Any dive shops out there still have or able to piece together Zeagle Express techs?

[diverjen]

Pretty much what the title says. 24 or 30 lb bladder would be ideal. Missed out on an ebay deal I saw....

 

[Colliam7]

Pretty much what the title says. 24 or 30 lb bladder would be ideal. Missed out on an ebay deal I saw....

Any Zeagle dealer should be able to order the parts necessary to create an ExpressTtech. Certainly, the core of the Express Tech system - the backplate - is readily available - I just ordered one recently. For more information on the components, you can go to the Zeagle website (Express Tech Backplate - Backplate BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems) to figure out what you might want / need, then go to your LDS Zeagle dealer.

Depending on how comfortable you are assembling a custom rig - or how competent the staff in your LDS might be - you can actually assemble / have assembled a rig, with a ET backplate, some webbing, buckle, D-rings, cam band, etc. You should still be able to order the Express Tech Deluxe, although you are paying for the unnecessary padding.

 

[diversteve]

See if Capt. Gene is still selling this one: Zeagle Express Tech Kit scuba diving gear at Zeagle Express - it's not currently listed under BCD's on their website. It seems like everybody switched over to selling the Deluxe some months back at $325+

Prime might still have some: https://www.primescuba.com/essentia...uba-bcd.html?gclid=CKa3vpO95LoCFaQ9QgodUEAAhw

Not sure which one this is either, the price would indicate it's a Deluxe but the picture looks like a std. model.
Zeagle Express Tech BCD discounts on sale Zeagle - if it is, I'd call them for a pricematch.

 

[diverjen]

Thank you guys for leads!

 

[Aqua-Andy]

What happened, did Zeagle discontinue the ET?

 

[Colliam7]

What happened, did Zeagle discontinue the ET?

Yes. The Express Tech Deluxe is still listed on their website, however.

 

[claymore]

I'm guessing that there were not enough profit and bells and whistles of the base unit for the accounting and marketing people. They may not have wanted it to poach from their other travel BC's sales. Maybe Huish taking over had something to do with it.

Could be a combination of all three.

 

[Colliam7]

I'm guessing that there were not enough profit and bells and whistles of the base unit for the accounting and marketing people. They may not have wanted it to poach from their other travel BC's sales. Maybe Huish taking over had something to do with it. Could be a combination of all three.

I have no 'inside information' on Zeagle, so I will speculate as well. I do suspect Huish had some role in the decision, although part of the reason that Zeagle sold out was they got themselves into a serious problem with the Pinnnacle disaster. So, maybe the decision simply reflects a continuation of management issues and generally bad business decision-making. (I hope not, because I really have been a long time Zeagle fan.)

Some things that 'intrigue' me about Zeagle:

1. At a time when a number of vendors have brought out turret reg sets for sidemount use, Zeagle has actually discontinued their 50D, a long time staple of their reg group. While Apeks has put together a 'sidemount reg set' (with a bit of help from Steve Martin), and HOG has brought out a turret reg set specifically focused on sidemount use, and Dive Rite has come out with a turret reg set for the same purpose, Zeagle has gotten out of the turret game. Makes NO sense to me at all. I have put together multiple SM reg sets for students / customers, using the 50D and the ZX second stage. Now, I am left to do it with used first stages. Maybe, Zeagle / Huish see the market going in a different direction (the exhibits at DEMA do NOT support that by the way). Maybe, Huish sees SM being the domain of other entities it owns. Who knows?

2. At a time when Zeagle has received a lot of rave reviews on the ET, and dive shops are seeing the real possibilities of setting customers up with a time streamlined, entry level or advanced level, BCD that had real versatility, Zeagle has (apparently) given up on it. I like the Stilleto, I like the Wicked, I like Zeagle BCDs in general. But, the ET was a hit, it had customization potential. And, away it goes. I have no use for the extra (aka completely unnecessary) padding on the ET deluxe. Why pay for something that you then have to strip?

Anyway, not a bash at Zeagle, for whom I still have respect. But, they seem to be moving in a direction that takes them away from market success.

 

[ams511]

This was discussed months ago in the Zeagle Forum. The basic Express Tech (Street $260) was discontinued, the Deluxe version ($325) is still being sold. The difference is the harness, the padding and pockets are additional. I know people will dis the harness but it may not be a bad move because it is a PITA to separate the wing from the wing from the harness. Besides needing to undo the cam straps you also need to unthread the harness because the straps thread through the wing. The deluxe harness should work better because of the quick releases. You also should buy two bladder attachment straps so you don't need to remove the cam straps from the plate.

Oh the video showing how to assemble it is out of date as the design was modified since the video was made.