Hi Mark, just a quick note, the difference between the Rec and Tec is more than just the harness. The Rec has 13L capacity, the Tec has 19L capacity (classic 16L). I'd say that is quite a substantial difference to consider.
Got a ZEN Deluxe a year ago and I love it. You just don't feel it on your back while in water. Amazing feeling. But due to the stupid company policy I had to find a local retailer - you can't just buy it from the company's website. And if you have standard harness and want to change to deluxe - you are on your own. Nobody will tell you how to set it right. But the quality is fantastic! Trim and buoyancyare so much easier with it. Only two constructional shortcomings -> 1. The weight bags fall out sometimes of the pockets and hang on quick release buckles (creating drag) until your buddy points it out. But not every dive. 2. If you use a 10liter tank, the upper tank strap becomes useless - it is on the valve hight then, so you fix it with only one strap. In summary: I am very happy to have it, despite of small weak points.
After diving Sidemount I cannot see going back to backmount for most of my diving. The Xdeep Sidemount rig is easy to use and is very customizable. Also the advantages to having the tanks ( single or both sides) on the side is great. The access to everything is easy to get to and fix during an emergency.
@@bloodymarvelous4790 the GS is a bit of a pain but depending on the boat and the conditions there are other ways in too. I used a role entry for the first time this summer. In some cases both tanks can be passed down or one tank can be sent down a ways on a line to be attached during the decent and then pulled up after exiting the water.
Wow Mark, you're such a salesman, X-Deep must have paid you well for this. Their weight pockets sucks and anybody can build a similar wing system for $200-$300. Knowing that your liteweight travel wing isn't even an X-Deep product makes this even more fun.
I dive the Zen Deluxe and it is every bit as comfortable as it claims. I bought it immediately after my OW class, and there was no quirky adjustment period. Not only did I not feel suffocated on the surface, but I am able to float upright. It doesn’t push me face down. Another huge advantage is having the inflator/deflator hose located in the center of the wing. It makes dumping air much easier, and it helps immensely when trying to clean and rinse the inside of your bladder.
I never got the complaint of being pushed down when you're at the surface. Just don't fully inflate it you muppet. All it needs to do is keep your head above the water. It's not a blimp.
I don't know if you mentioned this but several models (Zen, Ghost, Project) have the "comfortable V-shaped crotch strap". I don't know if any other manufacturer has this feature.
Hi Mark! I went from dive #15 with a hydros to a fully spec Apeks SS backplate with a 45lb bladder. Being “very” new to diving at that point & knowing that I wanted to go tech I am glad I did. Now @ +/- 100 dives logged most being on my backplate. I can genuinely say & ask “ Why do people not learn on backplates from their OW?”
@@darkburnstar9269 I think the simple answer is that PADI and other entry level training providers teach on standardised BCDs to simplify training materials. Plus there are some small imitations such as face up buoyancy on the surface, ease of inflator use (for releasing air) etc.
The XDeep gear is second to none in my opinion. But the Stealth Classic is not what is shown- the classic is a separate bladder and harness, allowing you to move the bladders position. Also the Stealth Tec vs Rec differ in bladder size/lift capacity- I believe you can get either of them with the single piece webbing harness or the QR harness. Top notch stuff though.
@@elmo319 It would be nice if we could test drive all the gear before buying it. Unfortunately we're not all called Mark from Simply Scuba or Mark from Scuba Diver Magazine. I'm sure that XDEEP has benefits over Apeks, and Apeks has benefits over XDEEP. Both brands have very different design philosophies. Apeks looks at what works from other companies' designs, and what doesn't, and then create their gear by taking all of the best designs and combining them into one. XDEEP is an innovator. They look at existing gear and try to find ways to improve upon it, with astonishing results. To give you an example: Nobody makes better bolt snaps than XDEEP. They took the standard bolt snap, and said: "What if we make this a little bigger, and square that one off, so it's easier to work with when you're wearing gloves, but let's keep things affordable." Nobody makes better spools than Apeks. They looked at how experienced technical divers set up their spools, and then did that from the factory. Not over-spun: Check. A swivel in the line: Check. Heat-shrink on the leader: Check.Aluminium spool: Check. Now let's add a whopping big price tag. Don't get me wrong. I love Apeks. My BP&W, regulators, dSMB, spools, wetnotes, mask, and fins are all from Apeks. But I admire XDEEP for their approach to innovation in diving. They're the revolution and evolution the sport needs.
Thanks for showing me how sad I am as I own a Xdeep deluxe wing and just bought a full Rec Sidemount setup. Dam need to stop spending money. Although my wing did not come fully assembled
Different strokes for different folks. A BP&W is easy to set up, is great for boat diving, and its modular nature means you can change it to suit your needs. Sidemount is compact, streamlined, great for shore entry and diving in overhead environments, but it's a pain to set up and master. Ideally you get yourself a BP&W with both a single backmount wing and a double backmount wing. And you get a sidemount rig. This is easily attainable if you've got money growing on the tree in your backyard.
No. The XDEEP backplates have holes for mounting to the wing, and no slots. So you need to be really careful to either pick a wing with slots, or make really sure the holes line up. Also, the XDEEP backplates have specialized mounting points for your crotch strap. A standard crotch strap will not fit. You will need an XDEEP crotch strap.
I really don't get the point of better airflow into the bladder. So your bladder has a smoother breathe? Also, how much air are you pumping into your bladder? You should be adjusting your buoyancy in small increments, not fill the entire bladder from empty. You only psht psht, and you're doing it from a much more restricted IP hose into a large diameter corrugated hose. An elbow is not going to restrict the airflow into your BCD. The air isn't going to get stuck in your corrugated hose. The pressure in the corrugated hose is the exact same as in the bladder. In fact, I think the centered corrugated hose on the XDEEP is the worst feature of the wing. It's right where your 1st stage is located. I'm also having my doubts on the efficacy of the skeletonized stainless steel backplate. Sure, you may pick the stainless steel one because it's tougher than the aluminium one, but most likely you're picking the stainless steel one because it reduces the amount of lead you need to add. By skeletonizing the plate, you're negating that benefit. I must admit the plate looks cool, and looking cool is one of the most important things when you're diving. Other than those two dubious design choices, the XDEEP Zen Standard is an amazing back plate & wing. One of the, if not THE, best on the market. And I'm not saying that because I have one, because I don't. I went the boring route and got an Apeks SS back plate with a WTX-D40 PSD wing.
Wouldn;t touch it with a bargepole, great for cave diving ,wrecks and twinsets, but if you want to spend your time on the surface fighting being pushed forward face into the water these are what you want.
Better options than what? Better than the XDEEP setups shown in the video? Then why would you want to wait for XDEEP if there are other options that are better? There are plenty of BP&W setups from different manufacturers, and sidemount rigs as well. Hollis, Apeks, Mares, Agir, Razor, Halcyon, and I'm probably forgetting tons of others. Each one will have features that others don't. You pick the one that appeals to you the most.
So you mean to tell me, that you all can't even dive over there at all???? Is there a diving police out there?? I'd be a rule breaker if I was out there!!!
