First BCD

[boxcar]

I'm purchasing my first BC tomorrow (tax return is here!!).


Getting the Zeagle Brigade for myself & the Zeagle Zena for my wife. Both just finished OW classes & awaiting open water dives.

Anyone want to talk me out of these before I put in the order tomorrow??

Never dived a back-inflate, but the old "rent a lot of things before you buy" doesn't seem to work too well in the diving Mecca of Nebraska...

DocHueb

My wife just got a Zena...and she loves it (now if I could get her to take it off ) I've got a back inflate SeaQuest Balance and love the BI aspect of it...Based on the experinces of the guys I dive with and the Zeagle I tried on at our LDS, I'd think the Brigade will be a 'good get'.

Enjoy.

 

[Dochueb]

Well, no one talked me out of it, so I bought my 2 Zeagle BCs from Larry at Scubatoys today. (Also bought 2 regs, 2 octos, 2 computers, 2 light sets, 2 knives, 2 spare airs, a computer downloader, & some other crap...).

After picking Larry's brain for 2 months (not constantly -- just now & then), I think I ended up with some very solid stuff. I ordered these 2 sets (one is for my wife -- in case you thought I was just incredibly neurotic :eyemouth: & needed back ups of EVERYTHING) at about noon & it was all assembled, TESTED, and on the UPS truck by 6:00pm!!

I should be perfecting my buoyancy (in my bathtub (see Location)) by Thursday! :monkeydan

As always, Larry & the gang were incredibly helpful & knowledgeable!

Thanks Scubatoys!


DocHueb


P.S. Should I receive several boxes of crap I didn't order on Thursday, I'll be retracting this post as well as the chant...

 

[Diver Dude]

Dochueb... I would think twice before ordering a back inflator before trying it
Topside a back inflator will tend to keep your face in the water. If you are very comfortable in the water this shouldn't be a problem . But if you aren't and if you need to relax to catch your breath of just gather your wits as a lot of newbies do ...a back inflator can be unnerving.
Underwater , they can't be beat.

 

[jonnythan]

Dochueb... I would think twice before ordering a back inflator before trying it
Topside a back inflator will tend to keep your face in the water.

I hear this all the time, and I've never experienced it, with any of three back inflate BC's.

The only way I can imagine it happening is if you're wearing a weight bel that's WAY too heavy for you AND you inflate the thing completely on the surface.

It's *not* an issue. Don't let this non-issue influence your judgement.

 

[cfelliot]

I got the same 2 Zeagle BCs from Larry at Scubatoys too. Have only used them in pre trip pool refresher course so far. Both my wife and I are very happy with them.

 

[Scubagolf]

I'll be interested in hearing how you like it. 30 dives and I'm still renting....I just can't make up my mind and it seems the more I read, the more uncertain I become. It's really the jacket vs. BI that troubles me.

Oh, well. I'm off to the Kona Coast of the Big Island this Sunday for a week. Water temps should be pretty close to 80*.

 

[boxcar]

I hear this all the time, and I've never experienced it, with any of three back inflate BC's.

The only way I can imagine it happening is if you're wearing a weight bel that's WAY too heavy for you AND you inflate the thing completely on the surface.

It's *not* an issue. Don't let this non-issue influence your judgement.

I'm with you jonnythan...I've never experienced this either...I have had to use quite a bit of weight on occasion and it IS better to have it well distributed...but that is an issue not just for the surface floating...

Maybe for another thread... have folks had first hand experience with the face-down surface float? Not saying it doesn't ever/couldn't happen by any means, but is this gaining 'dive urban legend' status?

 

[crpntr133]

Congrats on the purchase!!

I can also say that the "face in the water" concept is BULL! I own a Brigade and tried to get it to put me face first in the water. Even without trim weights and a fully inflated bladder, I was straight up on the surface. I was a few pounds too heavy but nothing major.
The only way that MIGHT put you face first is if you had a 60lbs+ bladder. Since I have never used one I can't say but it might be. Just thinking that a bigger bladder would lift you more out of the water and in turn put you face first. Of course the cure for that is to not inflate it all the way on the surface.

I to was one of those that fought with the idea of getting a BI. Kept reading about the face plant and the huge sail that it created when fully deflated, etc. I took the risk and bought a BI and love it, I wouldn't trade it for 10 jackets.

 

[Dive4air]

The face in the water thing is crap, especially when you look at some of the new "hybrid" back inflates that are better surface balanced. Anyway, proper weighting and not overinflating are the key. That's not to say that some back-inflate on the market today will dunk your face in the water.

BTW, I am a jacket guy myself and I bought a Sherwood Avid. However, I did try the Aeris Atmos XT, Sherwood Tortuga, and a Zeagle. All are excellent BCs. It was just y preference to go with a jacket style for now.

 

[Morpheus]

Ill be up there in June For bike week if you want to Show me the best underwater dives in the lake Diver gurl!