A Versatile BCD to Match Any Dive
The latest BCD from Zeagle with two integrated weight options and the personal fit system (PFS) is impressive. For some, it may have the ability to eliminate all other BCDs from your diving closet.
The Zeagle Furry comes in one of 2 sizes Regular or Large. The Regular model is adjustable from sizes XS-L and L-2XL in the Large Model. After the BCD size is adjusted, you can fine-tune adjustments through the shoulder, chest, and cumberbund/waist straps.
While it’s not designed for women, the adjustability makes it more unisex than many other options.
Comfort and versatility is pretty refined with this BCD design. Customization is also available to go with its adjustability.
In the Fury you can use the Patented ripcord System or traditional Quick-Lock Release Pockets. Read more about that below.
Made of 1050 denier ballistic nylon, it is durable enough for the professional/technical diver. The Fury also can be configured for one or two tanks.
It has four D-Rings, and the top two shoulder D-Rings are adjustable. In the Fury, Zeagle also eliminated the rigid back plate of the Ranger model, making it a little more travel-friendly and to take on a diving holiday. That’s not to say it should be considered a BCD for traveling. But neither has it been a problem for us packing for flights to warmer destinations either.
Adjustable PLUS Zeagle’s Personal Fit System
Let’s explore the advantage of this BCD’s adjustability. If you are both a warm & cold water diver, the biggest problem is the fit of your BCD. A BCD that comfortably fits over a dry suit is just too big when you are diving in the warm waters of the Caribbean in just a rash guard and shorts.
The Zeagle Fury only comes in two sizes because each size adjusts. The Regular Model (XS-L) fits sizes extra small to large (XS-L), and the Large Model (L-2XL) fits large to 2 extra-large.
No more need for multiple BCDs based on the waters you’re diving.
The adjustments, when changing sizes, take place at the shoulders and the waist. You move sizes (XS-2XL) at the shoulders depending on the model by pulling a strap until the right size is indicated.
At the waist, you create the circumference based on what you need. Doing this is easy and can be quickly done on a RIB while bobbing up and down before diving.
These extra adjustment points allow you to fine-tune the fit after you have selected the correct size. That’s not to say that you won’t have to try on your Fury with the particular suit you have on and take it off again to adjust accordingly. But once you know the adjustments for each suit thickness, you can log the corresponding sizing for the next dive.
The OPV or air dump puller is also adjustable, meaning it won’t dangle when the BCD is smaller and get in the way.
Weight Release System with Options
When investigating new scuba gear, you should first look at the safety features. One important safety feature of a BCD is the weight release system. The weight release system is the system that allows you to dump your weight on an emergency assent. While you may never use it, when you do, it may save your life.
Zeagle created a patented weight release system – the Ripcord. We like this design because it is intuitive. Like a ripcord on a parachute, one pull dumps both weights from the weight pockets on your hips.
Being innovative often means being different. If you love your Zeagle, the Ripcord system might be ideal for you. However, you should include this in a pre-dive safety check if diving with a new buddy. Not an awful tradeoff.
One criticism of the Zeagle’s Ranger by scuba instructors is the ripcord system. Not everybody likes the ripcord release solution–especially some dive instructors who have to demonstrate emergency assent.
For a dive professional (instructor/dive master), the QLR system makes demonstrating skills exponentially easier.
Zeagle heard the critique and addressed it in the Fury. The Fury has both the ripcord system and the traditional Quick-Lock Release (QLR) pockets.
One Tank, Two Tanks, No Problem
Deep diving, cave diving, and other technical diving often require using two tanks at once.
A two-tank setup can increase the safety of a dive, lengthen bottom time, or both. However, not all BCDs accommodate both single and two-tank configurations. The Zeagle Ranger does, which is one of the reasons it is so popular; the ability to grow with the skills of a technical diver. The Zeagle Fury does as well, increasing the functionality of both BCDs.
Not all divers are interested in technical diving because it does require additional training and certifications.
Other Features
The Fury has some other important features that set it apart from other technical BCDs.
The Fury only weighs 7-9lbs (depending on the pocket system you choose), making it an acceptable weight for a travel BCD. In addition, the Zeagle Ranger has a ridged back plate, whereas the Fury does not. The Fury folds easily into a travel bag.
Remember, the Fury is not designed to be a travel BCD like the Cressi Travelite.
Instead, the Fury is a full-sized BCD with all the bells and whistles.
For women, the Fury is still heavier than the Zeagle Zena (6.2 lbs), but if you are traveling to do technical/cold water diving, the Zena would not be the best BCD choice, regardless.
The Fury has two zippered pockets and four black stainless D-Rings. Like the Ranger, the top two shoulder D-Rings are adjustable.
Adjustable shoulder D-Rings are brilliant as they allow you to position your gear exactly where you want, improving the fit and function of your diving setup. We’ve noticed that our female colleagues find the straps also make this BCD a more unisex experience.
Price & Quality
The Zeagle brand is synonymous with a quality product. It is part of why their Ranger BCD is so popular among dive professionals.
Keep in mind, while not as expensive as the Ranger, this is a mid-range priced BCD. Unless you are interested in diving a lot of different destinations there may be a better BCD for a new diver, like the Cressi Start.
The Fury lives up to the Zeagle expectations and is an excellent high-end BCD. It costs slightly less (about $100) than the Ranger. Ironically, this makes the Fury an even better value.
The ability to choose the pocket style (Ripcord vs. QLR) in the Fury, combined with the ability to adjust the size, makes the Fury a better bang for the buck.
Summary
The Fury is designed for a diver looking for a versatile and, potentially, more technical setup. It is rugged and will handle daily wear in all types of environments.
As a modular and fully adjustable buoyancy compensator, it’s ideal for diving with different sized (thickness) suits. That makes it comfortable for warm water diving with a rash guard as well as cold water diving with a thick, semi-dry wetsuit.
For the technical diver, the Fury’s ability to carry two tanks simultaneously allows for more bottom time, safety, or both. In addition, the two (2) large pockets are great for storing extra gear, and the adjustable D-rings keep hanging equipment in place.
For the dive professional, the ability to choose QLR pockets eliminates the need for a second teaching BCD.
The adjustable feature of the Fury is by far its most significant selling point. After purchasing this BCD, you should, if you want, be able to eliminate other BCDs in your scuba closet. This factor makes it an excellent value for the professional/technical diver.
Specs & Features
| High Performance BCD Fury | |
| Adjustable | Yes (XS-Large) ; Yes (Large-2XL) |
| Adjustable Chest strap | Yes |
| Adjustment Points | Shoulder, Chest, & Waist |
| Integrated Weights | Ripcord or Quick Lock Release (QLR) Pockets |
| Inflation | Rear Inflate |
| Rear Weight System | 16lbs/7.3kg |
| Lift Capacity | 26 lbs/11.8 kg / 33lbs/15kg |
| Clips/D-Rings – Black Stainless | 4-2 on the shoulders(adjustable)/2 on the vest |
| Trim Tabs | 2 |