Zeagle's Express Tech: The first and last BC most will ever need (or want)

[skyward]

I'm a new diver thinking about a lightweight and compact travel BC and the Express Tech looks pretty good. I can see though that it really needs some D rings and I'm not familiar with whats available and how to add them.

Some of the above pictures look like they have some plate cut D rings which seem easy and obvious how to install. Some other pictures look like they have some standard welded wire D rings on webbing but it isn't obvious how they are attached.

What's the easiest way to add the wire D rings and are there any advantages or disadvantages to each type, eg. do the plate D rings have sharp edges that you wouldn't want to put the secondary hose it to stow it.

What about adding a crotch strap? What's the standard or easy way to do that?

Sorry if these are obvious questions.

Doug

[NetDoc]

All you need is

and

These come from Reef Scuba and are about $2.88 for both pieces.

Or go with

That comes from Deep Sea Supply and runs about $15.00 each. This is what I use and they are GREAT!

[skyward]

Thanks, any suggestion for a crotch strap?

[herman]

Crotch strap is super easy. There is a slide already installed in the rear of the BC so all you need is a length of 2in webbing and a couple more of the triglides like the ones above. Install the webbing in the backplate slide, install a triglide on the webbing, fold the webbing over itself and back through the triglide- done. To use it, you simply run the waist strap through the loop in the webbing, adjusting as needed. I use the second triglide in the rear just to keep the extra tail from flapping around. You could cut it off but I prefer to leave it in case I need more length for some reason.

[NetDoc]

Did someone say Crotch Strap? This is the one I use:

Deep Sea Supply's Crotch Strap

I just added this to replace the Butt Ring:

Deep Sea Supply's Side Mount Tail Plate

Yes, I will be trying this with a side mount this next week. It's a pretty versatile BC.

[skyward]

OK, the crotch strap looks easy too, thanks. Is a plastic release clip worthwhile in the crotch strap?

How about weights? The Zeagle website says there are three different optional weight systems. The only one I could find on the website is the Zip-Touch system which looks good. Your pictures seem to show something different, maybe the Ripcord version. Is there any reason to pick one over the other?

[skyward]

A little more searching and I found a really good video Of the Express Tech here:

Scuba.com Video: Zeagle Express Tech Buoyancy Compensator (BC) Video Review - Demonstration Videos

[skyward]

Are there any decent optons for stowing the SPG besides under the waist strap? This seemed to be the standard with the jacket BCs I used during training and rented on trips and was relatively easy with the clips used on most BCs. The Express Tech waist strap looks like it uses a Cam fastener so it wouldn't be as easy to access.


Doug

[herman]

You can add a Dring to the waist band (what I did) or if you prefer you can add a Dring (or 2) to the shoulder sections, either up high, down low or both. If you are renting regs, just take a couple of snap bolts and wire ties, tie the snap to the SPG, then you can clip the SPG off. You can cut the tie when you return it or if you forget it, big deal it's a couple of dollars. In the photo you can see 3, one on each shoulder and one on the waist band.

[skyward]

So after almost 4 weeks my LDS finally got my Express Tech in and I got it in the pool tonight. I liked the simplicity and light weight and it was quite comfortable in and out of the water with just a T-Shirt. I really liked not being surrounded by a jacket and getting squeezed.

The only issue I had was that the back of my head hit the regulator when I try to lift my head under water. I don't know if I had the shoulder straps too tight so the back plate ended up too high but it seemed like they had to be that tight. I didn't have a crotch strap and wonder if that might help keep it lower. The manual seems to be for the jacket BCs and doesn't really cover priper fit for the Express Tech. Any suggestions?

My wife tried it after me because she is considering getting one too. I lowered the tank as much as I could but she still had the same problem.

I'm 6' 1" & 190lbs, she is 5' 4" and 115 lbs.

Doug