it's zeagle time!!!

[NAVYman]

whats up everyone.
i just got an oceanic probe bc for the holiday, its an all around cool bc, pockets, weight system, all that bs. i tried it on inflated it and the thing took my breath away it fit fine but when i inflated it i just didnt like the constricting. its time to scrap the jacket and move onto the back inflate im just kinda fed up with them. i have never dove a back inflate bc so im new in that area. doing research here and other places i only hear one name when it comes to bi and thats zeagle. i like the brigade (scubatoys), and the escape. i am not really into double tank diving right now or anything really technical, but prob will be in the future. i would like a bc that can kinda grow with my diving education. i will be diving in mainly warm waters, but cold is most likely a possibility as i am going to be traveling with the navy. what bc do you guys think will fit me? i didnt want to include the ranger because i do alot of traveling right now and the ranger is to big and the lift is way more than i need. any input would be sweet, thanks everyone.

 

[simbrooks]

Try a BP/W, its good for the newer diver and you can grow with it if you choose to go doubled later on. It will fit anyone as it is completely adjustable. They are available from a range of manufacturers include Zeagle (i bought the equivalent of the escape bladder for my singles rig and something like the manta for my doubles). A backplate is a backplate, stainless or aluminium are your main options, the webbing is fully adjustable, you can add pockets if you want, everything is kept off the front of you and streamlined - nice! It will set you back about the same as a mid-priced BC (be it back of jacket style).

 

[Quarrior]

I'm a huge Zeagle fan. I agree with Simbrooks, if you want something that will grow with you as you move on in your diving, BP/W is the only way to go. As for traveling, they don't get much more compact either. Zeagle makes a BP/W, also. http://www.zeagle.com/index.php?submenu=HeavyDutyBC&src=gendocs&link=HeavyDutyBCs Larry at www.scubatoys.com should be able to help you out.

Now for regs? Zeagle all the way. I dive the DSV/ZX.

 

[frenchy07]

I love my Brigade.......Can't comment on the whole BP/W thing since I have never even tried one on (can't wait to try one however so I can have some insight into what everyone raves about). What I can tell you is I enjoy being able to grow and shrink in my Zeagle. The cumberbun is adjustable and since I am in the middle of my adjustments I have plenty of room to expand or shrink before I need to make a size change. It packs into a 12"x12"x6" space so it is very easy to take it anywhere. It is light and doesn't restrict my movement like the jackets I have tried. Overall I found it to be a terrific choice, plus you get to deal with Larry and his staff, good people there in Texas.

 

[ScottZeagle]

If you want to leave your options for diving doubles open, you do not want the Escape, as it is not doubles compatible.
The Ranger (or Brigade) will accomodate doubles if you choose to add them down the road, but if you buy the Brigade you will need to change out the bladder.

Good luck with your decision, and let me know if I can answer any questions for you!!

Scott

 

[OE2X]

I must be the only one who hates my Zeagle. Any want to buy it?

 

[Quarrior]

I must be the only one who hates my Zeagle. Any want to buy it?

You must feel very lonely.

 

[NAVYman]

I love my Brigade.......Can't comment on the whole BP/W thing since I have never even tried one on (can't wait to try one however so I can have some insight into what everyone raves about).

yes i defintely agree with you here. i would love to try a bp/wing bc since everyone never stops talking about them. but the problem i have there is i do alot of diving in the south pacific guam, palau, yap, rota, islands like that and a bp/wing is virtually un-heard of. i have never in my life seen a bp/wing in the south pacific, even internationally. if you see a back inflate then your lucky, only when i am in the states i see the combo. so its extremely hard to find someone with that setup. so i cant try it out. i didnt even know what a bp/wing was until i came here. im aimed toward the brigade because like scott said i can trade out the bladder if i want to go to doubles. i think its an overall cool bc. and it will go easily as far as i am willing to go with my diving education. im going to my LDS today and im going to try on a ranger and see how it feels before i make any further decisions. thanks for the sweet input so far everyone!

 

[AmyJ]

I love Zeagle, and I HAVE tried a BP/W and didn't like it.... so just remember to go with what works for you and not EVERYONE in the whole world loves the BP/W.

 

[ScottZeagle]

i would love to try a bp/wing bc since everyone never stops talking about them.

Not everyone loves a BP/W. I would venture to guess that the majority of divers will never dive a BP/W setup. There are some very passionate BP/W users on this forum who infiltrate every BC post with their suggestion of a BP/W, but that does not mean that it is the right set up for you. Choose want YOU want to dive. Zeagle makes both, so I have no reason to point you one way or another - I am just offering you MY opinion.

Good luck with whatever style (and brand) you choose!!!

Scott