zeagle's new stiletto???

[Lexy]

I just bought the Stiletto this weekend. I can tell you that I personally feel comfortable and balanced. I'm a newbie diver and can only compare the Zeagle Stiletto to the rental stuff... which isn't fair. My biggest problem was balancing and the constant sculling underwater. This has since been corrected with back inflation and integrated weight. The Stiletto "feels" durable and I anticipate having it for many dives. That's my 2 pennies

 

[Chad Carney]

Lexy,

I'm glad to see a lady in a Stiletto, and thanks for choosing a Zeagle!
Scott/Zeagle and I have been test diving the Stiletto for quite a while and I like it better than any BC or BP&W I've used!

Did you get a chance to dive the BC over the holidays? Get your weights dialed in?
I'd love to hear your report!

Have a Happy Diving New Year!
Chad

Chad Carney
Florida Zeagle Sales Rep.
Mobile Scuba Instruction
727-423-7775
cubera@ij.net
www.mobilescuba.com

 

[Lexy]

Did you get a chance to dive the BC over the holidays? Get your weights dialed in? I'd love to hear your report!

Hi Chad,
Had all sorts of fun stuff planned for new year's and diving over at Catalina Island. Unfortunately, I got hit with the flu really hard and had to cancel all plans. Anyhow, I'll keep you posted on how the weighting issue goes and how the Stiletto is feeling! I'm getting antsy to get back in the water... Thanks for the follow up. -- Lexy

 

[Lexy]

So weighting issue is about 75% - 80% resolved. Using ankle weights seemed to really help. Front pockets hold 67% of my total weight, trim pockets are at 20% and 13% on ankles.

After a few dives this weekend, here's my findings:
1. I like the fact that Stilleto is easy to pack and isn't a space hog.
2. It's super easy to get on, comfortable when fully loaded. Very comfortable underwater and never, ever confining movement.
3. Like the easy to reach steel D rings.
4. Like the overall "sturdy" factor. Feels like I'm going to be diving in this BC for years.

Couple of "minor issues" - maybe the Zeagle guys can help?
1. Front pockets - (there's two fronts - sm & lg) :
* The large pocket is where I place two 5 lb. sea-bags -> which just barely fit and I have to fight to get them in. Is there another type of weight (maybe seapearls) which might fit easier into the lg. pocket?
* Small front pocket - Seems too small. I can't even fit my backup light in, which is just a small standard Pelican light. Is there an additional pocket that I can buy as an "optional feature"

2. Cumberbun/waist strap - I typically don the waist strap/cumberbun so it sits between my waist and upper hips. So the weight pockets are riding on my hips - not at my waist. During the dive, I'm finding that the straps/cumberbun are riding up toward the smaller portion of my waist. My instructor mentioned that the LDS folks may be able to fit the Stilleto with a crotch strap. Would that resolve the "ride up"?

 

[clgsamson]

Hi,
maybe u can answer my query, do u have a cummerbund for a zeagle scout?

clgsamson@yahoo.com

The stiletto is nice... It's basically an escape with a few metal d-rings. Other option would be a Brigade which is a ranger with a escape bladder. Just depends if you want the extra d rings and the heavier material and wider shoulders.

 

[liberato]

...My instructor mentioned that the LDS folks may be able to fit the Stilleto with a crotch strap. Would that resolve the "ride up"?

I don't know if the Stilletto has the buckles for the strap like the Ranger does but if it does then the strap will cure the problem. I think the strap should be standard equipment. If for some reason the Stilleto doesn't come with the buckles already installed it would be worthwhile to put them on. You could just get a leather awl (the kind with the spool of heavy-duty waxed thread) from a crafts or fabric store and do it yourself.

 

[ScottZeagle]

A crotch strap will help keep the BC from riding up, but the Stiletto doesn't currently come with the attachment buckle. I will mention it in our next production meeting and see how much trouble it would be to add one to the BC. In the meantime, if you want to have the dive shop send your BC in to us Lexy, I will have one added for you!!
PM me for more info on getting it sent in...

Fitting 5 pounds into the front weight pockets should be no problem at all. Are you adding the weight after the BC is on, or before? I use a 5 lb lead block weight and have plenty of room to spare....odd....

