Zeagle BP/Wings

[loosebits]

I was just at my LDS looking at some BP/Wings (currently I'm diving a vest). He showed me a Zeagle BP with deluxe harness (quick release shoulder straps) and one of their smaller wings (30 something pounds) for diving with singles (I usually dive with a LP98). The way the wing attached to the backplate seemed a bit unusual (8 bolts plus 2 quick release straps) but the backplate seemed to have all of the standard holes drilled for other wings. Does anyone have any thoughts about this Zeagle system?

Can anyone recomend a weight system with this setup (I usually dive dry with about 16 lbs)? Should I go with Zeagle's pockets or is there something else out there I should look at?

He priced it at $360, sound reasonable?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bob]

Loosebits,
There have been tons of discussion on this very subject here on the board, in this very forum. You have to determine what kind of diving are you're most likely going to be doing. If you ever see yourself going to double tanks, go with a BP/Wing. I have a Ranger that I dive with single steel 104's. I don't have the Zeagle backplate setup on mine and I don't know of anyone who does. Many people buy a Ranger/Zeagle thinking it's a tech BC, and it's not, it's just a very good recreational BC. I have a BP/Wing setup I use when diving doubles, that's the only way to go. If you're only going to be diving single tanks recreationally, the Zeagle is a excellent choice, however, I don't think you need the Zeagle BP setup to dive steel 98's, save your money on that one. Since I don't dive a drysuit, I can't help on that one. :tree: Bob:

 

[loosebits]

I'm not wanting to get into the bp/wing vs jacket debate, I'm already comvincedthat bp/wing is the way to go. I was just looking for comments on Zeagle's non-standard mounting system vs something like Oxycheq, Halcyon or Dive-rite.

 

[Bob]

I'm not trying to get into a debate either... I have both types, and enjoy both. I was just trying to answer your question. Your original post sure reads like you were looking for more than a comment on "Zeagles's none standard mounting system" Sorry for bothering you. :tree: Bob

 

[caveseeker7]

loosebits once bubbled...
I was just at my LDS looking at some BP/Wings (currently I'm diving a vest). He showed me a Zeagle BP with deluxe harness (quick release shoulder straps) and one of their smaller wings (30 something pounds) for diving with singles (I usually dive with a LP98).

Hi loosebits, you might get some flak from the continous-strap crowd about the harness (especially if they know your net handle), but they are very convinient, no doubt. I dove a Ranger for years and never had any problems with them.
The bladder you're talking about is likely the 35# bladder used on the Escape and Scout BCs. They are pretty good wings, I had them on my Ranger for a while since the 44#er was too large, too much drag. I prefer oval wings, like the single tank Oxycheqs (I use the 30# one) or Halcyon bladders. But that is a personal preference. Also, somebody told me Zeagle wanted to introduce an oval 34# wing, so you might contact Zeagle and ask about that. It may save you a few bucks if you buy a set.

loosebits once bubbled...
The way the wing attached to the backplate seemed a bit unusual (8 bolts plus 2 quick release straps) but the backplate seemed to have all of the standard holes drilled for other wings. Does anyone have any thoughts about this Zeagle system?

The two QR straps are used for mounting the bladder to the BCs (Scout, Ranger etc.), they were not specifically made for back plates. Zeagle has the large twin tank Manta wings for that. And maybe the smaller one mentioned above. I don't like the 8bolt set-up, I rather use grommets and a single tank adapter to keep the bladder on the plate. When you pack for a trip for example, you probably want to detach the wing from the plate during transport. Being thrown around airports might well damage the wing. With all the bolts that's just that much more a PITA. With the STA, two thumbscrews ... If you look at Zeagle's backplate, they have three mounting holes on top, and a mounting slot on the bottom. So they can take most any bladder out there, and with a STA the camband slots are not used.
One thing I don't like so much is the hard edge on the harness slots, will wear the webbing out a bit quicker ... .

loosebits once bubbled...

Can anyone recomend a weight system with this setup (I usually dive dry with about 16 lbs)? Should I go with Zeagle's pockets or is there something else out there I should look at?

If you want integrated weights (mounted on the harness) I'd go with either DiveRite pockets or Halcyon pockets. The DiveRites are small, top-loading with a zipper, bottom releasing with velcro. That way the velcro doesn't wear out as much and as quick as usually. The Hacyon pouches have quick-releases as used on shoulder straps. Either one can be moved around the belt easily for balance. The ones Zeagle sells are also attached to the plate, and therefor pretty far back. An alternative, I use the DUI weight harness. Very comfortable, very adjustable, very easy to dump the weight when needed. And I wear the weight on my shoulder when donning or doffing the rig and moving it around.

loosebits once bubbled...

He priced it at $360, sound reasonable?

Do a web search for prices. My first plate was a used DiveRite aluminum plate I got for $20, it worked. Also, if you search the forum you'll find plenty of references to prices and places.

