Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: more BC questions...
From: wall@hel4.brl.mil (Jeff Wall)
Date: 2 Sep 92 15:30:04 EST
Reply-To: wall@hel4.brl.mil
Distribution: world
Organization: U.S. Army Human Engineering Lab  Aberdeen, MD

In article <53460048@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com> leonglaw@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com (Lawrence
LEONG) writes:
>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.  

Good advice.
I own a Zeagle. I bought it early this last spring and I absolutely love it. I
shopped long and hard before I decided and I think I got an excellent BC for
the money.

>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.

I personally like bladders.  Many times a bladder can be replaced for a
fraction of the cost of a new BC.  Don't hold to these numbers, but I think the
Zeagle bladder can be replaced for arounjd $100.

>|
>|>(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.

The Zeagle floats me a few degrees back from vertical.  I feel like I'm in a
recliner.  Now this is only when the weights are in the BC.  I don't know what
will happen if I put my weights on a weight belt.

>|>(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).

I never use it.  I ordered my Zeagle with a remote dump valve on the top of the
inflator hose.  I use this and the oral infaltor to dump air.

  
>|>(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.  

The fit on a Zeagle is critical due to the soft back pack.  I rented one a few
times before I actually bought one and  if the BC didn't fit well the tank had
a tendency to slide around.  This had a tendency to cause a few spontaneous
barrel rolls :-).


>|	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.

The Zeagle can be custom fitted for no charge (at least mine was).  All of the
pieces of a Zeagle are interchangable.  If, for example, a person is extremely
tall and skinny they could order a Zeagle with long shoulder straps and a small
cumberbund.  You aren't stuck with S, M, L, XL, etc. as your sizes (my dive
shop actually took measurements).  As I stated above the fit is necxessary to
keep the tank from sliding around.  I haven't had this with my own (as opposed
to rented) Zeagle. 

>|>(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 use a goody bag.  Plus the Zeagle has six D-rings to hang that all important
dive gear off of!!

>|>I'd appreciate opinions on any or all differences (or any I left out).

I love the integrated weight system  I don't think I'll ever wear a weight belt
again.  I wear 20 pounds in my Zeagle and have no trouble putting it on and
taking it off by my self ( w/ AL 80).  Like I said I think I got a Heck of a BC
for the money.

Jeff Wall
wall@hel4.brl.mil

Newsgroups: rec.scuba