UFOrb
Contributor
Hi, I'm considering buying my first BCD and require a lightweight option for travel. I've had a look at some travel BCs and drawn up a shortlist, at the top of which is currently the Zeagle ET. Probably with the shoulder pads option as I tend to dive with just a rash guard (and shorts ) when I can, and we'll possibly do a fair few of shore entries over the next few years.
I know the Zeagle is well thought of on SB and been discussed loads previously.
My question is more about whether it would work as a shared BC. My wife & I don't dive together right now as we have little kids so we 'tag-team' the dives. Would it be easy & quick enough to adjust the ET during a surface interval, for example, so we can both dive with it? Baring in mind, I'm around 1.82m (5'11'') / 95kg (210lb) and my wife's 1.56m (5'1") / 54kg (119lb) (I think).
Would the bladder be suitable for both of us?
We are rec holiday divers so only 1 tank set up required.
I would like the option of integrated weights but read somewhere the Zeagle weight pockets are not that good. I assume I could just buy 3rd party pockets to attach instead?
Other than that my shortlist comprises:
Cressi Ultralight
AquaLung Zuma
Hollis LTS
...and possibly Mares Hybrid Pure
Obviously the above would be just for me, but my wife's not as bothered about owning a BCD as I am, she's been happy with rentals. So would I be better off getting my size in one of the above? I really like the look of the Hollis, one of my insta-buddies on my last trip had one, and probably the most robust out of all of them?, but it is the most expensive too.
Unfortunately my LDC has none of the above in stock to look at, except the Mares I think?
Any opinions would be much appreciated. Btw, I've only used jacket type BCs previously but have not been happy with a few of them and I really like the idea of these lightweight ones (more freedom, better position in the water etc).
Cheers,
Rob
I know the Zeagle is well thought of on SB and been discussed loads previously.
My question is more about whether it would work as a shared BC. My wife & I don't dive together right now as we have little kids so we 'tag-team' the dives. Would it be easy & quick enough to adjust the ET during a surface interval, for example, so we can both dive with it? Baring in mind, I'm around 1.82m (5'11'') / 95kg (210lb) and my wife's 1.56m (5'1") / 54kg (119lb) (I think).
Would the bladder be suitable for both of us?
We are rec holiday divers so only 1 tank set up required.
I would like the option of integrated weights but read somewhere the Zeagle weight pockets are not that good. I assume I could just buy 3rd party pockets to attach instead?
Other than that my shortlist comprises:
Cressi Ultralight
AquaLung Zuma
Hollis LTS
...and possibly Mares Hybrid Pure
Obviously the above would be just for me, but my wife's not as bothered about owning a BCD as I am, she's been happy with rentals. So would I be better off getting my size in one of the above? I really like the look of the Hollis, one of my insta-buddies on my last trip had one, and probably the most robust out of all of them?, but it is the most expensive too.
Unfortunately my LDC has none of the above in stock to look at, except the Mares I think?
Any opinions would be much appreciated. Btw, I've only used jacket type BCs previously but have not been happy with a few of them and I really like the idea of these lightweight ones (more freedom, better position in the water etc).
Cheers,
Rob