My opinion of the Zeagle Brigade

[Hoosier]

Hey Hey Hey, You are so defensive here.



Actually, Adobo addressed a couple of good points.



The right shoulder dump is very useful whenever DMs or instcutors need to control the students' buoyancy, specially if there is no pull dump function on the inflator. But, it isn’t a student’s perspective….. LOL~~~~



Two rear dumps might be for either a right hand or left hand diver... Just my 2 psi...



As for the handle, I agree with Adobo, SP BCD is really convenient to carry. It isn't a big deal to put the handle on the BCD, is it?



Adobo, there is always trade off on any items. I have used two ScubaPro BCDs and dived with crpntr133 several times. The Brigade BC is a good, solid, and compact BCD. After having more dives, the right shoulder dump valve will be PITA and useless like others said because it used to be twisted inside of shoulder strap. I am sure you won’t use it after getting through OW class.

At either rate 4 dumps is too many... 3, still don't see the need. Two is plenty. IMHO, if you need 4 then you need to go back and retake OW classes.

I have been known to use the rear dump on my Brigade.

 

[Azza]

Just figured I'd share my take on bottom dumps. Personally, don't care, don't need them, don't use them. I don't really care if it even has one.

I'm with you. Never used mine that I can think of...

 

[DiveMaven]

my husband uses his bottom dump valve when he does a heads down descent (his preferred method). He has a SeaQuest ProQD+ and has never used another dump valve besides the right rear. I use my bottom dump valve when I rinse my wing to get the last drops of fresh water out (I have a Zeagle Zena).

 

[WileEDiver]

Two rear dumps can be nice on a night dive. If I'm holding a light in my right (dominant) hand, I don't have to move it to my left hand to get to the dump (I tend to do horizontal ascents, especially on shore dives). Is this the time to say "I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrou"? Maybe there's no right time to say that.

My BC doesn't have a right shoulder dump, but I can see it being useful allowing me to vent with my right hand on ascents where I want to watch my ascent rate on the computer I'm wearing on my left side (either wrist or console).

 

[D_O_H]

I'm also a frequent rear dumper (no pun intended - really). I find it easier to go slightly head down and release air than to go slightly head up and release it. This is especially true if I feel myself getting a little light - going slightly head up tends to accentuate the lightness whereas going slightly head down tends to offset it until the buoyancy change from releasing air takes effect.

I like the double bottom dumps since the U shape of my ranger wing sometimes causes air to get stuck in one side of the wing or the other. I can readjust by going heads-up a bit, but letting a bit of air out of the over-inflated side is often easier and more precise for me.

 

[Adobo]

Thanks for your opinions and perspectives. As a newbie, it is hard to distinguish items of fluff vs. items of merit.

I'll be sure to continue to add new findings and opinions as my experience and level of knowledge grows.

 

[Jarrett]

Adobo, have you actually held the two BCs side by side? That made my mind up for me. I went with the Brigade. I would like the right shoulder dump for use with an octo/inflator, but that's really minor compared to all the good features about the Zeagles.

 

[Adobo]

Well, not side by side. I look at the knighthawk about twice a week (when I come in for class) and have worn my brigade in the pool twice. Is that close enough.

Just so I am clear, I am not saying that the knighthawk is superior. Just merely pointing out that there are features of scubapro bcds that seemed appealing for someone who is very new. If I had it to do again, I would still go with the brigade.

 

[MichaelBaranows]

This may only be me but I normally don't dump air once I descend. my bouyancy is pretty much neutral to start with. I dump my air at the beginning and most of my bounyancy is controlled my breathing.

 

[Jarrett]

I don't think either are superior. I think I could be happy with the Knighthawk too. I'm just saying when holding one in each hand and looking at them, it puts it in a different perspective.