Got my Brigade! Thanks Scubatoys!

[SBP Studios]

Got my Brigade from Scubatoys in record time, 2 days, love it. The shoulders were a bit big and I called them and they overnighted me a bigger shoulder since they know im leaving for my dive trip in the morning.

Awesome customer service! These guys rock!

A couple of questions/comments about the Brigade.

One thing I have noticed about the Brigade is the bladded seems to be a single-ply type bladded and much thinner than the Ranger that my wife has. Does anyone have any concerns with its puncture-proofness? Also mine does not say Zeagle on the bladder, its just black. Is that normal?

Also the rollup storage pouch on the Brigade is in a place that its non hidable, it rolls up on the right side instead of being hidden by the cummerbund, any idea why they changed that? I kinda liked that on my wifes Ranger.

Lastly, my wifes Ranger has little yellow weight pouches to hold the weights before putting them in the weight pouches, front and back. The Brigade does'nt have them, are they needed?

Thanks in advance for any feedback on this! We leave at 8am for Hawaii where we will put these suckers to the test. Cant wait!

 

[kidspot]

I look forward to seeing your new BC on Monday -

Aloha, Tim

 

[SBP Studios]

I look forward to seeing your new BC on Monday -

Aloha, Tim

PMing you.

 

[Danman589019]

I just ordered a brigade too. I haven't recieved mine yet. The yellow weight pouches are extra. I'm thinking I should have ordered them aswell.
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=zeagleweightpocket18
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=zeagleweightpouches

 

[SBP Studios]

I just ordered a brigade too. I haven't recieved mine yet. The yellow weight pouches are extra. I'm thinking I should have ordered them aswell.
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=zeagleweightpocket18
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=zeagleweightpouches

I dont think they are needed though. You can just pop your weights into the pocket by themselves. Would be cool to have though

 

[Danman589019]

I dont think they are needed though. You can just pop your weights into the pocket by themselves. Would be cool to have though

I'm wondering how well the ripcord system holds small 1 pound soft weights without the pouches? Will they slip through? Mine isn't here to find out yet.

 

[Scubasw]

The Zeagle Escape wing which is what the Brigade has is not labeled. I have over 100 pool sessions and 150 dives on mine. The only problem I've had is the wing is now brown from the pool chlorine. Other than that I'm confident of the wing construction. If your going to use soft weights smaller than 3lbs each, then I would get the "yellow thingies" for holding the small weights. The small ones can go between the ripcord ties.

 

[Divingguy]

I have the Brigade, and would HIGHLY recommend the yellow thingies. I am apparently the only person Larry ever heard of whose 4 pound hard weights forced themselves right through the ripcord system when I did a giant stride off of a catamaran dive boat. I had to re-rig my system, and put the weights in my other pockets. No problems since having the yellow thingies.

 

[Danman589019]

Great that means a third order from scubatoys in less than a month lol :shakehead

 

[SBP Studios]

Just got back from our first dive BC was great. In case your thinking about buying one they should not be bought without the yellow inserts for the front weight pouch. all the 1 and 2lb weights will fall right through. 4 and 5 fit fine. I think they should come with the BC personally.

BC is very well made and worked quite well. Took awhle to trim out but forum member Kidspot was most awesome in helping us out today and showing us around his favorite divespots here in MAui. Awesome guy, make sure you look him up if your ever in Maui.

Hope the review helps a bit. More diving tomorrow!