Back-Inflate Opinions

[HaoleDiver]

I'm a fairly new diver (60 dives/6 months/tropical and cold) and I'm looking at getting a new BC. I'm currently wearing the ScubaPro GlidePlus I bought while in Guam, and I'm looking at back-inflate BCs, leaning towards the Ranger LTD for a number of reasons, and I was wondering if people had some thoughts on the options. What I like about the Zeagle is the lack of clutter on the chest, the pockets are smooth, streamlined and compact, and the D-rings are in the places that I want them to be given how I wear my octo/computer/accessories. I've looked at the ScubaPro and Oceanic back inflates, and they all seem far more complicated, cluttered.

Any thoughts?

 

[cornfed]

Have you considered a back plate and wing?

 

[herman]

Welcome to the Board.
Try doing a search on Ranger, this exact subject has come up at least 4 or 5 times in the last year. In short ( I own a Ranger) it's a good BC but it is heavy(9+lbs), has more lift than most need and takes up a bunch of room in your suitcase if you travel. The Escape is basically the same BC except it's built of a lighter material and has a 35lb bladder rather than the 45 on the Ranger which makes it a better choice for many. If you need the extra heavy material and the larger bladder then go for the Ranger, the big question is do you actually NEED it. As a bonus, the Escape is less expensive.

 

[simbrooks]

I tried on the Ranger and found that the biggest problems i had with it were the pockets and WI looked and felt like huge saddlebags, i had to wear a few extra pounds due to the extra buoyancy of the BC over the jackets i had used before, the wing taco-ed up around the single tank (main problem of using a single/double multi-use wing) and therefore i found it harder to find the rear dump at times due to it being very near the top of my tank (when horizontal).

It was however my first experience of back-inflates and i like the feeling of being suspended skydiving style rather than crushed across my diaphragm, and besides the saddle bags around my waist/hips i liked the lack of anything infront of me compared to the bulkier jacket BC's.

I have since tried BP/Wings and am looking into getting something along that line from either Dive-Rite (w/venture wing) or with Zeagle (using the 34/35# wing that is similar to that of the scout/escape BC's). I am hopefully going to try these out more over the next few weekends. The previous BP/Wings set-up i rented were Halcyon and they are just too expensive for very similar items of kit. I have price quotes and believe i can get a set-up i want in this way for a lot less than most would let the ranger go for and its more customisable to my own diving and frame. I really liked the solid feeling of the harness and of the plate against my back, nothing seemed to move and i got a reasonable fit with just a 30 min or so of tweaking pretty stiff webbing to fit me, i am sure i will adjust it more as i work out what is best for me over a few dives with this kit. I can also then take the singles wing off and replace with a doubles when that point in my diving career comes along.

 

[HaoleDiver]

I've thought about a backplate system, but at this point, I'm still working on my divemaster cert and working up, so I think I want to go with a simple BC. I read through the other threads on the Zeagle, and was looking for any ideas people had on how it compared to its counterparts.

 

[bedazzle410]

I have a Zeagle Escape purchased from LP and I like it. I also have a OMS IQ system. I bought the escape for travel and for diving when using a wet suit. I feel it is a good BC that is constructed nicely. It has two straps to secure your tank and integrated weights in the front with additional weight pouches in the rear. I also got the Octo + for use when traveling.

 

[HaoleDiver]

It was mentioned that the wrapping effect you get with fully inflated Zeagle bladders makes it difficult to reach the rear dump(s). I was wondering if the clips that the LTD have, to hold the wings more horizontal against your body, help with that all?
Also, I dont do much travelling (I live 45 minutes from Monterey CA, and dont have much money to globetrot) so the BC I guy is going to be my all-around player, and the features that the Zeagle has leads to its appeal.

 

[IndigoBlue]

I have a Zeagle Tech, and my wife has a Zeagle Ranger. We are very happy with them.

We opted out of the backplate route because we travel and dive, therefore lugging around a backplate is a big pain when clearing security. They will always want you to break open your carry on. Also the extra weight is not worth it to us during travel.

My wife is also not a technical diver, and so she has little practical need for a backplate, since she never wears double tanks, so she does not feel like lugging a backplate around.

The Zeagles are modular, and you can take them apart, and roll them up, for travelling. The wing rolls up nicely when disconnected, and the body harness rolls up nicely as well. Both pieces fit nicely into carry-on luggage, or you could stuff them into the corners of your check-in luggage, saving space for you inside the luggage.

They have weight integration pouches, so you do not need a weight belt with them, which is easier on your lower back. This may not matter to you while you are in your 20s and 30s, but once you reach your 40s and 50s it will make a big difference.

The back-inflation wing B/Cs will tend to throw you forward, when they are fully inflated. You can fix this by simply not fully inflating them, at which time they keep you vertical at the surface quite well. It is the most common complaint of new back-inflation users.

Trim is nearly horizontal underwater, and nearly vertical when not swimming at the surface with the Zeagles. Your trim will not be as nearly perfect as with a backplate design, simply because by putting 3 to 6 lbs above your back, the backplates allow you to better control and center your trim. But not having to lug around a backplate has its advantages as well.

As a D/M most scuba stores will want you to showcase their B/Cs, and if they sell Zeagles, then this is a perfect B/C for you as a D/M, since they come with enhanced lift capacity to start with. You will need that enhanced lift capacity as you retrieve dropped weight belts for students, and handle extra weights handed to you by your instructors.

Few if any stores train new divers in backplate-wing gear, and therefore the instructors and owner will normally want you to wear gear similar to the students, with quick-release buckles, etc. If they sell Zeagles, then they will be happy with your wearing one.

 

[IndigoBlue]

It was mentioned that the wrapping effect you get with fully inflated Zeagle bladders makes it difficult to reach the rear dump(s). I was wondering if the clips that the LTD have, to hold the wings more horizontal against your body, help with that all?
Also, I dont do much travelling (I love 45 minutes from Monterey CA, and dont have much money to globetrot) so the BC I guy is going to be my all-around player, and the features that the Zeagle has leads to its appeal.

I do not ever use the lower dumps. Instead I normally pull on the deflator hose, which dumps air from the top, where the air is normally going to be pooled anyway.

 

[saying]

The Zeagles are modular, and you can take them apart, and roll them up, for travelling.

This is the same thing that always flashes through my head when people talk about how much room they take up. "Take it apart. What's the big deal?"