Zeagle Express Tech opinions please

[UFOrb]

Ok, I'm starting this tread up again because my ET arrived today.

I'm a bit p*ssed cos the BC actually comes a 44lb wing, even though the website said 24lb (also confirmed by the store when I rang). I'm not sure what to do now. From the advice I've been given on SB in this thread and from the store, 24lb should be all I need for single alu tank warm water dives and even for cooler water with 7mm wetsuit & steel tank (which I may do occasionally). My wife's also going to use it, who's a lot smaller than me. I rang the store and now they say it comes with the 44 wing as standard and you cant get one with a 24lb wing

As we're going to be travelling with it I'd like as small & light a possible. Is the 44lb wing physically much bigger & heavier than the 24lb (I'm assuming almost twice as big)? Is it going to be too big for our needs? Should I send this back and try to source one with a 24lb wing?

Cheers.

 

[Jason]

Ok, I'm starting this tread up again because my ET arrived today.

I'm a bit p*ssed cos the BC actually comes a 44lb wing, even though the website said 24lb (also confirmed by the store when I rang). I'm not sure what to do now. From the advice I've been given on SB in this thread and from the store, 24lb should be all I need for single alu tank warm water dives and even for cooler water with 7mm wetsuit & steel tank (which I may do occasionally). My wife's also going to use it, who's a lot smaller than me. I rang the store and now they say it comes with the 44 wing as standard and you cant get one with a 24lb wing

As we're going to be travelling with it I'd like as small & light a possible. Is the 44lb wing physically much bigger & heavier than the 24lb (I'm assuming almost twice as big)? Is it going to be too big for our needs? Should I send this back and try to source one with a 24lb wing?

Cheers.

Ouch. Really? 44lb wing is WAY too big for warm water diving (for most people/situations). Zeagle's own website says that it's a 24lb wing.

Express Tech Deluxe

As does Leisurepro...

Zeagle Express Tech Deluxe BCD

I think something went haywire with your order or the store that you used.

 

[Jason]

<mistaken post>

 

[UFOrb]

I think something went haywire with your order or the store that you used.

I've called a couple of stores and they've both said 44lb is standard, even though both websites said it come with a 24lb wing. I guess they've copied that straight from Zeagle website. I've noted the store I bought it from have now changed their website (I took a screenshot of the original text just in case I need to send it back and they get awkward about it).

I'm guessing 44lb being standard in UK is due to assumptions about diving in colder water with a dry suit??

 

[claymore]

That is false Advertising.

There must be a reason Zeagle is shipping with the 44# wing, it is a more expensive wing to produce and really to large for what the ET was originally ment for.. It maybe is having trouble with getting the 24# wing or they are in in the process of a design change.

A better option would be the 32# or 36# wing, I can not remember which it is. Ask the store you get the ET at if you can trade wings, the 44# for a 24# or 32# at their cost and email or fax a copy of the original sale brochure.

The 44# wing is really way to big for easy warm water diving. I have one and getting it to dump completely can be difficult at times. It tends to trap air because it is so large and there is a polyethylene inner liner the can trap small amounts of air.

 

[The Chairman]

I've called a couple of stores and they've both said 44lb is standard, even though both websites said it come with a 24lb wing.

When I got mine from Zeagle, it was with the larger wing since I only dive steel tanks. My student rigs all use the 24 lb wing. But heck, I live in the keys. They are often diving in their swimsuits with an AL80.

FWIW, I have swum my kit up with no air in my BC. I believe in a balanced kit.

 

[UFOrb]

The 44# wing is really way to big for easy warm water diving. I have one and getting it to dump completely can be difficult at times. It tends to trap air because it is so large and there is a polyethylene inner liner the can trap small amounts of air.

I was thinking that might be an issue with that size wing. It really does look big! My wife said she looked like a manta ray when she tried it on Shame cos one of the selling points was that we could both use it as we alternate diving due to having kids.

I've contacted the store and they've said they can only get the 44# wing. They have said they'll collect it free of charge if I decide to return it, so whilst annoying at least they were ok about it and apologised for the wrong info. I've also emailed Zeagle to see if they know where I can get one with a 24# wing in U.K. / Europe.

I'm now looking at the SP Litehawk as a possible alternative but obviously my wife and I won't both be able to use it. Not as robust and adaptable but cheaper and has 29lb lift. Another, more expensive option could be a Hollis LTS.

 

[UFOrb]

When I got mine from Zeagle, it was with the larger wing since I only dive steel tanks.

Any taco effect?

FWIW, I have swum my kit up with no air in my BC. I believe in a balanced kit.

Nice

 

[UFOrb]

They are often diving in their swimsuits with an AL80.

Yep, sounds good to me

 

[The Chairman]

Any taco effect?

They use bungies to keep the wing down, like a lot of the side mount harnesses. In fact, I turned my first ET into a sidemount harness by flipping the wing and resewing the tabs on the other side. It worked well until commercially viable units came out.

Yep, sounds good to me

It's my tropical prison.