Help please...Zeagle, Mares, or Genesis?

[ScubaRambo]

I have a set-up figured out for my cold-water diving here in San Luis and up along the coast to Monterey. So far I've got the Octo, Reg, and Gauges figured out, but I can't decide on the BC (too many options...so hard...)
So I have decided to ask SB's opinion:
The Mares Pegasus
Genesis Omni
or Zeagle Scout?

The Mares cons are that it is more expensive, and I have heard (though I don't know how reputable the source was) that Mares can be somewhat shoddy quality and break down quicker
The Zeagle is a lot smaller, so I wouldn't be able to get all of my weight integrated (7mm wetsuit pretty standard here)
And the Omni I haven't heard too much in the con section about...

Thanks for any and all help you can give!

 

[heavyjeffd]

Why not a Zeagle Ranger or Brigade (from Scubatoys)?

I'm a huge ran of my Ranger, love it.

 

[parzdiver]

All three of the BC's you have on your list are lightweight "travel" BC's. If you are diving cold water and need lots of lead, you'd be better suited moving to something in the manufacturers standard line. The Zeagle Ranger is great, but even the Stiletto has good integrated weight capacity and improved lift. The Scout only has 24lbs of lift, if you have a steel-100 tank and 20lbs of weight on the BC, a full bladder won't be able to keep it afloat. I think you'll see similar with the other travel BC's.

 

[ScubaRambo]

Well I'm fairly on the lanky (tall and skinny side), but I see your point about the Zeagle. The Mares Pegasus actually offers over 40 pounds of lift (and I only use about 20 lbs of weights). I'm no expert, but shouldn't 40someodd pounds of lift be enough for a single tank dive, even with 25 lbs of weight?

 

[heavyjeffd]

Keep in mind your tank will be negative when you start as well.

 

[diver 85]

I've been diving the Scout for a little over 2 years---love it......

 

[NvScubaSteve]

I agree that you may want to consider a BC that is better suited for the north coast diving you will be doing. I also dive the north coast from Monterey to Ft. Bragg. I dive a Zeagle Ranger and believe it is a top notch product. Not sure if you can find a LDS or dive buddy with equipment similar for you to try before you buy but you may want to try that before committing to purchasing a travel style BC. INHO I think you would be very happy with the Zeagle products and I can personally recommend the Ranger.

Good luck.

Steve

 

[ScubaRambo]

The only problem I have with the Ranger at the moment is affordability! Broke and recently out of college is not conducive to being able to afford proper, awesome equipment. The Ranger alone is almost more than the entire package deal I've got in mind (with upgraded Reg...muy importante to me).
Do you guys think that 44lbs of lift wouldn't be enough for a 155lb guy, 22lbs of weight, a buoyant wetsuit, and yes, a negatively buoyant tank?
I am also acknowledging that the Scout is probably not going to be my best bet...far too little lift. But double that with the Pegasus...?

 

[heavyjeffd]

22lbs of weight at 155lbs?

In a 7mm I am 243lbs and only use 8lbs. I'm surprised you need that much weight?

 

[heavyjeffd]

And, I would save your dollars and get the right BC for the job rather than try and hurry it up by a few weeks just to get something now.