The outside utility pockets are a bit smaller than the ones on a Ranger. This was done to keep the Stiletto more streamlined. Any Zeagle pocket will attach to the BC, if you need a little more space. Here is a link to the pockets available:
http://www.zeagle.com/index.php?submenu=Accessories&src=gendocs&link=Accy_pockets

clgsamson - any dealer can order you a cummerbund for a zeagle scout. It is the exact same as an Escape cummerbund and the part # is 7169E.

Thanks for your input, Lexy!!!!!

Dive safe,

Scott

 

[Lexy]

Fitting 5 pounds into the front weight pockets should be no problem at all. Are you adding the weight after the BC is on, or before? I use a 5 lb lead block weight and have plenty of room to spare....odd....

Thank you as always Scott for your suggestions and ideas. The 5 pound bags are x 2 in each pocket. There are two 5 pound sea bags in each pocket, for a total of 10 lbs per pocket or 20 totall front weight pockets. Is there a different brand of weight I should be using rather than sea bags? I'll look into the weight blocks you mentioned too.

I'm still a really new diver and I'll keep posting my thoughts about the Stiletto, as I mature in my diving

 

[ScottZeagle]

Thank you as always Scott for your suggestions and ideas. The 5 pound bags are x 2 in each pocket. There are two 5 pound sea bags in each pocket, for a total of 10 lbs per pocket or 20 totall front weight pockets. Is there a different brand of weight I should be using rather than sea bags? I'll look into the weight blocks you mentioned too.

I'm still a really new diver and I'll keep posting my thoughts about the Stiletto, as I mature in my diving

Aha!! I misunderstood your weighting - sorry!!!

Soft weights (like sea bags) will generally work better than lead block weights. I don't know what different sizes of soft weights that you have access to, but you could try one 5 lb, one 3 lb, and one 2 lb in each side. The seperate weights may fill up the contour of the pocket better than just putting two 5 lb bags in there. (disclaimer: This is just something I have experimented with - not 100% positive that it will work for you... )

As you get more comfortable with diving, you may be able to drop a little weight as well. This is generally the case, as far as I know!!

Please keep me posted!!!!

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Chad Carney]

So weighting issue is about 75% - 80% resolved. Using ankle weights seemed to really help. Front pockets hold 67% of my total weight, trim pockets are at 20% and 13% on ankles.

Couple of "minor issues" - maybe the Zeagle guys can help?
1. Front pockets - (there's two fronts - sm & lg) :
* The large pocket is where I place two 5 lb. sea-bags -> which just barely fit and I have to fight to get them in. Is there another type of weight (maybe seapearls) which might fit easier into the lg. pocket?
* Small front pocket - Seems too small. I can't even fit my backup light in, which is just a small standard Pelican light. Is there an additional pocket that I can buy as an "optional feature"

2. Cumberbun/waist strap - I typically don the waist strap/cumberbun so it sits between my waist and upper hips. So the weight pockets are riding on my hips - not at my waist. During the dive, I'm finding that the straps/cumberbun are riding up toward the smaller portion of my waist. My instructor mentioned that the LDS folks may be able to fit the Stilleto with a crotch strap. Would that resolve the "ride up"?

Hi Lexy.

I agree with Scott about smaller weights. I used to even stock ones, although the manufacturers didn't like it, (too much cost per lbs for them.) It is much easier to load smaller increments because they will go flatter into the corners. Zeagle's insertable weight pouches are also designed with a velcro shelf in them to keep the weight from lumping on the bottom. The 12 lbs pockets would be fine for you, and make it easier to carry them too. You can also write your weight requirements on the yellow pocket with a sharpie pen.

Most guys can wear a BC as you desribed above with no ride-up, because of the general straight up waist men have. Women with curves will often have to wear the waist band higher, at the narrowest point of teir waist in order stop ride-up. (And to avoid a crotch strap.) Does that position bother you? Some ladies in Zeagles do prefer a crotch strap systems, like our split saddle strap, but generally for more technical dive applications.

Thanks for all your comments!

Chad

(Pocketing lights without a recoiler is often a quick way to lose one. Recoilers will attach pretty nicely on the bottom of the shoulder strap and will loop into the pocket when you want it not dangling.)