If you like your Ranger, you'll love the Brigade.
Zeagle Brigade vs. Stiletto
- Thread starter RonFrank
- Start date
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RonFrank
Contributor
While bladder swapping sounds good, it's rather expensive. For the amount of a new bladder, I can add a bit more to the mix, and get a new BCD.
My Ranger is great, and I'm not in a huge rush to get into something new, but the lack of side pockets has been a bit annoying as I'd rather not stuff gear into my weight pocket, and the small non-zip pocket is kinda funky to get into and out of as it's narrow. I've also lost two bottles of defog as it does not zip. It's VERY good for stuffing things that are not buoyant into, but if you have stuff in it that is buoyant, don't open it and use it for anything else.
I have found even packing it for road trips is bulky, and I will be flying with it a couple times a year. As my BCD is eight or so years old, I'm thinking new BCD, ebay the old, and try and stick with ONE BCD as my original thought was to go with a second for travel.
I don't dive doubles now, and don't have plans too in the near future, but I suppose one advantage of the Brigade is that it can do doubles, however I'm sure I'd need a new bladder.
I'm inclined to go with Larry's thoughts on the Brigade, but I'm going to give Scott a call, and hear the rundown. In any event when I do get a new BCD ScubaToys will get the business. My LDS does not carry anything Zeagle other than the Zena and Escape (I'm guessing the Ranger does not fly off the shelf at $700) so I have not seen a Stiletto first hand.
My Ranger is great, and I'm not in a huge rush to get into something new, but the lack of side pockets has been a bit annoying as I'd rather not stuff gear into my weight pocket, and the small non-zip pocket is kinda funky to get into and out of as it's narrow. I've also lost two bottles of defog as it does not zip. It's VERY good for stuffing things that are not buoyant into, but if you have stuff in it that is buoyant, don't open it and use it for anything else.
I have found even packing it for road trips is bulky, and I will be flying with it a couple times a year. As my BCD is eight or so years old, I'm thinking new BCD, ebay the old, and try and stick with ONE BCD as my original thought was to go with a second for travel.
I don't dive doubles now, and don't have plans too in the near future, but I suppose one advantage of the Brigade is that it can do doubles, however I'm sure I'd need a new bladder.
I'm inclined to go with Larry's thoughts on the Brigade, but I'm going to give Scott a call, and hear the rundown. In any event when I do get a new BCD ScubaToys will get the business. My LDS does not carry anything Zeagle other than the Zena and Escape (I'm guessing the Ranger does not fly off the shelf at $700) so I have not seen a Stiletto first hand.
MoonWrasse
Contributor
ScottZeagle:Ron,
Give me a call at Zeagle and I will go over them all with you. Much easier and faster than typing...
Kracken - working on it. (In my best Yoda voice) "Learn patience, you must, young padiwan...."
However you might have to explain that more than once on the phone.
ScottZeagle
Contributor
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MoonWrasse:
True, however it has been completely typed out in previous threads, and honestly, I was too busy this morning to do it...
I will see if the search function works!!!
Scott
ScottZeagle
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Here ya go...this will give you a good idea:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=81376&highlight=Stiletto
The Brigade is basically Ranger with a parapack single bag 35lb. bladder instead of a 44lb double bag, and it also has a roll-up pocket added.
The Stiletto and Escape diffences (as well as the Brigade, I think) are in the thread I reference...
The Search function is your friend!!!
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=81376&highlight=Stiletto
The Brigade is basically Ranger with a parapack single bag 35lb. bladder instead of a 44lb double bag, and it also has a roll-up pocket added.
The Stiletto and Escape diffences (as well as the Brigade, I think) are in the thread I reference...
The Search function is your friend!!!
Geezer
Contributor
Like Herman, I started with a Ranger, then bought a Scout for travel use. Then, after I started diving LP steel tanks locally, I've found that I like the Scout for local freshwater diving (only need a few pounds of lead with the steel tank), and I keep packing the Ranger for my saltwater trips. The Ranger doesn't pack as compact as the Scout, but I love the weight pockets and release system. Maybe one of these days I'll tear both of them apart and make my own Brigade.
MoonWrasse
Contributor
ScottZeagle:Here ya go...this will give you a good idea:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=81376&highlight=Stiletto
The Brigade is basically Ranger with a parapack single bag 35lb. bladder instead of a 44lb double bag, and it also has a roll-up pocket added.
The Stiletto and Escape diffences (as well as the Brigade, I think) are in the thread I reference...
The Search function is your friend!!!
Thanks! I'm looking at the Stiletto for a travel BCD (tropics) as I traveldive.
That's kinda what I posted earlier in this thread, point to ScubaToyz descriptions, so the Stiletto is still the way I'll go.
Oh, and the search function wasn't my friend last night
The Stiletto is no Escape, nor is it a Ranger.
In my opinion the Stiletto BC is the most durable BC Zeagle makes, as it's bladder and vest are constructed of cordura. It is also Zeagle's most streamlined BC. It has all the deluxe features that accompany their top quality BCs, yet it is one of the lightest in the line.
The Stiletto is the Zeagle BC customers have been longing to dive!
Chad
Zeagle guinea pig diver
& FL Sales
In my opinion the Stiletto BC is the most durable BC Zeagle makes, as it's bladder and vest are constructed of cordura. It is also Zeagle's most streamlined BC. It has all the deluxe features that accompany their top quality BCs, yet it is one of the lightest in the line.
The Stiletto is the Zeagle BC customers have been longing to dive!
Chad
Zeagle guinea pig diver
& FL Sales
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