RikRaeder:
I've been looking at these two for a BCD I can travel with and hopefully use when I return to CA. Any comparative input or suggestions? I'd love to support Aeris since I'm from O-town myself, but I kind of like that Zeagle warranty and reputation. Trying them first isn't an option. All they seem to sell here is Tusa.
I'm another Stilleto user. One thing I liked about it was a generous amont of space for weight. I dive dry in CO and NM, so I need a BC that could travel, but I also use 22lbs-28lbs of weight when diving dry, and many travel BC's don't handle that much weight without putting a lot at the tank if at all. I've found for trim I don't want or need a lot of weight at the tank for good trim, and I can load 10lbs in each front pocket, maybe more, but I've not tried. The back pockets at the tank can easily hold an additional 10lbs. I use hard lead, and I'm betting with soft weight it would hold more.
I sold my Ranger when I came across a too good to be true price on a new Stilleto from a buddy who purchased an out of business DiveShop in Key west. I've dove it now several times, and it dives just like the ranger with a smaller profile. It is every bit as study as the Ranger even if the shoulder straps are a bit narrower.
Another huge selling point of the Stilleto is the wide range of fit built into each size.
Some may not like the rip-cord system, but if you do have to dump weights it will likely be at the surface, and you can do it fast with one pull of the very easy to locate ripcord. A benifit of this system is that you only dump the weight, not some expensive pouch, so you can be ready to dive it again without finding a brand specific and expensive set of weight pouches which could prove impossible on a live aboard or abroad.
I also like the fact it has two tank bands. Many have only one, and while that is generally time tested, if it does come loose for any reason, your tank is going to go someplace undesirable. :11doh:
It's one nice BC, and I would highly recommend any Zeagle product. The Stilleto is designed from the ground up to be a rugged travel BC with a lot of the features of the Ranger LTD.
What can I say, the design of these Zeagles is top quality, and time tested.