranger. Stiletto and the Brigade have the same 35lbs wing with the Ranger having a 44lbs wing. The Body of the Brigade and the ranger are the same with the Stiletto having a less heavy duty body and little bit smaller pockets.

Aussie

[UW_Panda]

Originally Posted by maverick

I just purchesed a Zeagle Brigade and I just have one dive with it. And it was all that it supposed 2 B. Excellent BC

I know it has been asked many times, but just for old time sake, is it bulky/ heavy when the Brigade is packed?

Has anyone came across the new 2008 Escape yet?
Interesting to note that the new Zeagle Escape is not using the Ripcord weight system, wonder why? Larry/ Joe or Scott, any commend or words of wisdom?

I have no intention at any time soon to move on to double tank dive, so 65lbs lift is way above my need

Aussie,
Where do you get your Zeagle gear serviced? just curious as i only came across 'dive tube' in WA as the distributor.

[ScubaToys Larry]

Although I feel.. as do thousands of other divers, that the rip cord system is the best weight system out there, Scott realized that some folks just don't understand it enough to like it.

I've heard everything from shops that don't carry zeagle including "It takes over half an hour every time you put your weights in or out..." "If you have to ditch your weights, you have to send the BC back to Zeagle to get repaired..." and other equally foolish comments.

So they figured, what da' heck... They'll take one of the less expensive BC's in the line, and add a conventional weight system for those who want it, or are scared of the rip cord system.

Now as far as service on a BC... let's be honest... what is there to do? You make sure it's well rinsed, inflate it and make sure it holds air, and do a bit of checking of the inflater mechanism to make sure it's all working. It's not like there are complex things going on here... really anyone including the consumer can take a look at a BC. It's a lot like your tires on your car.. you can check them, or even if you have a ford, I'm sure a Chevy mechanic could figure out how to check the tire pressure...