Advice on Zeagle ET harness and weight systems

[Capt.Gene]

I do not think you can make a bouyancy estimate base on the difference in travel weight between an ExpTech and another brand BC, if I understand your question correctly.
You could preload your Exp Tech with a 1 pound lead bullet weight on each side of the waist strap and just travel with it.
If you had an OOA emergency at the surface that you could not deal with, 2 pounds likley will not make any difference anyway.
You could just ditch your somewhat negative camera.
We have all known photographers that would rather drown than loose their system.

 

[simonknee]

I do not think you can make a bouyancy estimate base on the difference in travel weight between an ExpTech and another brand BC, if I understand your question correctly.

True, because you don't know the relative buoyancy for either until you chuck them in the drink. Plus I don't even know where my center of weight and center of buoyancy is with the BCDs I have used let alone the ET. However I was basing the lower weight guess on the experience of others in this thread that have dived an ET.

However I am looking for a guesstimate of what might happen to help me decide which, if any, weight system I should purchase. The great thing about the Zeagle ET is the modularity but having a choice means you have to choose(!). Ideally I would try one of every option. This is not practical financially as I can't return what I decide against. Hence my quest on scubaboard to find what might be the most appropriate combination to take with me the first time I dive a Zeagle ET.

The places I dive just have 1kg and 2kg belt weights and it defeats the travel (i.e. fly) light ethos to take your own lead.

Fortunately my camera/strobe rig is almost buoyant. It probably sinks at about 1m (3ft) in 10 secs. I attach it to my BCD so in the event of OOA at the surface it comes off with my BCD (and any weight on the tank). However you have made me think about this - the camera and my life are insured but I only get money on the former, the wife gets the later.

 

[The Chairman]

FWIW, I love the integrated weight solutions for the ET. I dive one that has it as my primary teaching BC and my student BCs have the ones for the bottom of the tank and they do just awesome. With a bit of practice, it's very easy to take off and re-don your weight integrated BC mid-water without ever changing depth.

 

[simonknee]

I am probably fussing too much and should embrace the modularity benefits instead. Depending on what and where I dive my weight needs might change anyway. Since I don't like weight belts much I should buy an integrated system plus an xs scuba pocket, or two, for the tank. Then I will add and remove them as I need. If I ever get the desire to drysuit in the UK then the integrated weight pockets will be required for sure.

Netdoc. Do you have the zipcord or ziptouch? How would it fair with a 1kg (2lb) belt weight in it? Do you think it would move about a bit?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

FWIW, I love the integrated weight solutions for the ET. I dive one that has it as my primary teaching BC and my student BCs have the ones for the bottom of the tank and they do just awesome. With a bit of practice, it's very easy to take off and re-don your weight integrated BC mid-water without ever changing depth.

I think you might find don & doff a little more exciting with a 7MM FJ+Jacket in deep cold water. Diving in the bathtub water in FL spoils you rotten.

 

[The Chairman]

I think you might find don & doff a little more exciting with a 7MM FJ+Jacket in deep cold water. Diving in the bathtub water in FL spoils you rotten.

I've done it with a dry suit and plenty of undies. Once you have the technique down, the weight differential means almost nothing.

 

[The Chairman]

Netdoc. Do you have the zipcord or ziptouch? How would it fair with a 1kg (2lb) belt weight in it? Do you think it would move about a bit?

I could not differentiate between the two. The system I have has a plastic pull that releases both side simultaneously. I have also dove the system with DUI's weight harness and even a weight belt. All these solutions worked well for me though I simply hate weight belts.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I've done it with a dry suit and plenty of undies. Once you have the technique down, the weight differential means almost nothing.

I know the techniques. Doff & don underwater is most likely done when you are entangled or otherwise screwed up, not kneeling in the sand on the bottom. So the techniques used, which are seldom practiced by most, can get messed up fast.

For me the question is why would you choose to be unbalanced by 20-25lbs when its so easy to carry the weight on your body and avoid the issue?

 

[The Chairman]

For me the question is why would you choose to be unbalanced by 20-25lbs when its so easy to carry the weight on your body and avoid the issue?

The imbalance comes from the ying of the bladder pulling one way and the yang of the weight belt going the other. I don't like it. Doffing and donning are easily managed mid water in the very unlikely event that I have to deal with that. Plus, I don't have hips to hold a belt in place effectively. IOW, I prefer the integrated approach. You're free to prefer another approach.

FWIW, this really only becomes an issue for me when I am diving Aluminum. I don't need any weights when I dive steel tanks.

 

[Capt.Gene]

If you are a narrow body light weight diver and don't use much lead the Ziptouch will dive just fine.
I do know guys who use the latger longer Ripcord weight pocket as a place to keep their safety tube as well as a 3# lead weight. The zipper makes access easy.