Newsgroups: rec.scuba

I own a SeaQuest, but have tried a number of other BCs.  I have not had the
fortune of trying a Zeagle (had some good reviews here) (I chose a SeaQuest
b'cos I could get it cheaper at my friendly neighbourhood dive shop).  My
experience with my SeqQuest has been positive -- it's rugged and takes abuse
easily (not that I'd subject it).  If you can, try them out (with a tank) in
the store and adjust for fit.  Better still, see if you can borrow them for a
pool session and check them out.  That will give you a fel of its behaviour
(Incidentally, if your store allows you to do this, that's a good reason to
support them).

The final choice should be on comfort and fitness for use.  


In rec.scuba, peterson@hpl.hp.com (Chris Peterson) writes:

|I own and have dived with several different SeaQuest BCs.  I have not tried
|a Zeagle yet, although the one instructor I know that owns one loves it.
|Here's my $0.02 worth anyway.
|
|In article <28AUG199215232587@zeus.tamu.edu> acb6257@zeus.tamu.edu  writes:
|>I'm considering buying a BC with weight pockets. A local dive shop has both
|>Zeagle and a Sea Quest model. They're charging the same price, but the shop
|>owner is pushing the Sea Quest model. I don't have enough diving experience 
|>to know how important the various differences are.
|>
|>(1) the Zeagle has a bladder, the Sea Quest is bladderless
|
|	BCs with bladders are usually more bulky and less streamlined
|	than those without.  I have certainly found this to be true
|	with BCs other than Zeagle.

One more problem I have experienced with BCs with bladders.  The access is
usually via a zipper, and this tends to get stuck over time (unless one is
rigorous with cleaning and waxing).  Also, the additional fabric over the
bladder traps water and contributes to drag.  Of course, since the BCs with
bladders I've used were the old SeqQuest types, the age may have something to
do with it.

|
|>(2) the Zeagle has the air mostly in the back. is the tendency to tip face
|>    forward in the water because of this a problem? i've heard 2 different
|>    opinions from 2 dive shops. is it more of an issue in rough water?
|
|	To some extent, this will be a problem with the SeaQuest BCs as
|	well.  However, it is only a problem resting vertically on the
|	surface, since one's normal swimming position is either face-down
|	or on your back.  An unconscious diver tends to roll over, face
|	down, in most BCs anyway.

IMHO this is only an issue on the surface.  About the only type of BC that
will reliabily float you face up is the horsecollar BC (ABLJ to our English
friends).  For this reason (among others) BCs are not certified as life
jackets.  Under water, as Chris points out, this face-down feature is less of 
an issue.

|
|>(3) the Zeagle has a second dump valve low on the BC, the Sea Quest doesn't
|>    and doesn't have a port to add one.
|
|	A dump valve low on the BC might facilitate dumping in a head down
|	position.  This is something that most BCs can't do.  How important
|	and convenient is this for your diving?

With floating fins, maybe :-)  I've found it useful occasionally.  I was
disappointed that my SeaQuest Spectrum 4 didn't have this feature (but it's 
on the SeaQuest Spec 3).

|
|>(4) the Zeagle has a soft pad for the tank and 2 straps, the Sea Quest has
|>    a hard plastic tank pad with 1 strap. 
|
|	A soft back may feel better.  Soft packs tend to be a little more
|	buoyant than hard packs, thus causing you to add weight to 
|	compensate.  Some of the more expensive SeaQuest BCs offer a soft
|	pack too.

Check with the dealer.  SeqQuest and USD offer neutral bouyant foam.  

|
|	A single tank strap may be more convenient than two tank straps.
|	I have had a tank band loosen only very rarely.

Is the Zeagle a soft back BC?  I've usually seen twin tank straps on these BCs
only.

|
|>(5) the Zeagle has the various adjustments for fine-tuning the size of the
|>    BC.
|
|	The BC has to fit you.  Try them on.  Try them both out.  I payed
|	extra for the adjustable back-pack mounting on the SeqQuest Spectrum
|	IV to compensate for my very long torso.

Ah.  A fellow Spec 4 user.

|
|>(6) the Sea Quest has pockets and the Zeagle doesn't.
|
|	While pockets are convenient, you can dive with a goodie bag
|	if you need a place to carry things, or you can rig clips and
|	rings to attach slates, etc.
|>
|>I'd appreciate opinions on any or all differences (or any I left out).
|>Thanks,
|>Angie Betker
|
|
|-- 
|Chris Peterson                                     Hewlett-Packard Laboratories
|                                                    Research Computing Services
|                                                              Palo Alto, CA USA 
|                                                            peterson@hpl.hp.com

Good luck
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Newsgroups: rec.scuba