ScubaWulf
Guest
Totally new diver here, did OW and AOW back in Feb. Spent a while researching equipment before buying anything for my first "real" dives coming very soon in Hawaii. Ended up with a Zeagle Express Tech mainly due to the reviews on here. THANKS GUYS! Doing a modified Hogarth setup for it I guess you could say. Used their instructions to adjust the straps and added the crotch strap. I've been working in my LDS pool to dial it in. Takes more work than the average jacket since I am responsible for the placement of everything on it which honestly I am enjoying.
Setup is standard aluminum 80 tank, added the zip cord weight pockets and two weight pockets on the upper tank band. I have scrawny chicken legs that have no buoyancy so had to add weight up higher to get horizontal underwater. New front zip Henderson full 3 mil. 3 mil booties and Viper fins with spring straps that I made. AL Titan LX setup, nothing special, standard OW config for breathing. Added two D stainless D rings on the shoulders and two plastic D rings on the waist which came with the pad set I added. Only using the back pad to give me a little more head room so I can keep the tank a little higher. Flashlight clips to right shoulder, shoved into inner tube to not dangle, noise maker clips to left shoulder tucked into inner tube same reason. Gauges clip to left waist with stainless snap cave tied. Octo swiv with magnetic connector hooks to D ring right waist. Strap from noisemakers loops over inflator button and holds it close to chest. SMB clipped to ring on backside bottom of BC. No danglies!
This is such a nice clean streamlined and comfortable setup. I'm just elated over it and feel so balanced and in control that it's hard to describe. I felt like the sta-puff marshmallow guy during class in jacket BCs. Everything has a place that I decided on. I'll sit underwater clipping and unclipping things so I can do it without thinking while staying in place No searching for things. Its just fun!
If you're like me and didn't quite feel right in a jacket I'd say go for the backplane setup. I don't think you will regret it. My LDS tried to talk me out of it for something they had in stock but I held my ground and am glad for it.
Good luck and stay safe.
Jeff
Setup is standard aluminum 80 tank, added the zip cord weight pockets and two weight pockets on the upper tank band. I have scrawny chicken legs that have no buoyancy so had to add weight up higher to get horizontal underwater. New front zip Henderson full 3 mil. 3 mil booties and Viper fins with spring straps that I made. AL Titan LX setup, nothing special, standard OW config for breathing. Added two D stainless D rings on the shoulders and two plastic D rings on the waist which came with the pad set I added. Only using the back pad to give me a little more head room so I can keep the tank a little higher. Flashlight clips to right shoulder, shoved into inner tube to not dangle, noise maker clips to left shoulder tucked into inner tube same reason. Gauges clip to left waist with stainless snap cave tied. Octo swiv with magnetic connector hooks to D ring right waist. Strap from noisemakers loops over inflator button and holds it close to chest. SMB clipped to ring on backside bottom of BC. No danglies!
This is such a nice clean streamlined and comfortable setup. I'm just elated over it and feel so balanced and in control that it's hard to describe. I felt like the sta-puff marshmallow guy during class in jacket BCs. Everything has a place that I decided on. I'll sit underwater clipping and unclipping things so I can do it without thinking while staying in place No searching for things. Its just fun!
If you're like me and didn't quite feel right in a jacket I'd say go for the backplane setup. I don't think you will regret it. My LDS tried to talk me out of it for something they had in stock but I held my ground and am glad for it.
Good luck and stay safe.
Jeff