Zeagle's Express Tech: The first and last BC most will ever need (or want)

[Jim Lapenta]

I've had mine in the pool twice. I love it! First time was as it came. Nothing trimmed, added, etc. I added a dring on each shoulder and one on each hip. I also replaced the factory plastic buckle with a steel one from Randy at Pirahna. Trimmed the straps just a bit and wow. Oh and I did add a crotch strap. It does everything I want it to. I was going to replace the pull inflator but since I will be using it with recreational reg setups in the pool and when traveling I can live with the one it has. Still a bit too long for my liking but I'll get used to it. I do think that two of my OW students will be buying it as well. They will be primarily warm water divers and traveling to dive so it's perfect for that. I also use a weight belt as do they so non integration is not a factor. I like the idea of weight pockets on the cam straps and may do that. That would be if where I was going required the 5 mil and I did not want to take my BPW singles rig with the steel plate. I will not be diving this bc w/drysuit. But as travel/pool/warm water set up it is sweet. Will not likely be using it for OW checkouts as I'm usually in doubles for that but again I bought it for the reasons specified. We'll see how it does in Puerto Rico in January.

 

[parzdiver]

Diving with the Zeagle in the pool was fun last night. Had to move the d-rings around and they probably still need some tweaking. Took a bunch of adjusting. I cut about 18" off each strap. Was comfortable under the water, very similar to my bp/w. Putting the weight pockets on the cam straps worked great. I'm probably going to need 14-16 lbs in salt water, so.... some on cam straps, and then weight belt? Pockets of some sort? hrm.

Thanks to NetDoc for the great review on the Express Tech. I'm happy with it and can't wait to use it in open water (four weeks to go).

 

[ScottZeagle]

I just got back from Grand Cayman, where I used the Express Tech for 3 days of diving.

It performed great!

 

[The Chairman]

Mine is now set up for sidemount... I took it 800 ft back at Orange Grove Sink. I still have a few more tweaks to make.

The change back to single back mount takes almost five minutes. Good stuff!

 

[ScottZeagle]

I will show you mine the next time you come over here...

I made a few little tweaks to it and it is sweeeeeeeeet!!!

 

[jimbo4567198]

As mentioned previous thread I did buy a Zuma which promptly broke when I got home. After checking out a few other BC's, I decided on the Zeagle Express Tech with the integrated Zip touch option and (after reading a few posts here) the 2" crotch strap. It'll be $100 more than the Zuma (with the options I purchased), but much more versatile and durable. I can use it for most of the diving I do and perhaps (with a larger bladder) all of the diving I do. I have done some cold water diving on the west coast of BC (Port Hardy) in a dry suit which may not be appropriate for the Express Tech. I'd be curious to know if anyone has dived cold water with the express tech (10C or below).

 

[parzdiver]

As mentioned previous thread I did buy a Zuma which promptly broke when I got home. After checking out a few other BC's, I decided on the Zeagle Express Tech with the integrated Zip touch option and (after reading a few posts here) the 2" crotch strap. It'll be $100 more than the Zuma (with the options I purchased), but much more versatile and durable. I can use it for most of the diving I do and perhaps (with a larger bladder) all of the diving I do. I have done some cold water diving on the west coast of BC (Port Hardy) in a dry suit which may not be appropriate for the Express Tech. I'd be curious to know if anyone has dived cold water with the express tech (10C or below).

I purchase the Express Tech to be a travel rig. I also added a couple accessories, including cam band weight pockets. They let me move weight to my back, better emulating my regular SS back plate configuration. I don't see why the Express Tech wouldn't work in a cold water situation, except you may need a larger bladder to contend with the additional weight needed. If you have 20lbs of lead (in your pockets) and a steel HP-100, which is close to what I use in a dry suit, you have more weight on the rig than the bladder can float.

 

[The Chairman]

Go with the larger, optional bladder.

 

[The Chairman]

Sounds like an invitation to lunch. I guess I'll have Express Tech envy until then.

I will show you mine the next time you come over here...

I made a few little tweaks to it and it is sweeeeeeeeet!!!

 

[ScottZeagle]

Sounds like an invitation to lunch. I guess I'll have Express Tech envy until then.

You nor I have ever met a lunch that we didn't like....just let me know when you are available. I am here (pretty much) for the rest of the year.