New to back-inflation... suggestions?

[coldfusionCS]

Hi guys, first time poster.

I'm a relatively-experienced Open Water Diver with about 70 dives. I'm finally ('bout time) going to cave and buy a BC.

I've rented the SeaQuest Pro QD, and liked it a lot, but my LDS owner pointed me recently in the direction of the Scubapro Knighthawk and the Zeagle Escape.

I'm skeptical about the Escape's weight ditching system. But I'd be happy to hear opinions about any of these BCD's... especially the Knighthawk, which I think fits my diving style (nothing fancy, open water, night dives, some photography) quite nicely.

Thanks!
coldfusion

 

[damsel]

Mmm, back-inflation. Gotta love it!

I have the Escape, and I have posted so many responses on so many BC threads now that I am sure everyone knows it (and is probably wondering if Zeagle is paying me for all this free advertising by now ^_-) but I love it to bits. Very, very nice BC. You may find, if you're not used to back-inflate, that finding a comfortable surface-swim position takes some practise, because they can have a tendency to push you face-downward, but once you work it out, it's marvelous. One quibble I have with the Escape is that entirely deflating it may require you to contort a bit in the water, because air can get trapped in the bladder, but that, too, comes very easily with practise.

About the weight system - what are your specific concerns? It's an absolute snap to ditch, one-handed and very quick, but putting the ripcord back together again is a bit of a pain... you have to re-weave the cord back through the grommets. In an actual emergency situation, though, that'd be the last thing on my mind, and overall I'm happy with it.

I was looking at the Knighthawk when I was BC shopping (well, the Ladyhawk, same difference), but ultimately chose the Escape because it was a much more adjustable BC, and because I found the backplate in the Ladyhawk uncomfortable. Try on both and see what you think - dive in both, if possible. Happy shopping!

 

[crpntr133]

I have the Zeagle Brigade (Ranger with Escape bladder) and love it. I don't see why you would be worried about the WI system. Like damsel said," snap to ditch, one-handed and very quick." Restringing the cord is a bit of a pain but not that bad. My first time at doing it may have taken me 2 minutes for both pockets. If this is the only reason that causes you to NOT buy the Escape, your a fool. I do like the fact that you can simply unzip a pocket and pull the weight out instead of pulling velcro and wearing it out.

 

[Damselfish]

I like the backplate on the Ladyhawk, my old BC was softpack and especially as it got older didn't give enough support, often bothered my back. I was thinking of an Escape but didn't get it because I hated the air trapping in the u-shaped bladder, I'm sure one can contort and get used to it, but don't see why I should have to contort...I don't understand putting u-shaped bladders on a single tank BC. But that's just me.

 

[coldfusionCS]

Thanks for all the opinions guys,

My main concern with the weight system for the Zeagle is not ditching (on the contrary, that looks better than every other system I've seen), but rather, re-arming the system.

Also an important thing for me is that I dive in a lot of places where the boats aren't very good when boarding ladders are concerned, so I like to be able to pass my weights up so that there's 12 to 14 less pounds to surface with. The mechanism on the Zeagle makes it seem as if it's tough to pull the weights out of the pockets (without pulling the ripcord) which is something the Knighthawk has no problems with (it has clipped pouches, not velcro. I agree with you, crpntr, that Velcro has a limited lifespan and I WOULDN'T trust it with something as important as weights (god forbid if they came unstuck at 100 feet on a wall dive in Cozumel... not only might someone else be hurt by falling weights, I'd never see those pouches again :11: ).

 

[The Kraken]

The Zeagle has a large, long zipper along the top of the weight pocket that makes it quite easy to load/unload the weight pockets with the weight packettes (the yellow, mesh pouches that actucally hold single/multiple soft weights)

 

[dwndeep]

i just bought the escape 2 weeks ago and have made 10 dives with it. i absolutely love it, its light and comfortable in the water. i rented the nighthawk before buying the zeagle. both are good bcs. in the water the escape has a lower profile and more streamlined fit. the only complaint i have is that all the d rings are plastic. my buddy has the ranger and dove with the escape and liked its lighter weight and closer fit.

 

[crpntr133]

The Zeagle has a large, long zipper along the top of the weight pocket that makes it quite easy to load/unload the weight pockets with the weight packettes (the yellow, mesh pouches that actucally hold single/multiple soft weights)

You will either open a regular pocket or a weight pocket on the Zeagle BC. If you decide to go with Zeagle be sure and order the yellow mesh bags because the only one that comes with it is the Ranger LTD. This will make it able to hand up the weight on a boat dive.

If plastic D-rings is an issue then order the Brigade from Scubatoys. It is the Ranger harness with the smaller Escape bladder. If you want a report do a search for Brigade, I did one a month or so ago here on SB.

Another thing that sold me on Zeagle was the fact that if you "grow" in size then the BC will do so without replacing the whole unit. Also there are several adjustment that can be made to make it fit better without ordering anything.

 

[OE2X]

Under what scenario do you want ditchable weights?

Have you considered a backplate and wing with a weight belt with just enough weight to be close the the negative characteristics of you tank?

Would you prefer a BCD that is donut in shape that won't turtle you?