obxdiver
New
Getting ready to purchase one of these any suggestions on price and which one is better? Should I get it off the Internet or my local Dealer?
Dive Rite Transpac II Vs. Zeagle Ranger
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Internet vs Local dealer.....
Internet will probably be much cheeper, but as has been said in other threads there will be no warranty except for store warranty. The local dealer can fit you properly, maybe let you try it out thus putting out time and effort to make the sale.
IMHO.... the transpak is much more versitile. You have a broader expansion possibility and range. My next BC will be a transpak.
Tom
Internet vs Local dealer.....
Internet will probably be much cheeper, but as has been said in other threads there will be no warranty except for store warranty. The local dealer can fit you properly, maybe let you try it out thus putting out time and effort to make the sale.
IMHO.... the transpak is much more versitile. You have a broader expansion possibility and range. My next BC will be a transpak.
Tom
I love my Ranger. I've only had it for 2 months but it's a comfortable quality piece of gear. I've heard good things about the Transpac II as well. You probably can't go wrong with either one. Your best bet is to try before you buy.
TexasMike
Contributor
OBX,
First off, welcome to ScubaBoard! We are glad you've decided to join us. Be sure to drop by the "Intro's and Greets" area and tell us more about yourself!
Second, Tom is right. You've asked two of the more hotly debated questions on this board
Online vs. LDS: BC's are considered life support equipment. As such, there are many things about them that the local dive shop's (LDS) support becomes invaluable, including setup, initial checkout, teaching you the ins/outs and features, and much more. While you will find a less expensive price online, it's mine (and others) opinions that the help that you get from the shop both at the time of the sale and aftewards will more than make up for the additional money spent there (not to mention the eventual freebies they will toss in.
Ranger vs. Transpac: I dive the Zeagle Ranger and like it very much. It is a very capbable BC that will take you through all of your recreational dives and into moderate technical dives. My additional comments can be found in this thread (click this link).
But I will give due to the BP/Wings crowd (this includes the Transpac you're asking about, as well as the Halcyon, OMS, and other brands). After reading all that has posted, handling several in shops and on dive trips, and pestering everyone with a ton of questions, I've determined that for the type of diving that I aspire to get into (shipwrecks and the odd cave), I will eventually "outgrow" the capabilities of the Ranger. When that happens, I do plan on going with the OMS IQ system.
One of the most often offered bits of advice is to dive both of them in a pool, or even better, the local quarry. Trying them on in the store is kinda like looking at a car in the showroom: It looks nice, but you won't know if it's for you until you drive it on the road.
I'm sure the others will be adding to this thread soon. So if you have any other questions based on what I've contributed (or the others) be sure to ask!
First off, welcome to ScubaBoard! We are glad you've decided to join us. Be sure to drop by the "Intro's and Greets" area and tell us more about yourself!
Second, Tom is right. You've asked two of the more hotly debated questions on this board
Online vs. LDS: BC's are considered life support equipment. As such, there are many things about them that the local dive shop's (LDS) support becomes invaluable, including setup, initial checkout, teaching you the ins/outs and features, and much more. While you will find a less expensive price online, it's mine (and others) opinions that the help that you get from the shop both at the time of the sale and aftewards will more than make up for the additional money spent there (not to mention the eventual freebies they will toss in.
Ranger vs. Transpac: I dive the Zeagle Ranger and like it very much. It is a very capbable BC that will take you through all of your recreational dives and into moderate technical dives. My additional comments can be found in this thread (click this link).
But I will give due to the BP/Wings crowd (this includes the Transpac you're asking about, as well as the Halcyon, OMS, and other brands). After reading all that has posted, handling several in shops and on dive trips, and pestering everyone with a ton of questions, I've determined that for the type of diving that I aspire to get into (shipwrecks and the odd cave), I will eventually "outgrow" the capabilities of the Ranger. When that happens, I do plan on going with the OMS IQ system.
One of the most often offered bits of advice is to dive both of them in a pool, or even better, the local quarry. Trying them on in the store is kinda like looking at a car in the showroom: It looks nice, but you won't know if it's for you until you drive it on the road.
