Scuba gear for travelling

[vsugihjoso]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of buying BC and regs package for diving in the tropics. Since most destination require traveling, weight and size obviously matter. I saw that scubatoys have light weight travel package. It includes Zeagle Scout BCD, Zeagle Rezort reg, Mares Brigade Viper Octo (optional Zeagle Octo Z), and Tusa SCA-230 platina gauge console (optional Tusa 343 Nitrox computer).

Does anyone have any experience with these gears? I was wondering if it makes more sense to get the SPG and Mares M2, which is on sale, rather than getting the Tusa 343? I've read in some threads that it's always a good idea to have SPG as backup. How about Aeris Atmos AI or Sherwood Wisdom computer?

Thanks for your help

[couped243]

I'm not too familiar this specific gear but I would definitely get the SPG and Depth gauge even if you get a computer. It's always a good Idea to have a back up. I'm sure there's others that are familiar with the gear in question so you should get some good feed back, and you can always call ST... BTW a lot of folks would probably recommend a BP/W set up for traveling. IMHO if you are just starting out you should get a BC and you can always upgrade later. Just my 2¢ Have fun

[NitroWill]

I dive w/ the Scout and it is a great little BC - especially for travel! Zeagle makes good regs - cant really go wrong with them - but also check out the Tusa RS-130! I dive with a backup SPG for redundancy w/ my AI computer

[couped243]

Yup I had a Tusa reg set up. It wasn't the 130, I think it was the 110 but for an entry level reg it did the job. Never had a problem with it, used it for nitrox dives as well. My son used it for his OW and didn't have one problem with it and I let him keep it as his first set up. I hear a lot about this scout..Does it fold up like the Mares Icon??

[Aussie]

Another option to look at is a Aluminium backplate with a small wing. I have a Zeagle Backplate, Zeagle 34lbs All Elastic wing and Zeagle Deluxe harness and the Zeagle zip weight pockets.

It very small and weights very little. I use it for travel in tropical locations and summer at home. It handles large primary cylinders and stage cylinders and is capable of doubles (with the right wing).

It might not suit you but its something to think about.

Zeagle deluxe envoy (DVS if you want enviromental seal) are great regs worth a look at.

Aussie

[Puffer Fish]

I travel with a full sized wing (actually the range LTD bag on a SS back plate, with the delux harness... it packs very small. And Vests use standard parts... so most issues can be repaired easily (except a hole in the bag, and that would require a new bag.. which is possible with a BP/W.

I don't recommend Zeagle regs for lots of travel, as they are not sold in a lot of areas. Buy a reg from a mfg that is available in the area you are diving (could be a different shop, just make sure there is someone). I have a Zeagle flathead I dive with a lot, but don't travel with it, unless I know the location could fix it if needed.

Using AI? Either have a complete backup or carry a spg and depth gauge..and tables... as you will need them. Oh and always have fresh batteries. I use a Citizen dive watch with depth gauge (solar powered) and a small spg..and dive with them.. can switch to tables at any time.

The aries and the sherwood are great computers...either is nice to dive with... I've used the aries more, so I would lean towards it, but I think the sherwood is easy to use.

[Zenagirl]

We travel to tropical places to dive too, and have Zeagle regs. We simply carry a rebuild kit that we got from ScubaToys, but always make sure we have our regs serviced regularly and test them in a pool prior to traveling. With the rebuild kit anyone who services regulators can service your Zeagles.

My original kit had a Vyper octo and I found it to be a wet breather. It simply wasn't a very good regulator IMO, so I quickly switched out to another Envoy octo so my primary and octo now match.

I dive with the Aeris AI and absolutely love it. It's been extremely easy to use and very reliable for me with well over 100 dives on it. If you get an AI computer, make sure you get a quick disconnect so you don't have to leave your computer attached to your regs. Not only is it easier to download, but it'll keep your computer from getting banged around.

Keep in mind that ST will customize a package for you so you aren't locked into what they have shown.

[vsugihjoso]

I'm aware that ST will customize the package. That's why I'm trying to get recommendation to see if I need to tune my setup.

Another piece of information I forgot to mention is that I don't do a lot of diving. I would be lucky if I could get 30 dives a year.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

We travel to tropical places to dive too, and have Zeagle regs. We simply carry a rebuild kit that we got from ScubaToys, but always make sure we have our regs serviced regularly and test them in a pool prior to traveling. With the rebuild kit anyone who services regulators can service your Zeagles.

My original kit had a Vyper octo and I found it to be a wet breather. It simply wasn't a very good regulator IMO, so I quickly switched out to another Envoy octo so my primary and octo now match.

I dive with the Aeris AI and absolutely love it. It's been extremely easy to use and very reliable for me with well over 100 dives on it. If you get an AI computer, make sure you get a quick disconnect so you don't have to leave your computer attached to your regs. Not only is it easier to download, but it'll keep your computer from getting banged around.

Keep in mind that ST will customize a package for you so you aren't locked into what they have shown.

Zena, I carried my Zeagles with me for a while, and then in the Philippines, I had someone drop a tank on my second stage.. Unknown to me, it cracked the retaining ring, so on the next dive.. the thing just floated apart underwater. No place there to get it repaired and I did not bring an extra retaining ring... ended up buying an octo, and using my Envoy as the primary. Was not fun... I got the Zeagle repaired (thank you Scott), but I now travel with a SCUBAPRO, and dive here with the Zeagle.

[vsugihjoso]

Folks,

Thanks for all your feedback. I'm getting close to calling Larry to order my package