2 Questions, Zeagle Ranger

[FrankPro1]

My ripcord is coming loose on the far right pocket and on my last dive caused my right side weights to drop during my exit "Heavy surge/rocky shore entry". I referenced the rip cord re-threading video online and even though there is plenty of "ripcord" slack tucked up inside the pocket, the ripcord eventually pulls loose. This leaves the last loop unwoven. My buddy has a newer Ranger that has a small metal piece on the end of his ripcord. This piece is not shown on the ripcord instructional video which kind of puzzles me. Any tips or info on what I can do to prevent this would be much help.

Secondly I've been thinking on mounting a Backplate on the Ranger to put more trim weight over my lungs, increase stabilization and allow me to install a pair of small doubles when I'm boat diving. I also want to be able to use single tanks with this setup as well. The backplate would be a Zeagle Brand Steel plate. I'm a completely clueless to the process of doing the conversion and the hardware I'd need. Tips, tricks, pro's/con's would be much appreciated.

BCD in question: Mid 90's Zeagle Ranger, Only 3 salt water dives on it

 

[ScottZeagle]

Frank -

Have your local dealer take a look at it and see if they can identify a problem....or send it in to us and we will look at it. There is no good reason why your ripcord should work its way loose if it is being used properly!!

As for your buddies BC with a metal piece on the end - I have no clue! The only piece of metal that should be on the ripcord is a swedge that keeps the ripcord from pulling all the way out if you ditch your weights - but it should be in the channel on the back section of the vest, and not on the ripcord end you are talking about!

Finally, to dive doubles with a Ranger BC, there are a couple of ways that you can do it, which are shown here: Mounting Twin Tanks - Zeagle Dive Systems

Thanks,

Scott

 

[FrankPro1]

Thanks Scott. I'll talk with my local shop and see if they can identify the problem. I feel the metal part inside the channel of my BCD, but as far as my buddies questionable metal peice I'm unsure. I will take a photo of it when I see him next.

Also if it matters, I am not using the official Zeagle weight pouch holders. I just put two four pound weights inside plastic freezer bags within each of the weight areas. "8lbs on each side"

 

[ScottZeagle]

It really shouldn't matter if you are using the weight pouches or not...it still should not loosen up!!

Let me know if you need us to take a look at it!

Scott

 

[FrankPro1]

It really shouldn't matter if you are using the weight pouches or not...it still should not loosen up!!

Let me know if you need us to take a look at it!

Scott

Good to know, I'll see what my local shop has to say and if all else fails I will ship it out to you guy's.

Why is the ripcord on a Ranger RED?

All will become clear to you when you answer that question.

RED? What's that?

 

[Frogman82]

Secondly I've been thinking on mounting a Backplate on the Ranger to put more trim weight over my lungs, increase stabilization and allow me to install a pair of small doubles when I'm boat diving. I also want to be able to use single tanks with this setup as well. The backplate would be a Zeagle Brand Steel plate. I'm a completely clueless to the process of doing the conversion and the hardware I'd need. Tips, tricks, pro's/con's would be much appreciated.

I'd also like to know if there is any good way to mount a backplate to the ranger for use with single tanks. I have the zeagle SS backplate and would like to combine it with the ranger so I can add a couple of pounds without having to add more to the weight pockets. Must be someone who has done this

 

[ScottZeagle]

I'd also like to know if there is any good way to mount a backplate to the ranger for use with single tanks. I have the zeagle SS backplate and would like to combine it with the ranger so I can add a couple of pounds without having to add more to the weight pockets. Must be someone who has done this

The BC isn't really designed for adding a stainless steel backplate for single tank diving. I'm sure it could be done, and maybe a few people have done it, but I cannon imagine that it is comfortable....but that's just my opinion.

Have you considered taking the bladder off of your Ranger BC and mounting it to your backplate to make a BP/W setup?

 

[Frogman82]

The BC isn't really designed for adding a stainless steel backplate for single tank diving. I'm sure it could be done, and maybe a few people have done it, but I cannon imagine that it is comfortable....but that's just my opinion.

Have you considered taking the bladder off of your Ranger BC and mounting it to your backplate to make a BP/W setup?

Yes, I have looked into the BP/W option - but I like my ranger so much that I thought it was possible to modify it somehow. How would it be more comfy to use the backplate with doubles vs single tanks? You still have a steel plate between your back and the BC..
Any ideas to how I can add more weight to the system without overloading the weight pouches? I have a pony tank and a cannister light mounted on each side of the tank, so I don't know if there is room for the trim pockets.

 

[ScottZeagle]

The trim weight pouches would be the best way, or you could add the 8050S trim pouch that you can mount on the top tank band, which will hold 5lbs.

 

[scubafanatic]

The BC isn't really designed for adding a stainless steel backplate for single tank diving. I'm sure it could be done, and maybe a few people have done it, but I cannon imagine that it is comfortable....but that's just my opinion.

Have you considered taking the bladder off of your Ranger BC and mounting it to your backplate to make a BP/W setup?

....I'm just checking out my own Ranger and I see no reason why a BP couldn't easily be added to it......you could mount it underneath the soft back-pad...and use an STA to hold the plate to the BC.......although I haven't done that particular 'mod' to my Ranger...I HAVE done that exact same 'mod' to my other 3 BC 'systems' (Deepoutdoors harness/DSS Kydex plate/Oxycheq Vertex Extreme wing/Halcyon weight system).