Converting Ranger to Backplate

[Rockhound76]

I used to dive with a "backpack" type system years ago (AT PAC with hollow backpack that held lead shot and marbles). I still own it. I recently tried it again and was impressed with the UW balance.

My Ranger has been a great system, but it now needs some repair work to the jacket. Given that I have a lifetime warranty and the rest of the system is going strong, is there any reason that I shouldn't just buy their "deluxe" backplate and mount the bladder to it? 44# is overkill, but the bladder is pretty compact and I could live with it.

It would cost me less that $300 to do this, plus I'd have the soft pack (repaired) as a sort of backup. The other choices would be to wait for the repairs, which are likely free, and keep diving my Ranger system, since it still a good BC and I rarely dive doubles, or to buy/build a whole new BC and get rid of some perfectly good gear.

Btw, a simple plate rig is fine, but I also tried out my son's new Poseidon and it is really sweet, even if it isn't a true backplate system.

Any experience on the Board with the Zeagle backplate conversion. Any advice?

 

[Scared Silly]

I went this route for a summer. You should be able to do this for alot less. Less than $200 for the backplate and harness, just buy it al-a-carte and put it together yourself. I used the std harness, made my own 2" crotch strap, and bolted on my Ranger bladder. I used it w/dlb AL80 for 25+ dives before getting a std. wing for doubles and another wing for singles. (and then selling my Ranger)

I would not use this for singles as the Ranger wing is not really in the right place to wrap around a single cylinder. The soft harness is better.