Two Zeagle FH6 vs. one Scubapro or Aqualung?

[halocline]

I wouldn't worry about parts, but if you're a paranoid sort, you could buy several repair kits or just seats, bushings, and diaphragms (o-rings will always be around, and reg manufacturers use standard size o-rings) and hoard them. Stored correctly they'll last a long time.

 

[DiveMaven]

We have a Zeagle Envoy, Zeagle Flathead VI, and a Zeagle Flathead 7, all easy and reliable breathers. IMO its hard to beat the quality, price, and customer service of Zeagle anything.

 

[rostyvyg]

How do the second stages of Envoy, FH6 and FH7 differ from each other? I saw "in person" Envoy and FH7 and noticed that purge on Envoy is performed by pressing on the whole front cover ,where on FH7 has sort of a "button" on the front cover. Which way is FH6 second stage designed in that regard?

Also, should I put one of the second stages on 5" hose and use it as primary while the second one on a regular hose will be attached to the necklace as a backup? This way if another diver is OOA I would give him my primary and use the one on the necklace myself?

 

[Jimmer]

A quick rundown on the second stages goes as follows:

Envoy: No adjustment or heatsink, "plain jane" model
Envoy Deluxe: Same as Envoy, but adds an adjustment knob
ZX: Same as Envoy Deluxe, but add a heatsink for cold water performance
CW: same as Envoy, but adds a heatsink for cold water performance
Z: Same as ZX, but has a fancy looking purge cover, and a modified exhaust tee, comes with a Miflex hose.

The Z and ZX will perform the exact same, just look different.

Jim

How do the second stages of Envoy, FH6 and FH7 differ from each other? I saw "in person" Envoy and FH7 and noticed that purge on Envoy is performed by pressing on the whole front cover ,where on FH7 has sort of a "button" on the front cover. Which way is FH6 second stage designed in that regard?

Also, should I put one of the second stages on 5" hose and use it as primary while the second one on a regular hose will be attached to the necklace as a backup? This way if another diver is OOA I would give him my primary and use the one on the necklace myself?

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

How do the second stages of Envoy, FH6 and FH7 differ from each other? I saw "in person" Envoy and FH7 and noticed that purge on Envoy is performed by pressing on the whole front cover ,where on FH7 has sort of a "button" on the front cover. Which way is FH6 second stage designed in that regard?

Also, should I put one of the second stages on 5" hose and use it as primary while the second one on a regular hose will be attached to the necklace as a backup? This way if another diver is OOA I would give him my primary and use the one on the necklace myself?

The ZX 2nd stage that comes with the Flathead VI has the soft front cover (at least the I have does).

It is totally up to you to decide on hose lengths. But yes, the purpose of going to a "long" hose (5' or 7') is because it allows you to quickly donate a known-working reg (the one you were just breathing from) to an OOA diver, rather than fumble around finding an octo that is "probably" working, and the longer hose makes managing an air-share situation easier in open water (and absolutely vital in an overhead environment)..... going to a "long" hose does require different routing of the hose (Long hose -> Under your right arm, across your chest, behind your neck, into your mouth for a 5' hose; a 7' will have extra slack that will need to be tucked into a waist strap or under a canister light on the right hip...). There is a little debate as to whether to use 7' for both open water and overhead environments. Anyway, you just need to consider how to route the hoses. Not a big deal, but takes a little forethought.

I've gone to a 5' primary and bungied backup for single tank open water diving, and like it. I'm using a 5' Miflex hose. I really like the setup (compared to a traditional primary / octo setup). For the type diving I do, 7' was overkill.

There are some good resources in the Hogarthian section of this board if you decide to go the "long hose" route.

Best wishes.

 

[nwdiver2]

Go for the Zeagles, you won't regret it. That's what I did when I found Zeagles at great prices. Bought 2 with their octos, then use the 2nds on one reg and have the rest as backup when I need two regs like travel and when a really really good friend needs one.

 

[rostyvyg]

Just an update: Took advantage of ZeagleExpress.com closeout of FH VI for $366 and am extremely pleased with the service. I spoke to the store owner Gene Heindenreich several times on the phone to go over details (getting yellow front cap for one of the second stages, mounting it on a longer hose to another first stage to serve as an octopus, purchase of service kits to have on hand when travel, etc). Got a free regulator bag thrown in and later decided to also add to the order Zeagle Stiletto BCD for $350. Everything arrived in three days, nicely packed, with warranty cards, etc. Thanks Gene!!!