What You Need to Know About the Zeagle F8
Below is a round-up of the Zeagle F8’s best features.
Environmental Sealing
For diving in water temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), a regulator needs to be environmentally sealed to prevent ice formation in the first stage. Zeagle has used a simple dry-sealed spring chamber design on the F8 regulator for greater performance in cold waters. This type of seal system usually adds quite a bit of weight to the first stage but we’re surprised by how light the unit actually is.
Even if diving in cold water is not your thing, an environmental seal keeps salt, sand, and contaminants from getting into the internal mechanisms and means the first stage can continue functioning at peak performance.
Second Stage Diaphragm
Zeagle has improved the inhalation diaphragm in the second stage by using a super soft silicone molded over a low friction disk that increases the tear strength. This combined with the aerodynamic and pneumatically balanced poppet enhances airflow and improves response time when breathing, regardless of remaining tank pressure.
Super Alloy Valve Spring
Zeagle claims the proprietary alloy used on its valve springs is more than ten times the cost of stainless steel. However, as it gives greater tensile strength and improved resistance against corrosion, the benefits of using this material on the F8 outweigh the superior cost. This increased strength allows Zeagle to use fewer coils in the design for better and uninterrupted airflow.
Elliptical Exhaust Valve
The F8’s exhaust valve is oversized and has been specially shaped to allow for increased airflow out of the regulator. Exhalation should be as easy at 130 feet (40 m) as it was at 16 feet (5 m)
Seat-Saving Orifice
The breathing tube seat itself is composed of soft silicone that’s then molded over a metal insert. This provides the rigidness needed to provide an airtight seal but keeps the elasticity needed to prevent leakages.
But the real hero of the component is the seat-saving orifice. Even if Atomic Aquatics had brought nothing else to the table, this part was worth the partnership. Over time, seats harden and shrink and can become indented by the valve that continually presses against it. In the F8, the seat-saving orifice retracts when not in use. This prevents indentation and extends the breathing tube seat’s life.
Rapid Air Adjustment Knob
Located on the left of the second stage is the rapid air adjustment knob. One turn of the knob allows for an instant increase in air resistance. Although this should always be set for the lowest breathing effort (all the way counterclockwise) when diving, there are certain situations where increasing the resistance is a good idea, including entries through the surf and rough waters.
Venturi Control
Although they are becoming an ever more popular feature on regulators, it’s still worth mentioning the venturi control. The F8’s switch is in the style of a lever. It’s easy to use, even when wearing gloves, and prevents unexpected freeflow while on the surface. Above the water, the lever is set to the forward position, or pre-dive mode, and flipped back to dive mode when you’re ready to descend.
Purge Cover
Unlike many regulators that have a central area of the second stage that you press to purge, Zeagle has designed the F8 so that the whole cover is the purge button. Simply press anywhere on the front of the second stage to purge and clear.
Multiple Ports
Zeagle has looked after all types of divers by giving them a total of seven ports: five low pressure and two high pressure. Four of the LP ports are positioned to direct the attached hoses out to the sides, while the fifth faces directly towards the diver for tech and sidemount applications. What does having multiple ports mean? They give you the option of mounting different accessories and gauges in a variety of different configurations.
Color Kits
One of the cool features of the Zeagle F8 is the easy-to-install color kits. These have to be purchased separately but are a great way to add some fun to your regulator and match it to the rest of your dive gear. Each kit comes with a thermoplastic rubber exhaust tee, a silicone mouthpiece, nylon adjustment knob, and purge cover. Color kits are available in aqua, blue, purple, red, and pink.
Zeagle After Sales and Servicing Support
Zeagle offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner on all its regulators which guarantees against defects in the workmanship and materials. Basically, the warranty lasts a lifetime but only for the person who made the original purchase. If you sell your Zeagle to a buddy or purchased it second-hand, the warranty is invalid.
To validate the warranty, the registration card needs to be filled out and returned to Zeagle or you need to register online within 30 days of purchase. If there’s a defect with the regulator during the warranty period, customers can have it repaired or replaced free-of-charge. Obviously the warranty doesn’t cover damage caused due to user error or maintenance by an unauthorized dealer.
It’s important to note that the F8’s lifetime warranty doesn’t include filters, hoses, O-rings, mouthpieces, or diaphragms. These are only covered for two years from the date of purchase.
Ongoing Maintenance?
Like all regulators, the F8 features parts that could corrode with continued exposure to saltwater. Always rinse your reg in freshwater—obviously after replacing the dust cap! Zeagle has done its best to eliminate the risk of corrosion but the little things you do will help prolong the life of your regulator.
Zeagle also recommends getting your F8 serviced annually. This is also a requirement to ensure your reg remains in warranty. Once a year, within 30 days of the purchase date anniversary, your F8 needs to be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer. You can use the company’s dealer search page to find your nearest authorized dealer.
The Zeagle F8 full manual can be found here.
Buy the Zeagle F8 If:
Zeagle may not be the first brand you think of when buying a regulator. However, the F8 is easily comparable to high-end models produced by more well-known manufacturers, such as the Oceanic Zeo, ScubaPro MK25, or the Hollis 200LX. It’s a sleek-looking, tough, and very reliable set of regs that performs well in all waters and at all depths. The F8 is also inexpensive to service and is available with yoke or DIN for the same price.
Whether you’re looking to purchase your first regulator or are a seasoned pro wanting an upgrade, you could do much worse than investing in the Zeagle F8. This is a great piece of kit that could last you a lifetime.
Specs & Features
| Valve | Yoke or DIN |
|---|---|
| First stage | Balanced diaphragm |
| Second stage | Pneumatically balanced downstream demand valve |
| Ports | Two high-pressure; five low-pressure |
| Weight | 41.6 oz/1.2 kg |
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