ScubaLab: Regulators - Zeagle Flathead 7/Z & Flathead LT/Z
Specifications
| Weight | 2 lbs., 10 oz. |
| 1st Stage | Balanced Diaphragm |
| Ports | 2HP, 5LP |
| 2nd Stage | Pneumatically Balanced |
| Adjustments | Dive/Predive Switch, Breathing Resistance Knob |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| MSRP | Flathead 7/Z, $699; Flathead LT/Z, $649 |
| www.zeagle.com |
Test Stats
| Breathing-Simulator Performance | Very Good to Excellent |
| Real-World Performance | Very Good to Excellent |
The Flathead 7 is a sharp-looking black matte first stage. It’s environmentally sealed, and its cut-cornered design produces more surface area for better heat transfer, improving cold-water performance. The Z second stage is full size yet lightweight. It comes with user adjustments and an attractive chrome purge cover. It connects to the Flathead 7 with a Miflex braided hose that’s lighter and more flexible than a standard rubber hose. The Flathead LT is not environmentally sealed; otherwise, the two regs are identical in design, construction and performance.
Performance:
Because someone fiddled with the internal adjustments before leaving the factory, these regs free-flowed so badly on the ANSTI machine that they couldn’t be tested. But breathing-machine technicians, reg experts all, were able to bring them back into adjustment to avoid disqualification. Good thing too, because once adjusted properly, they performed admirably, turning in excellent work of breathing at the RMV/depth test level that most closely represents recreational diving, and very good work of breathing when pushed to extremes. These regs feel good in the water, and they delivered some of the driest, smoothest breathing in all swimming positions. The dive/predive lever is easy to find and operate, and the breathing-resistance knob provides about two rotations of adjustment when facing a current or venturing into deeper depths. The purge is also responsive. The mouthpiece has long bite tabs that female divers didn’t like; otherwise it was rated above average in comfort.
Bottom Line:
These are solid regs that deliver excellent breathing performance both when diving within recreational depths and when pushed to extremes.
| July 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links |
|---|
| Over $500 |
| --- |
| Apeks Flight| Cressi Ellipse MC9 Balanced |
| Oceanic Delta 4.2 & Neo| SCUBAPRO MK25/S600 |
| Zeagle Flathead 7/Z & Flathead LT/Z| |
| Under $500 |
| --- |
| Agua Lung Titan| Cressi MC5 Steel |
| Sherwood Brut| Subgear Aruba |
| Subgear Bonaire & Cayman| |
Specifications
||| |---|---|
|Weight|2 lbs., 10 oz.| |1st Stage| Balanced Diaphragm| |Ports| 2HP, 5LP| |2nd Stage| Pneumatically Balanced| |Adjustments| Dive/Predive Switch, Breathing Resistance Knob| |Warranty| Limited Lifetime| |MSRP| Flathead 7/Z, $699; Flathead LT/Z, $649| |www.zeagle.com|Test Stats
||| |---|---|
|Breathing-Simulator Performance|Very Good to Excellent| |Real-World Performance| Very Good to Excellent|The Flathead 7 is a sharp-looking black matte first stage. It’s environmentally sealed, and its cut-cornered design produces more surface area for better heat transfer, improving cold-water performance. The Z second stage is full size yet lightweight. It comes with user adjustments and an attractive chrome purge cover. It connects to the Flathead 7 with a Miflex braided hose that’s lighter and more flexible than a standard rubber hose. The Flathead LT is not environmentally sealed; otherwise, the two regs are identical in design, construction and performance.
Performance:
Because someone fiddled with the internal adjustments before leaving the factory, these regs free-flowed so badly on the ANSTI machine that they couldn’t be tested. But breathing-machine technicians, reg experts all, were able to bring them back into adjustment to avoid disqualification. Good thing too, because once adjusted properly, they performed admirably, turning in excellent work of breathing at the RMV/depth test level that most closely represents recreational diving, and very good work of breathing when pushed to extremes. These regs feel good in the water, and they delivered some of the driest, smoothest breathing in all swimming positions. The dive/predive lever is easy to find and operate, and the breathing-resistance knob provides about two rotations of adjustment when facing a current or venturing into deeper depths. The purge is also responsive. The mouthpiece has long bite tabs that female divers didn’t like; otherwise it was rated above average in comfort.
Bottom Line:
These are solid regs that deliver excellent breathing performance both when diving within recreational depths and when pushed to extremes.
|July 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links| |---| |Over $500| |---| |Apeks Flight| Cressi Ellipse MC9 Balanced| |Oceanic Delta 4.2 & Neo| SCUBAPRO MK25/S600| |Zeagle Flathead 7/Z & Flathead LT/Z| | |Under $500| |---| |Agua Lung Titan| Cressi MC5 Steel| |Sherwood Brut| Subgear Aruba| |Subgear Bonaire & Cayman| |
