Aeris Atmos XT vs. Aqua Lung Malibu RDS vs. Zeagle Brigade BCD

[JJP161]

I'm looking for a new BC. I have to replace my Seaquest Balance and have narrowed it down to the following three and would really appreciate any guidance, comments or suggestions. I am a recreational diver and will be diving Ohio Quarries, NC wrecks and travelling to numerous tropical destinations. Thank-you.

1. Zeagle Brigade BCD
2. Aeris Atmos XT
3. Aqua Lung Malibu RDS

 

[jrs_diesel]

I'm looking for a new BC. I have to replace my Seaquest Balance and have narrowed it down to the following three and would really appreciate any guidance, comments or suggestions. I am a recreational diver and will be diving Ohio Quarries, NC wrecks and travelling to numerous tropical destinations. Thank-you.

1. Zeagle Brigade BCD
2. Aeris Atmos XT
3. Aqua Lung Malibu RDS

I would reccomend the Atmos XT. Lots a great features on it and its very comfortable. Check out the this thread on the Atmos XT, click here.

I bought one and am very impressed with it compared to *cough* rental gear *cough* . Its very comfy going back and forth to the water (shore diving), integrated wieghts are nice. Plenty of D rings and clips to attach stuff. I enjoy mine.

edit: I noticed some of you that have one don't like the position of the strap that holds the hose to the harness. I have a newer one (small) and when I am wearing it the hose strap is on top of my shoulder. Venting it through the hose is not a problem so I don't have to use the purge valves that much.

 

[Detonate]

I will probably dive Zeagle BC for the rest of my diving career. I can't say enough great things about their BCs. And also the people making them.

I ordered a custom BC from Zeagle, and they made it from scratch for me in under 2 weeks. Simply amazing!

They are comfortable, customizable, best weight release system I've seen, and rock solid with a warrenty that ensures you won't need to replace your BC down the road.

 

[ianr33]

I would definately go with the Malibu. To be precise you should buy my Malibu (Its a perfectly good BC,but since I bought my BP/Wings I have no use for it)

 

[ScubaSarus]

I have a Malibu and like it. But the quality is lacking and the pocket is too small. I had to flame the stiching areas to stop the fraying of the material. The threads of the velcro came undone so I had to do some sewing there also. I'de spen a bit more to get better quality if you do a lot of diving. Ide get anothe balance or zeagle escape

 

[ScottZeagle]

I'm looking for a new BC. I have to replace my Seaquest Balance and have narrowed it down to the following three and would really appreciate any guidance, comments or suggestions. I am a recreational diver and will be diving Ohio Quarries, NC wrecks and travelling to numerous tropical destinations. Thank-you.

1. Zeagle Brigade BCD
2. Aeris Atmos XT
3. Aqua Lung Malibu RDS

Have you tried any of them (or all of them) on??

If you are a "regular" size, and get a decent fit with any of them, then it comes down to which one feels the best and has the features you like...

If you are not exactly a "standard size", the personal fit system in the Brigade (or Ranger) can be custom fitted for your specific body style.

Good luck, whichever you choose!!

Scott

 

[jpomerantz]

I have the Atmos XT and love it. Easy to get to the integrated wt pockets, good D ring placements.

 

[Splitlip]

I just recently replaced my Malibu with a Zeagle Stiletto. With my 3mil 2 pc suit I was able to shed 4 #s of weight when I went to the Zeagle because of it's lack of inherent buoyancy. The wings on the Zeagle tuck in tight even when inflated. (no taco wing like I had on Malibu) The Zeagle has superior fit because it is "infinitely" adjustable. The Zeagle pockets are much more useful than the Malibu's change pocket. I can carry light, safety sausage, shears, 100 ft spool and whistle in the Stiletto. With the Malibu, I could carry a whistle.
The Zeagle has large trim weight pockets from which you can ditch weight while wearing the BC.
The Zeagle has a soft packpack whch allows you compactly fold up the BC.
Loading and unloading the main weights in the Zeagle is easy. Unzip the integral weight pocket and insert weights. To remove weight reverse the procedure. To do this with the Malibu and most other WI BC's you have to remove the weight pockets from the cumberbun, essentially "ditching" your weights. (Try doing a weight check with a buddy while on your hang).
The Zeagle has two tank bands. I prefer my trim weights higher on my back so I added two small trim pockets to the band. Instead of removing the Zeagle weight pockets on the lower band, I now use one to carry a large DSMB. Remember these trim pockets are designed to allow weight to be ditched, so I can easily reach back pull open the velcro closure and access my DSMB.
Zeagle has a great reputation for customer service and for me anyway they are "local". Made in Florida.
Don't get me wrong, the Malibu is a great BC, very comfortable and gave me great service for 4 years. The Zeagle is just better in my opinion.

 

[Buoyant1]

I have an XT and love it! comfy, easy to load and unload the weights, nice pocket on the side, "key" pocket in the front, the back pad is comfy..Nice "attitude" in the water, and keeps you where you want to be on the surface!

There's a shoulder dump on the right shoulder, you can pull the inflator and use that as a dump, as well as a back dump.

 

[JJP161]

Have you tried any of them (or all of them) on??

If you are a "regular" size, and get a decent fit with any of them, then it comes down to which one feels the best and has the features you like...

If you are not exactly a "standard size", the personal fit system in the Brigade (or Ranger) can be custom fitted for your specific body style.

Good luck, whichever you choose!!

Scott

Mr. Zeagle,

Thank-you very much for your insights. To answer your question the only one I have actually had on is the Malibu which fit decently but being a weightlifter I can be hard to fit from time to time. But I have unfortunately heard a lot of negative comments about the durability of the Malibu and its inherent buoyancy. I would love to shed some weight as it is and definitely do not want to add any.

The Brigade sounds great and I'm very interested but the only way to see it and try it would be to order one as I am in Ohio. Of course I have no doubts that it is a very high quality BC. If I understand the description correctly there is a pull dump on the inflator and a rear lower dump valve? Thank-you again.

Joe