42 replies to this topic

[Walter]

Erin,

Why would you trying out a horse collar make me feel any better? You like your wings, they work for you, stick with them. They are a fine BC.

Walter

[Marvel]

Personally, I love my Zeagle Zena- it really conforms to me properly!!!

[Coo's Toe]

Erin,

Why would you trying out a horse collar make me feel any better? You like your wings, they work for you, stick with them. They are a fine BC.

Walter

It's not a true horse collar. It's an early jacket style BC. I just have to try it to satisfy my curiousity, I really have no intentions to replace my wings. My theory is that a good diver can make any kind of equipment work, and I figured I'd put my money where my mouth is by giving the thing a trial run in a nearby pond, just for kicks.

Maybe it's similiar to why you still break out the DA Aquamaster every so often. Just because there's all these modern bells and whistles doesn't mean the vintage gear wasn't up to par. It would be a shame if it stayed in the closet forever, right?

[Sweeper]

Is there a way to try out different BC's without purchasing?

Michael

[Walter]

Erin,

What's the make & model? I might have some insight to help it be a more enjoyable experience for you. Orange makes my think it's an old Scubapro stab vest. It it is, no one has come up with a better design yet.

Don't try a double hose without some pointers. They are vastly different from single hose regs. Come visit and I'll teach you on mine.

Walter

[Coo's Toe]

Walter, It's not a scubapro stab-jacket. It's some off brand that I've never heard of. It looks like it would be a pain to use, but curiousity will still get the better of me... I don't have access to any double hose regs, but I'd love to try yours out when I make it to your stomping grounds ( Please promise you'll take me out diving for fossils, that's a dive trip I'm VERY eager to do )

Michael, the only thing I can think to suggest as far as sampling the various BC's out there in the water would be renting, and hopefully finding more diving friends that would let you try theirs out. Of course you can try the new ones out in the shops... look for something that fits you well. The better BC's ( my humble opinion ) all have air cells that inflate out away from your back. The ones that inflate in front generally cause an uncomfortable squeeze when fully inflated, not my idea of comfort. Look around, take your time, and see what you can rent or borrow. A lot of instructors and DM's are required to use what the shop sells, and may have personal gear in their closets at home you might be able to try if you keep it hush hush, so you might ask them about that too.

[Sweeper]

Thanks for the info and ideas, Coo's Toe!

Btw, why do you call yourself Coo's Toe?

[Coo's Toe]

Say it out loud... and think Jacques "Coo's Toe"... My obscure little joke. Not many people get it without having it explained.

[Walter]

Well Erin,

I already have a tip for your semi-vintage dive. Don't hook up the chest strap. It's not necessary and the chest strap is what causes some BC's to squeeze. No chest strap, no squeeze.

Of course, I'll take you to Venice Beach (weather permitting).

Walter

[jeadiver]

Michael:

Most of the better shops will let you at least try new equipment out in a pool. If they won't, don't buy it from them. If they don't have a pool in-house, they will often let you swim around while a class is going on. The only caution is that you need to dress out like you would for a typical dive, that way you can tell if the equipment you are testing really fits your needs based on your dive style. It can get pretty toasty in a pool if you need the equipment to fit a dry suit, but if you are mostly tropical diving then the light wetsuit usually worn isn't that bad. You typically won't be able to tell complete bouyancy characteristics because you usually can't go below 12 to 20 ft. in most pools, but it is enough to test for fit and comfort while finning.

Joe.

Edited by jeadiver, 31 March 2004 - 08:19 AM.

[Diverlady]

I use a Zeagle Concept II Sport which I don't see in their catalogue anymore. It's very similar to the Scout. No ripcord system in mine and while it did come with a padded back, I've removed it - it's not necessary.
I probably would not have purchased it if my LDS hadn't insisted that I try out a back-inflate. I was all ready to purchase a jacket style but the LDS twisted my arm and I grudgingly tried out a Zeagle. Am I ever glad I did!!! I'll never use a jacket-style again if I can help it.

Now as far as I'm concerned my LDS is the best! He didn't want to sell me something without me trying out a different style first. How many LDS's do that?!

I think Zeagle makes a BP/W as well. I wouldn't mind trying out a BP/W setup some time but I'm in no hurry to replace my Zeagle. Plus, I have other things to spend my $$ right now like WW's trips!!

Diverlady

[Walter]

The other day, I was watching a buddy with a Zeagle Ranger. I wasn't impressed. It traps air. I had to get behind her and squeeze the bladder to get the air out. It's a poor design. I'm not familiar with the Concept II Sport, but I don't recommend the Ranger.

Walter

[Diverlady]

Interesting, Walter. I haven't had trouble venting my BC at all. When I lean back all the air is forced up and it vents quite easily. My bladder is a lot smaller than the Ranger. Did your buddy need a bladder that large? Perhaps a smaller one would suffice.

Diverlady

[Walter]

Diverlady,

No, I'm sure she doesn't need that large of a bladder, but size isn't the crucial factor at this point. The Ranger has design flaw that makes it difficult to vent all the air. Correct placement of the dump valve would easily correct this.

When we dive together, please remind me to look at your Concept II Sport. I'm interested in how different thay are.

Walter

[Narwhal]

One of my BCs is a DUI with interchangeable bladders. I can configure it as a jacket BC or take the jacket bladder off and attach any one of several wings. It has infinite adjustment--for the most part you can adjust the harness for anyone from an XS to XXXL. It is truly customizable. It is one of the most comfortable BCs I have ever used. This might be a consideration for you--at least worth a look.
I have several BPs and harnesses. Aluminum and SS. I have several other jacket style BCs including a couple of Aqualung/Seaquest and a couple of Mares/Dacor. My children (whom I taught to dive and have seen my equipment) prefer Zeagle Ranger BCs. I have dived but never owned a Zeagle product. I teach quite often in a Dacor Nautica or a USD Cousteau RDS. I cannot teach in a back inflate BC and feel comfortable with students on a platform. If I'm diving on my own time, I usually prefer back inflate or BP and Classic Wing. My best advice is to borrow or try a lot of equipment dive a lot and decide what's right for you.

And Walter, when you come to Dallas, I have some neat old things to show you. How about a Aqualung Mistral, still in the box, never dived, with the original yellow hoses? I can remember diving a mistral--single stage, tank pressure to demand, roll purges etc.. And to think, we lived through it!! <G> A couple of Royal Aquamasters, a Healthways, a Voit, and an old Nimrod---ah, those were the days---not. I have a set of double 72 steels ('60 manufacture that just got back from hydro) with a non-isolated manifold. I am mounting them on an aluminum backplate with DUI wings. I decided against a harness, no horse collar and "swim your equipment to the surface". I'm not that retro.