Dive Rite Transpac II Vs. Zeagle Ranger

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I paid around $450 to 500 for my Ranger BC in Dallas. I think that fella is trying to take advantage of your inexperience
 
Obxdiver,
Must be he wants to sell you something else!
I dive the Transpac II. I love it! I did try a Zeagle in the pool. I find the Transpac more comfortable, and more versatile. The Zeagle is a good BC too. I just like the Transpac better.
check out Dive-Rites site Here.

If memory serves , I paid $550 and 45 more for the integrated weight pouches. It has options so anyone interested, check the website before odering.


Oh yeah, Welcome to the boards!!
 
If you are looking into purchasing a Sherwood Back Inflated BCD take a look at the Genesis Recon BCD. I dive with one and it is a very well built/rugged BCD. It also happens to be very comfortable especially when carrying 30lbs in the weight integration.

One thing that you need to be aware of is:

Buy something that you want. If you can, borrow someone's and then try it/them out. I have worn the Transpac II, very good BCD and allows you "grow" with it, Scubapro Superhawk, good BCD but I do not really know what you are paying for(name?), Zeagle Ranger, also very good BCD and also comfortable, but I decided with the Genesis Recon since "it offered" a little more.

But again, you will be the one wearing it so be sure that you at least try and "test" some models before buying. It took me 2 full months to decide.

Scubakid
 
Hi OBX and welcome to the board.

I also dive a Ranger and like it a lot. Unless you intend to get into some very serious diving, it will serve you well. I have no experience with the transpac but based on what I have seen and read, it should also be a good choice. The only thing I would suggest is that you compare all the features you want when compairing price. For example, if you want pockets and intergrated weights for example (yea... yea...I can hear some of you choking but I do like pockets and use them) which are standard on the Ranger, what is the cost of the Transpac (or BP/wing) with them added. If at all possible, try before you buy. While we can all give you our opinions, in the end the only thing that really matters is that the equipment you choose fits your needs and you are happy with it.
As to the price you were quoted on the Ranger, it seems about $300 high to me, think mine was in the $500 range.
 
What they said, with mustard and pickles!

I agree with everthing previously posted except the statement that the Transpac is 'no good'. I dove the Ranger several times and I own a Transpac with an assortment of wings. While they are both good gear, the Transpac gives you many more options for what ever your dive future holds. Aside from the double issue, bladders can be 'too big' for some dives and be hard to vent making the Ranger sometimes not just more than you need, but more than you want.

I also agree with LY in that if you are thinking of a Transpac, try out a plain BP and harness first. There are some benefits in weight distribution and stability and the only drawback I can think of is that it doesn't pack quite as compactly. But close!

I better stay out of the LDS/'net part--I'm in enough trouble here already!

Welcome to the Board, and whatever you end up with, have a blast diving it!
 
OBX,

This is why you should be very wary of dive shop advice. You just never know what you're going to get. Do your own research and always TELL them what you want. You can certainly listen to their advice, but don't give it too much weight. Most dive shop people only know about the stuff they sell and could care less about the rest of the equipment out there. Remember, they are sales people first.

Be carefull.

Mike
 
That price that you were quoted for the ranger is greatly over priced. Several months ago I was in the same situation as you. I was using a Dacor and wanted a new BC. I considered the Transpac II and the Ranger and after much soul searching I went with the Transpac II. Both are really great but in the end I wanted something that was'nt bulky and I'll tell you the Transpac II is awsome!!! After doing a great deal of searching I purchased mine from a fellow in Oregon on e-bay and spent $375.00 brand spanking new. In the LDS it was $600.00. You say what about the warrenty? It is a question however the Transpac II I purchased was in prestine condition and it came with the Trek Wings and I have not had one problem with it. I have purchased other things on e-bay and have not once been unsatisfied. But thats my experience. I'm sure either one of these BC's will work out just fine as they are both excellent products. My only peice of advice is shop around, try them both on and get the proper sizeing, get the best deal and then go for it and don't look back!!!

NJDiver_34
 
Welcome obxdiver. I have dove both the Ranger and Transpac II. I own a Transpac II now. It is more versatile and extremely comfortable. I would buy it from your LDS. As has been mentioned, you do not get the warranty when purchasing over the internet. I have been bitten by that once. I wouldn't recommend finding out.
 
I would be very suspicious of somebody who badmouths other people's gear. I have been using the transpac and I think it's about the most thoughtfully designed bc I've ever worn. Extremely versitile. I hope you didn't buy the zeagle from him. The zeagle is a good bc but you should not pay over 500, maybe 550 for it. Only problem with the ranger is that you can't hand the weights up to the boat and it's really a pain climbing out with all that weight. Boat crews grimmace when they see them. But it does function well in the water, which is the point.
 
Originally posted by Centroides
Only problem with the ranger is that you can't hand the weights up to the boat and it's really a pain climbing out with all that weight.
I respectfully beg to differ. It is very easy to hand off the weight to the boat crew if desired. The Zeagle system offers some small yellow pouches that you can put the bean bag (or hard) weights into that you then zip into the weight pouches. It's simple when in the water to unzip the weight pouch pocket and hand (or throw) the weight pouches onto the boat.

Also, a second read of your comment made me think why yould would have so much weight that it would be "...a pain climbing out with all that weight." If you have that much weight that getting out of the water is difficult, then something else is amiss. (Or I don't have enough info to understand your reference)
 

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