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

[JTinSD]

I am a newly certified OW diver. Since I had some buoyancy issues in training my first priority is to acquire my own BCD and practice a lot in relatively safe conditions; where I live that means shore dives with 7mm wetsuit and probably more than 30 lbs of weight. I'm really interested in the Express Tech because I get to travel a good bit and clearly it's perfect for that. But is it practical, even with the 35 lb bladder, for my local conditions? In training we used an integrated BCD plus weight belt but due to the crotch strap it sounds like a weight belt is not an option with the Express Tech. If I use the 30-lb ripcord system and some tank or other fixed weights will I be OK, or is this a bad idea? I just don't have enough experience to know, and the folks at my LDS are not familiar with the Express Tech.

I am also a California diver, 215lb wearing a 7mm over a 3/5mm hooded vest. I have a dozen or so dives on my ET with the 35lb bladder. I carry 20lb: 4lb on the tank valve, 6lb total in the tank cam band zip pockets and another 10lb divided between the two waist zip pockets. The ripcord pockets go in the same place as the waist zip pockets, IIRC. I don't know about 30lb all in the waist/front pockets, that seems like it would be out of balance to me, but I just don't know from experience.

Anyway, there is plenty of lift in the 35lb bladder for recreational diving. I have been to 130' with it several times and it works fine. I had a learning curve transitioning from a jacket BC, but not too bad.

I bought the ET to travel with and it's a real bonus that I can dive it here at home. In a couple of weeks I will see how it works in warm water.

EDITED TO ADD: My experience with the Express Tech is mostly from boats. The one shore dive I did with it, I was wishing for the extra padding of my SeaQuest jacket BC on the trek out.

I also should specify that my weighting is with a HP120 steel tank from boats, HP100 from shore.

 

[orenbvip]

LOVE IT! done 40 dives with it on my trip to indo. carry-on the plane and super comfy. going from a traditional jacket BC to this setup is like driving an automatic transmition car to a Manuel transmition. Much more control and ease.

I did as d rings and a crotch strap.

gets lots of attention on the boat. Worth every penny!!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

 

[Downing]

I am so jealous!

I've got one on order: ETD with D rings, crotch strap and ripcord weight system. Hopefully it will be here soon. Can't wait!

 

[Capt.Gene]

Backplates are in Soon come.

 

[Uber]

Thought I would wait to report until I dove with mine..... Took it to Curacao for a week at the beginning of this month and did about 13 dives. I got the std harness with a 34lb bladder (didn't ask for it - Zeagle just shipped a bigger one), the zip touch weight system and the pad kit. I didn't wait to find out if I needed a crotch strap I just made myself one with some 2" webbing a couple of tri-bars and a quick connect buckle - cost about $10.... comfy and secure. I only ended up using the back pad as it feels like it lifts the rig away from the back of my head by 1/2 to 1/3 of an inch which negated any head banging.....the shoulder pads just seemed to add bulk and no more comfort....if anything they were less comfortable and cut into my armpit a little.

All-in-all I have to say this is an awesome set-up - feels secure but give a sense of freedom... no need to repeat the superlatives, but I am very impressed..... I put a couple of Halcyon weight pockets on the back band for trim which worked like a charm. Getting in and out is a breeze... I also added a couple of tri bars to stop me over-tightening the shoulder straps.... made the world of difference....I think that could even mean I could remove the crotch strap as I think most of the riding-up issues are probably associated with over-tightening.

So I am glad that this thread persuaded me to take the plunge.... it is a truly versatile BC, solidly built and will likely be my companion for many years to come.....MUCH smaller and easier to travel with than my old Mares Icon. Next step is to get the octo inflator... with the ET and two hoses minimalism takes on a whole new meaning!

Thank you NetDoc and everyone else here for your opinions an reviews....I certainly feel like I didn't make an uninformed decision.

 

[herman]

.................................So I am glad that this thread persuaded me to take the plunge.... it is a truly versatile BC, solidly built and will likely be my companion for many years to come.....MUCH smaller and easier to travel with than my old Mares Icon. Next step is to get the octo inflator... with the ET and two hoses minimalism takes on a whole new meaning!

If you really want to dive it minimal, remove the bladder and see what real mimimum diving is like. One of the main reasons I got the ET was so I had that as a quick option when the scuba police are not watching.

 

[Capt.Gene]

Now shipping with 30# donut bladders!

Now available but shipping only with the 44# bladder. Equally awesome!

 

[Downing]

Now shipping with 30# donut bladders!

Woo hoo! Thanks for letting me know.

I can't wait to get this bad boy in the water. I like my Pro QD jacket, but I'm tired of lugging it around on dive trips. Too big, too bulky, too heavy. The ETD should suit my needs just fine.

 

[Downing]

Thanks to Capt. Gene, my ETD arrived yesterday safe and sound.

Dang, this thing is well made.

I was in the market for a travel BC and it came down to a choice between the ETD and the AquaLung Zuma. No offense to the Zuma users out there, but I gave the nod to the ETD and I'm glad I did. I liked the design of the Zuma and it was certainly very comfortable, but I couldn't get over how flimsy it looked and felt, especially the straps. I just can't risk breaking a BC when I'm on a dive trip 6,000 miles from home. No such concerns with the ETD. As with all things Zeagle, this BC is rugged and built to last.

As far as packing, I just shaved about a third to a half off the bulk and weight of my jacket BC. Cool!

Capt. Gene was kind enough to set it up for me with the weight pockets, D-rings and crotch strap installed. That was a pleasant surprise.

Can't wait to get this bad boy in the water!

 

[ohioscott1]

what do you think of the ranger by zeagle, looking at it as my first and last?