I'm sure the others will be adding to this thread soon. So if you have any other questions based on what I've contributed (or the others) be sure to ask!
tombiowami
Contributor
When I was first buying gear, I stuck to the local shops, after knowing more about what I wanted, I went to the online stores. One that I like the best, Extreme Exposure, does both, local ds knowledge with online ease of use. They also let one buy and use the gear for a month and still be able to return it.
One thing I have not heard mentioned is special orders and lds. The ones around here will charge me for special orders and no refund on the backside. With online shops, the ones I have dealt with are great at returns.
I also like being able to try stuff on in my house as opposed to the dive shop with employees around. I just make sure to order two or three sizes to make sure I get one that fits. The price of shipping back still makes it worth it.
I have used the Ranger and it is a quality piece of gear for that type of BC. I have not used the Transpac.
I love my Halcyon rig, so cannot really comment on the first question...
BUT...
if you look through the archives there are more than a few who bought that type of bc and later wished they had bought the true bp/wings after learning more and/or using them. You may want to take EE up on their offer to try it for a month...
Last I spoke with them only one person had returned gear.
Tommy
One thing I have not heard mentioned is special orders and lds. The ones around here will charge me for special orders and no refund on the backside. With online shops, the ones I have dealt with are great at returns.
I also like being able to try stuff on in my house as opposed to the dive shop with employees around. I just make sure to order two or three sizes to make sure I get one that fits. The price of shipping back still makes it worth it.
I have used the Ranger and it is a quality piece of gear for that type of BC. I have not used the Transpac.
I love my Halcyon rig, so cannot really comment on the first question...
BUT...
if you look through the archives there are more than a few who bought that type of bc and later wished they had bought the true bp/wings after learning more and/or using them. You may want to take EE up on their offer to try it for a month...
Last I spoke with them only one person had returned gear.
Tommy
martinjc
Contributor
I never used the Zeagle Ranger, but i dive with the Dive RIte TRanspac II and love it - I bought through an LDS in Washington - Northwest Sports Divers, Inc (NWSD)for $530 (including weight pockets & inserts & shipping).
I'm not sure if they will still honor that price - but it was better than any on-line price I could find at the time. I worked with Chris at NWSD (E-mail: chris@nwsportsdivers.com) who I found on the board (User Name-Diver806) when I asked a similar question last summer. See the thread here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2477
Here is the NWSD website:
http://www.nwsportsdivers.com/
Good luck!
I'm not sure if they will still honor that price - but it was better than any on-line price I could find at the time. I worked with Chris at NWSD (E-mail: chris@nwsportsdivers.com) who I found on the board (User Name-Diver806) when I asked a similar question last summer. See the thread here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2477
Here is the NWSD website:
http://www.nwsportsdivers.com/
Good luck!
Lost Yooper
Guest
Not to intentionally deter you from your two choices, I would recommend that you take a very serious look at the backplate/harness and wing combo. Though my personal preferrence, by far, is the Halcyon, I wouldn't rule out the AUL, Dive Rite or OMS basic BP's and non bungied wing combo's. If you want the ultimate in simplicity, streamlining, and adaptability you cannot beat these type of BC's. BP and wings can often be purchased for much less than most "tech" BC's.
Just look into them before you buy anything.
Mike
Just look into them before you buy anything.
Mike
I have Just returned from a local dive shop in the florida Keys where I am for the next month, on vacation diving and fishing. He tells me to stay away from the transpac its (No good), and he dives the Ranger and loves it. He also reccomends to stay away from Online shopping (No Warranties), The Ranger is at a cost of about 800$ sounds like alot to me he reccomends a Sherwood and another that slips my mind. Both are Back Inflation and around 500$ why is the Ranger so much more expensive and is it worth it.
Rangers were $409 on sale at one store here recently and $449 at another. The regular price is around $600. For what it is, the new Transpac doesn't look too bad. There is less of it than there is of the Ranger (not as bulky).
JoelW
JoelW
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