Joe said to ask here...(BCD ?s)

[aLittletank]

I had a great conversation with Joe at Scubatoys today. By the end of the talk Joe said "ask everyone on scuba board for their experiences with these BCDs".

first my diving experience and goals. Recently completed PADI Advanced OW. The reality is that I live in the pacific northwest so I mostly dive lakes and occasionally the Puget Sound.
Goals: dive regularly with depths up to 130ft. I am not interested in Tech diving *gasp*
someday work towards master diver


the 3 BCDs I am considering are...

Zeagle Brigade, http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=ZeagleBrigade

Mares LE, http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=MaresLEMorphosMetalTech

Sherwood Tortuga http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_1902/Context_948/Sort_Brand/DescSort_0/PCKS6.html?Hit=1



If you have experience with these three I would appreciate your feed back on their comfort and performance.

thanks
Allen

 

[Divingguy]

I have the Brigade. I LOVE it! Great fit, great features, very durable. Plus, Scubatoys are great guys. You need to run a search on the Brigade, and you will find a lot of info. Good Luck,

 

[350xfire]

I live in Dallas and shop at Scuba Toys. They have a great shop here. I would not hesitate purchasing ANY Zeagle product. Now if you are looking for doubles capability, get the Ranger. If not the Brigade it's great. My dive buddy has one and loves it.

 

[mase]

I dive with a Seaquest Balance and love it. I tried on a Sherwood Tortuga and it just didn't feel right. I'm 6'2" and 202lbs and the tortuga was all wrong for me.

 

[CompuDude]

Based on sheer volume of good reports, as opposed to any personal experience, I'd vote for the Zeagle. I would consider repair, however... do you have any local Zeagle shops you can turn to for repair, or do you have to ship it back? ScubaToys is an outstanding shop, but if you need something taken care of by the time you get off work tomorrow, they may not be able to help you in time due to the sheer distance.

Just something to consider. (Buy from ScubaToys, by all means, but consider your service options. And Zeagle may or may not be harder to service locally than the other brands, depending on your local shops.)

 

[scubabirdie]

I purchased the Tortuga this spring. It is a great BC.

Pros (for me):
• Packs nicely for travel
• Little inherent buoyancy
• Weight pockets were very easy to load/unload while wearing
• BC is very ergonomically laid out
• 3 exhaust dumps (left shoulder, right shoulder, and right rear)
• very comfortable
Cons:
• The only problem I had with the BC, was that I ordered it without trying it on. Being a vertically challenge woman, and very short-waisted, the BC was simply too long in the torso.

Lesson learned...always try on before buying. I have no experience with the Zeagle, but with everything I have read on this board it is an outstanding choice. I really like that each component can be fit individually.

If you decide on the Tortuga, PM me (I have a med. size and will sell it to you at a significant discount).

 

[sasscuba]

Have the Brigade and love it! Cannot go wrong with Zeagle!

Welcome to the board. Lots of good people and information here. Enjoy.

 

[aLittletank]

I purchased the Tortuga this spring. It is a great BC.

If you decide on the Tortuga, PM me (I have a med. size and will sell it to you at a significant discount).

thank you for the offer its too bad that I am more of a large-xl


everyone - thanks for all the feed back!


Allen

 

[ScottZeagle]

I would not hesitate purchasing ANY Zeagle product. Now if you are looking for doubles capability, get the Ranger. If not the Brigade it's great.

Just so it is clear, the Brigade is capable of holding twin cylinders, you would just need to upgrade the bladder to do so.

Joe is right, you will get a lot of good opinions here!!!

Good luck with your search.

Dive safe,

Scott

 

[m3830431]

If I only ad the three to pick from I would go with the Brigade.