Help! Buying new BC and can't decide...

[ScubaThor]

I'm looking to purchase a new BC and have it narrowed down to a few choices...
1. Oceanic Excursion
2. Zeagle Ranger LTD
3. Mares Dragon

Maybe you fine folks can chime in and help me by telling me which one you'd purchase and why....
Thanks.

 

[PerroneFord]

Though I would not personally purchase any of these units, there are many factors that go into BC choice, including intended purpose, common tank size used, and diver build. These are not one-size-fits-all units.

You might try to give some description of yourself and how the unit will be used to get a more valid response.

Good luck!

 

[sasscuba]

Take a look athe Brigade...cannot beat it for $360 with scuba board discount. It is a Ranger with an Escape bladder...http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Mens_BCDs.asp

 

[ScubaThor]

Though I would not personally purchase any of these units, there are many factors that go into BC choice, including intended purpose, common tank size used, and diver build. These are not one-size-fits-all units.

You might try to give some description of yourself and how the unit will be used to get a more valid response.

Good luck!

Common tank size: AL80
Diver Build: 5'10", 205 lb
Intended Purpose: Trying to move from current jacket-style to back-buoyancy...usually dive wrecks or tropical (vacation-type stuff). Want a BC with lots of D-Rings that'll last me for a long time...
Hope this helps.

 

[RICHinNC]

I agree there is a need for more info for us to give you an honest answer to your question. There are some of us that would recommend a pure bp and wing but it may not fit your needs.

A little more info pls. Plan to go like 200 ftsw or more and hang 200 pounds of deco bottles off you???? Just a warm water rec diver??? What's the plan??

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Do you really need lots of d-rings or do you just want shiny things. Nothing wrong with that I like shiny things. But after much research and talking I went with a BPW that has 4 rings. 1 on each shoulder, 1 on left hip and 1 at my butt. I'm not including the scooter ring since I can't see using it for storage on a regular basis. I've gotten a bryden buckle to hold my can light and it has a dring built in. I don't know what kind of diving you are doing or plan to do but all of the rigs you noted are fine recreational rigs. We are an oceanic dealer so I'm biased. I've seen the ranger and my only concern is the weight system and replacing them under water in the event you would need to. There is no problem doing with the excursion. Mares I'm not familiar with at all so I'll not comment one way or the other. But remember lots of drings do not make you tech and hanging something from all of them could cause serious problems later on in a bad situation. And mostly tropical and a few wrecks it would seem to me that pockets could prove more useful than lots of drings. Things in pockets don't dangle and get caught on sharp pieces of metal or drag on coral.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I dive with the Regular Ranger and really like the quality of construction and the adjustability. Check out the replaceable tops.

In the future I might need a different setup but currently I dive with a single tank (HP120 Steel or an Al80) In warm (75 degree water) and cold (40 Degree).

Good luck with your decision, I'm sure you will get a lot of opinions here many correct ways to get to your end result.

 

[Crawl79]

Not sure if its what you need but the Ranger is definetly well built and will last. I have also noticed more DM's using the Ranger lately.

 

[Jasonmh]

Common tank size: AL80
Diver Build: 5'10", 205 lb
Intended Purpose: Trying to move from current jacket-style to back-buoyancy...usually dive wrecks or tropical (vacation-type stuff). Want a BC with lots of D-Rings that'll last me for a long time...
Hope this helps.

If I was picking between those 3 I would choose the Zeagle, but I don't know much about the others. You might want to consider a BP&W, since you can add as many D-rings as you want, and (unlike most BCs) you can put them whereever you want. A BP also packs smaller for travel than most BCs, and will last a very long time.

 

[Zeeman]

If a BP-W is out of the question, I'd go the zeagle

I had a Zeagle Tech (happily bought by a friend) that was great, and still have a scout (which is being stalked by a few friends) whilst I'm getting my BP-W just right

Z..