 

[loosebits]

Thanks, that answered my questions. I think it was a 34# wing. I looked at so many, I don't remember if it was ovular or not. I was trying to avoid STA's if possible to keep the tank as close to my back as I can. As I understand it, that leaves me with Oxycheq, Halcyon and Zeagle. It looks like DiveRite has this Venture wing coming out but who knows when that'll start shipping. The QR straps were attached to the wing though. It looks like it was designed to keep the wing level and not wrap around the tank.

DUI demo is coming to my area next weekend, I'll make sure and check out their weight harness.

As far as the price, I've been feeling guilty about buying my last reg online (don't tell Genesis) and wanted to give my LDS some business.

Bob, my apologies, I was just trying to clarify what I was asking, comments on the Zeagle BP/wing vs other mfgrs, not on the virtues of a Ranger like BC vs a true bp/wings (yes, I know the jacket vs bp/wing discussion has been done more than once). I did not mean it to sound terse.

 

[caveseeker7]

And DiveRite. The current shingles have camband slots, too. As for the Eclipse wing, just give DiveRite a call.

And be carefull at that DUI Demo Day. Very carefull. Or you might ending up coming for a wheight belt and leaving with a Signature Series.

 

[GDI]

:doctor:
Loosebits,

I have been down to the Zeagle Factory many times. The method of connecting the bladder to their BP works. Zeagle also has weight pockets which also can be secured to their BP. There is many different bladders that you can get from Zeagle for the BP. Any of ther standard wings that fit a Ranger 55# a tec 65# will attach to the BP. You can also get a bladder with a BP panel. They have the Manta Wing, the Ranger or tec wing can have the BP panel if requested. So can the little Bertha and Big bertha wings (dual 55 and 65# lift respectfully) The Ranger and Tec BCD's can also have the BP used with them if you opt to go to doubles. I have the BP with the delux harness and I use a Zeagle Big Bertha wing with Bp panel, To give you an idea I helped Zeagle design the wings with the BP panel. And I am using it today with the big bertha version. I'll be at the NACD conf with Zeagle equipment. If any one wants to see what I use I will be pleased to show them. I sometimes use my standard Zeagle Tec with a BP and find that it makes for a very comfortable system and is really very clean. Zeagles are a good product. I would tell your LDS to provide you with a better lift bladder then 34# It would take them all of 5 minutes to change the bladder. Their cost for what they stated is not to bad. As versitile as BP are look at what you want to do in your diving. Zeagle has fixed the problem regarding the tightness of the dtrap holes in the BP. If you have one that has not been adjusted they will replace your starps and correct your BP as warranty work

 

[MikeFerrara]

I only have one problem with the Zeagle plate. The cam band slots don't line up with the slots on other wings like the Halcyon single wings. If you want to use a wing like that you'll have to go with an STA. I think the Zeagle wings are too wide for a single tank. On the bc's like the ranger the wing is strapped down in the corners. On the plate they're held down by the mounting screws. They're sized like that so they can be used with either a single or doubles. I'd rather use one that's sized for what I'm doing.

An issue I have with the wings like the 44 or the 65 is that they seem a little narrow for doubles. What I mean is that too much of the wing is between the diver and the tanks. The result is that when you put air in the wing the tanks are pushed away. I've seen some have trouble reaching their valved with these wings and have no trouble with other wings.

I haven't tried the new wing that mounts to the plate by the tank band bolts.

I've been going around with them about their inflators for a long time. They stick on and they do it often. All you have to do when they stick is pull em apart and clean the old grease out but it's a pain. The spring just isn't strong enough once the grease gets a little gummy. We replaced them with other inflators on our student bc's because stuck inflators and students don't mix.

 

[loosebits]

Well, I picked up the Zeagle with the 34 lb bladder and their deluxe harness (or whatever it's called) - prior to reading Mike's post. I've never dove BP/wing so I was undecided on the virtures of a standard harness vs the deluxe. I know the DIR guys feel that QR buckles are a failure point. Personally, I've never seen one break but I suppose there's a first time for everything. I'm going to dive it this weekend and if I don't like the deluxe harness, my LDS said he would help me replace it with a single peice of webbing.

The wing, however, is held down by a couple of QR straps that loop around the harness just as it comes through the plate. This seeems like a great way to eliminate the taco effect but it does call into question the location of the rear pull dump (bottom of the wing, diver's side). My understanding is that the dumps are placed there because when diving, the wing will wrap the tank and the dump will find itself in a useful position but with the QR straps holding the wing flat, this doesn't seem possible. It look like one design team wasn't looking at what the other team was doing.

As far as weighting, I think I'm going to go with a standard weight belt for now perhaps with a trim weight like Dive Rite's 4 or 7 pounders and use it like a v-weight (or is it p-weight, whatever). That ought to leave just a few pounds for a belt, not too uncomfortable and safely ditchable.

I'll report on the experience Monday.

Mike, thanks for the warning about sticking inflators.