I'm a believer! - Zeagle Stiletto

[ScottCocoaBeach]

I have been reading messages on back inflate bc's for some time now and had narrowed my choices down to the Scubapro Knighthawk or Zeagle Stiletto.

I finally had a chance to go have a pool session at a dive shop with the Zeagle.

First, for those who say a back inflate bc throws you on your face, I have to say that is nonsense. With the BC fully inflated I would say the BC gently begins to move you towards a horizontal position - exactly what you want when you are diving. In no way did the BC "push" me forward. I inflated it all the way until air came out the lower dump valve. All I had to do was lean back and float on my back. It was so much more comfortable on the surface than my jacket BC I couldn't believe it. No more dreaded squeeze and it's much more comfortable to be on your back then bobbing up and down vertically as you do in a jacket bc.

Underwater the BC was a pleasure. Any attitude I wanted was perfect, head down, sideways, on my back. The BC was great any way I tried it.

My main concerns were:

Only the pull dump/inflator and one lower dump valve, versus lower right and extra shoulder on the Knighthawk. The pull dump is a little slow, but works fine, and you can always just dump from the end of the hose, no problem there. The lower valve worked fine, I would prefer it on the right, but there are probably those who prefer it on the left. I don't think it matters too much. It took me a few tries to get used to the location of the lower dump valve, but now I can go right to it.

Trim - the dive shop set up the tank a little lower than what I used with my jacket BC and we put 2lbs in each of the rear trim pockets. I went with 4 lbs in each of the front pockets wearing a 3mm full wetsuit. Trim was perfect and horizontal position under water was great.

Soft back versus a hard plastic back. No concerns there, extremely comfortable. I got out of the pool and walked around some just to check the comfort. The lumbar pad works great. Comfort out of the water was great. In the water you hardly know you have a BC on.

Pockets work just as I would want. Left one holds my apollo folding snorkle - just the right size. The right one will hold my backup flashlight and the D ring by that pocket will take the lanyard for the light.

Weight system - I like that you can put just about any size/shape weight in there. Sometimes on a dive boat you are stuck with some pretty oddly shaped weights. Hard or soft weights are no problem. Good dump system and no $70 pockets to replace should you ever need to dump in an emergency. No big deal to re-string and I can't see any reason I should ever need to anyway unless I do have an emergency in which case restringing the BC will be the least of my concerns.

Carry/positioning strap. I had read in an article that there was one, but the first time I looked at it in the store I didn't see it. Turns out it was tucked in. I like this a lot for consistent tank positioning. I went ahead and adjusted this so next time out I will have the same settings as my trial dive as it seemed about perfect.

Overall I am just thrilled with this BC. Great warranty should I ever need it. Super comfortable, good travel weight, durable, low drag, and great performance.

I was really worrying about making the right decision. I am glad I took the time to try it out in the pool. I spent a little more buying it from my local dive shop. But they were great about letting me try it out in their pool and taking as much time as I needed. They covered all the features of the BC and really took a lot of time going over it. They had great things to say about Zeagle and their warranty. The shop is Hatts in Melbourne, FL.

I will also thank Scott Zeagle for taking time with me on the phone to answer some questions about the BC a few weeks ago. It's great to have a company that makes themselves so available on this board and otherwise.

There are not a lot of opinions on this BC on the board because it is so new, and there seem to be a couple from people who may not have had it set up right. I would say to anyone considering this BC it is an excellent choice and you won't be dissapointed.

Thanks Zeagle for making this product! I am sure I will be a customer for a long time.

I am diving it for real Sunday and will add any additional comments when I return.

[Puck]

You sold me. Looks like I've got some shopping to do (once I pay off my Key Lago trip).

[RoadWarrior]

[QUOTE=ScottCocoaBeach]I have been reading messages on back inflate bc's for some time now and had narrowed my choices down to the Scubapro Knighthawk or Zeagle Stiletto.


Simalarities abound................

I took delivery on my Stiletto about three weeks ago. I have 1 pool dive on it. I'll dive it in Panama City the 20th, 21st & 22nd. In my search for a BC I narrowed the choices to the Knighthawk or the Stiletto. I think the Khawk is a great BC but in the end, I purchased the Stiletto from ScubaToys. So far I like everything about it. Perfect Fit. Amazing flexibility. High quality. Top notch product!

BTW: Didn't have a telephone conversation with Scott Zeagle.

[ScottCocoaBeach]

I had the opportunity to dive my new Stiletto yesterday. All my previous comments held true.

I did have one major dissapointment however. Floating on the surface was so comfortable I was really disappointed when the dive boat came over and I had to get back in the boat

This BC is so much better than my jacket I really can't believe it, especially at the surface where some dive shop owners said I wouldn't like it. One shop that sold the knighthawk and others from Scubapro and Seaquest spent quite a bit of time trying to talk me out of a back inflate bc saying that about 50% of them come back to the shop, of course he didn't carry Zeagles, the dealers that have them rave about them and now I know why. I'm going to sell off my old bc as it has been permanently replaced by the Zeagle!

[MichaelBaranows]

I got my stiletto last friday and made three dives on Saturday and it is great and comfortable.

[ScubaSarus]

Zeagle are nice.

Overinflated back infaltion BC usually put you on you face. Use proper weighting.

[crpntr133]

Glad to hear about another back inflate lover. I to was in the same boat as you and went with the Zeagle Brigade and love it. Everyone that looks at the weight ditching systems says about the same thing as you. One thing that I really liked about it was that even if you did ditch your weight you can still dive and be weight integrated, you just don't have the yellow weight bags.

I have tried to do the face plant and can't. I even took out all the trim weights, nothing. I am wondering if it is caused by the bigger bladders.

[Hoosier]

I would like to try your Zeagle Brigade from Scubatoys.... It looked a solid BC.
Could I check it out?:11ztongue

Glad to hear about another back inflate lover. I to was in the same boat as you and went with the Zeagle Brigade and love it. Everyone that looks at the weight ditching systems says about the same thing as you. One thing that I really liked about it was that even if you did ditch your weight you can still dive and be weight integrated, you just don't have the yellow weight bags.

I have tried to do the face plant and can't. I even took out all the trim weights, nothing. I am wondering if it is caused by the bigger bladders.

[uberspeed]

I just ordered the Brigade and will do a couple of dives this Saturday. I'll be sure to report back. Ranger harness with a smaller bladder (the one from the Escape with 34-35lbs of lift) sounds like a winner to me.

[Chad Carney]

Thanks for your comments folks, it's music to our ears!

The Stiletto is making quite a big splash!

Chad

Zeagle FL Rep.