Buddy Ranger BCD
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TexasMike
Contributor
Never have heard of this particular BC. I own a Zeagle Ranger BC. Is that what you are speaking of?
If not, who makes the one you are asking about?
If not, who makes the one you are asking about?
Sorry, heres a link to the Producer APvalves in UK.
http://www.apvalves.com/Prdtsfrmset.html
http://www.apvalves.com/Prdtsfrmset.html
Green_Manelishi
Contributor
Draken,
those "old" horse-collar style BCs are about the only
style (almost) guaranteed to float you face up on the
surface. Years ago it was "the style".
They also present quite a bit of frontage area that might
or might not bother you.
G_M
I know about horse-collar-BCs. My training was full of them!! (8 years ago).
The Buddy Ranger is a normal BCD with integrated weights and a 0.4 l bottle (Used to be a requirement in Denmark).
Please, see the link http://www.apvalves.com/Ranger.html
What I want is info on how the BCD is to wear in water. Is it good/bad, ........
The Buddy Ranger is a normal BCD with integrated weights and a 0.4 l bottle (Used to be a requirement in Denmark).
Please, see the link http://www.apvalves.com/Ranger.html
What I want is info on how the BCD is to wear in water. Is it good/bad, ........
Green_Manelishi
Contributor
i did not follow the link far enough.
my comments: i've used the old horse-collar style (mid 1970s) and a 'jacket style' and now use a BP/wing. I
found the old horse collar to be more comfortable than
a jacket when fully inflated but nothing is more comfy
(for me) than a BP/wing. I have not been successful in
using the pockets on jacket style BCs so not having them
on a BP harness is no dis-advantage.
I'd HIGHLY recommend that you try the BC out in actual
dive conditions if possible; that is the only way to
be sure that YOU are comfortable in the rig.
Corsair
Guest
Definitely agree with Green on trying it before you buy.
By the picture I'd be inclined to think it's a little bulky. I don't dive with a backplate & wing, but I'm hooked on the back inflate Zeagle I've got. There's not nearly as much material coming around the front of you, but you've still got integrated weights and side pockets. It just feels more comfortable and less restrictive. That's all personal opinion, but I'd say try out as many models as you can before making a decision.
An emergency cylinder is pretty easy to come by (Spare Air is the most widely used that I know of) and is probably a little safer when not integrated into the BC.
By the picture I'd be inclined to think it's a little bulky. I don't dive with a backplate & wing, but I'm hooked on the back inflate Zeagle I've got. There's not nearly as much material coming around the front of you, but you've still got integrated weights and side pockets. It just feels more comfortable and less restrictive. That's all personal opinion, but I'd say try out as many models as you can before making a decision.
An emergency cylinder is pretty easy to come by (Spare Air is the most widely used that I know of) and is probably a little safer when not integrated into the BC.
Corsair, the emergency cylinder isn't actually meant for breathing off, it's to inflate your BC if you are in an out of air situation. Your buddy can also use it to carry out a controlled bouyant lift on you (in theory)but you have to be pretty careful only to open it a crack, then close it again, or you might end up doing a nice impression of a polaris missile! 
The Buddy range of BCD's are about the best out there. However, they are designed for taking some real abuse, so are a little less 'elegant' than some other makes.
For a long time, in the UK the buddy range has been the BCD of choice for diving schools and clubs, simply because they are indestructable, and easy to service.
I have a Scubapro jacket, with a Buddy 'redwing' set of wings bolted on behind them for when I dive twins. Of the two, The Buddy has stood up better to the abuse that I have given it than the scubapro, which has been (in terms of quality) disapointing (in terms of diving with it I wouldn't change it for anything, except perhaps a new Buddy unit)
So, try the jacket, if YOU like it, it won't let you down, I know a lot of people that use them, and I will probably get the Buddy Commando (non weight integrated version) when the scubapro finally dies.
Jon T
For a long time, in the UK the buddy range has been the BCD of choice for diving schools and clubs, simply because they are indestructable, and easy to service.
I have a Scubapro jacket, with a Buddy 'redwing' set of wings bolted on behind them for when I dive twins. Of the two, The Buddy has stood up better to the abuse that I have given it than the scubapro, which has been (in terms of quality) disapointing (in terms of diving with it I wouldn't change it for anything, except perhaps a new Buddy unit)
So, try the jacket, if YOU like it, it won't let you down, I know a lot of people that use them, and I will probably get the Buddy Commando (non weight integrated version) when the scubapro finally dies.
Jon T
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