BP/W vs Ranger

[rocketron119]

What are the differences between a BP/W and a Ranger?

Ron

 

[claymore]

Just about everything. The similarities are they both work under water and are back inflate design.

Best bet is to go to Zeagles web site and look at both designs as they sell both types of equipment.

I'm not getting into the BP/W BC controversy. I own a Ranger and an Express Tech and considering trying the dark-side.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Plenty of posts on BP & Wing. Check them out, in the end, no brainer, BP & Wing it!!!

 

[rocketron119]

I understand the bare bones bp/w. Once you start adding on extras like integrated weights and pockets it becomes a BC doesn't it? Does the Ranger have a backplate similar to the dedicated backplates? If so, then perhaps I could look at the choice of a BP/W as custom designing a BC.
I like my gear without a lot of straps floating around. I started long ago (back in the Horse Collar days) and am just getting back in.

Ron

 

[BB1]

Why do you need integrated weight pockets?

1 or 2 weights on a belt is no effort for anyone.

Work out the plate you need - Alu or Stainless steel to equal out weight you'd normally use.

Then enjoy it

 

[textilet]

The ranger does not have a rigid backplate. I had a ranger, and discovered the BP/w set up while researching ways to retro fit a rigid backplate to my ranger in order to control tank movement and attitude. I had extracted a plastic back plate from an old bc and attached it to the ranger using the cam bands, all with the goal of stopping the tank from wiggling upon surf entries and to keep the tank from digging into my butt when trying to swim horizontally in the water. I also found that having all the weight on my hips, as with the ranger's ample integrated weight pouches, caused me to have to try to swim facing my direction of motion at a 45 degree angle of attack. This caused my legs to be kicking toward the back while my torso was inevitably facing upward--hence the butt-punishing tank problem. It was in the midst of trying to find a weighted backplate solution to retro fit to my ranger in order to put the weight nearer to my center of bouyancy that i decided the BP/W configuration was superior on the merits of design alone. I had essentially been trying to invent the backplate and wing concept, not knowing it already existed. I was happy with my ranger, until i really thought about the draw backs and what caused them. I've been diving backplates now for a couple years and just dont see the situation in which a backplate system couldnt be configured to be superior to a "conventional" bcd. Thats just my experience. If you search the topic you will indeed find many, many discussions of the merits of either system.

 

[rocketron119]

Thanks for the replies. I am beginning to see.
I did try the Ranger and like it. If I buy a BC it will be this one, otherwise I am leaning towards a BP/W.

 

[SkimFisher]

The Ranger will take a BP for doubles diving. But that doesn't make it a BP/W. Moreover, if you want to dive doubles then a BP/W is the right tool for the job. I dive a Ranger LTD and I love it. As I move closer to doubles I will definitely be making the switch though. It all depends on what kind of diving you want to do.

Like the others have said, there are at least 100 threads discussing BP/W rigs. Get out your reading glasses

 

[fisheater]

I have a Ranger (actually the nearly Identical Brigade) and a BP/W.

I only dive the BP/W. 'Nuff said?

 

[Hatul]

I understand the bare bones bp/w. Once you start adding on extras like integrated weights and pockets it becomes a BC doesn't it? Does the Ranger have a backplate similar to the dedicated backplates? If so, then perhaps I could look at the choice of a BP/W as custom designing a BC.
I like my gear without a lot of straps floating around. I started long ago (back in the Horse Collar days) and am just getting back in.

Ron

If you start adding storage and weight pockets to the BP/W harness not only does it become a BC but a bad designed BC with a homemade feel to it.

Adam