Zeagle 911 or Tech BCD?

[Lost Yooper]

Did you ask that guy if he's ever dove back inflation? I'm kind of doubting it. They don't float you face down if you use them correctly. With back inflation, you can't be severely over weighted is all (a bad thing anyway). If you use back inflation properly, you won't even know it's there -- both underwater and on the surface.
Back inflation is definately the way to go and isn't "overkill" for anything. The BP/wing, as sold by Halcyon, is the simplist way to go (and simple=good, IMO). The IQ isn't overkill, but is rather chuck full of "stuff" that isn't needed. If you want weight integration, Halcyon has that too.

Mike

 

[algulfdiver]

Hello, 92630Diver
First of all I was diving the ScubaPro Clasic, And got ready for a back inflation BC. After research I bought a SP. S-Tec and am verry pleased with it, plenty of D-rings (11) up gradeable to weight intergrated for about 50$ or so. But when the Night hawk came out three of my buddys purched them and love them.
also the S-Tec BC is wing changeable but it has a soft pac. and can handle doubbles. ScubaPro is ALSO a fine product.:tree: :mean:

 

[tombiowami]

Along with LY, the whole back inflation keeping you face down on the surface is such a mispaced concept!

First, BCs are not life preservers, none, or very, very few are licensed as such.

A back inflate or bp/wings are designed for SCUBA DIVING, not hanging out on the surface...

If you are being pummeled into the water by your bc then your weighting is off.

My buddy dives the IQ Pack and it has an ungodly amount of d rings, I have no idea what anyone needs with that many.

Tommy

 

[TexasMike]

Originally posted by tombiowami
I have no idea what anyone needs with that many.

Simple.....bragging rights and to attact the baracuda.


92360...be sure to read the "Why aren't BP/Wings sold to new divers" thread we have going as an offshoot of this thread.

Or, you can always take a long weekend and go visit/dive with Uncle Pug in Seattle.

 

[92630Diver]

I have been reading the other BP/Wing thread as well. Being new to the sport I have spent quite a bit of time here reading the various threads to obtain information and personal opinions. I believe that the manager and owner of my LDS do not have their own financial interests at heart when recommending gear to me however. Afterall they do carry OMS equipment and would stand to make a greater profit by talking me into purchasing an OMS IQ Pack and Wing configuration. Instead they are giving me good advice and listening to my needs, while also anticipating what type of diving I'm likely to be doing based on my own statements.

I'll be diving on Saturday with a Zeagle Ranger BC to check it out. I still wonder if all BC deteriorate to a chalky gray color after repeated use. The ZR that I'll be renting looks like it is quite old, but it is only a couple of years old. It's been a rental so it has seen quite a bit of use. But it makes me wonder if, no matter how well I care for my BC after diving with it repeatedly, will it too gradually fade to gray?

I know that the BP/Wing configuration is highly recommended, and I am considering it as my first BC purchase. But I also have not ruled out the Zeagle BC's and am considering the Scubapro KnightHawk as well. I checked out a Mares Sycro Tech, it's a nice looking BC and fit well but weighed a ton and is very bulky.

Comfort and performance are the key factors here, even if I have to pay more to get it. The lack of a backplate of any kind on the Zeagle BC's is of note. Do any owners of Zeagle Ranger or Tech BC's have issues with this, as compared to other BC's with backplate (usually plastic) built in?

 

[tombiowami]

Rental BCs are, well, rental BCs. They go through the fire and back, dragged, left out, stepped on, ran over, you name it. Same goes for the regs et al. I would not be concerned with the grey or look. The Ranger is very well put together. You never know what that one has been through. The grey may be a lot of pool diving and not cleaning it afterward. Another reason to buy your gear.

Anyway, I am a Ranger owner who had an issue with no bp in the bc, so I bought a bp and will be selling the Ranger on Ebay with all the others who have backplates.

Tommy

 

[TexasMike]

Discoloration can also happen through use in the swimming pool due to the chlorine. And the one you are renting could be like Tommy says where the prior users haven't taken as good care of it as you will of your purchase. Also, anything left in direct sunlight long enough will fade.

As far as aging and discoloration, Tom Vyles (here on the board) has a Scuba Pro Phantom BC that he purchased about 12 years ago that still looks nice and clean (because he takes good care of it) and no fading or discoloration.


Zeagles and lack of backplate.....as far as comfort/performance, no, I have never had a problem with it. I found the Ranger to be very comfortable and for the 50-60 recreational dives I have in it, it performed very well. For those not requiring a backplate setup, the Ranger is definitely a must on the "BC's to investigate" list.

Sounds like your getting close to information overload. I'd try to dive every type of BC you can get your hands on (including someone's BP if possible) since you have some good "head" knowledge. It's time to get some practical trials to see which fits you and your diving style.

Oh, and don't worry about upsetting the LDS if you don't buy from them this round. If they are a shop worth buying from, they will understand that providing you firendly help, support, classes, etc., you will be spending plenty of money with them in the future.

Keep on keeping us informed. And be sure to have lots of fun on your dives this weekend.

And don't forget if you are ever in my neck of the woods.....

 

[squidguy]

Yeah I've seen rentals turn a shade of brown after too many pool sessions (chlorine) so grey may be a possibility too.

The Zeagle uses two tank straps to negate movement as it is a soft pack.

 

[92630Diver]

If work ever has me traveling to the TX area I'll let you know. I wouldn't pass up on an opportunity to dive.

I'm going to see if I can test a Scubapro Knighthawk this weekend as well. The manager of the LDS uses that particular BC and likes it quite a bit. His just happens to fit me. We're diving "Dead Man's Reef" on Saturday morning. I haven't asked about the nature of the name, I'm only interested in the fact that it's developed a reputation for excellent diving conditions and abundant marine life.

 

[roakey]

92630Diver,

Contact Michael Kane at mhkane@prodigy.net and ask him to point you to a shop that carries BP/Wings in your area.

So he knows where you're coming from, tell him you're a new diver looking to make your first BC purchase and on a board a number of folks have recommended the BP/Wings combo.

I know they're shops out in the LA area that carry this stuff, I just don't know which ones, since I live no where near there.

Roak