Looking into my first BC set up need suggestions

[Boogie711]

Full setup BP/Wings

Halycon from Extreme Exposures $485.00 to $595.00

Oxycheck from COVCI $435.00 to $565.00

Jacket BCs from Scubatoys $159.00 to $448.00

Help me out here, where are you guys putting them together for cheaper than a regular BC? Cause I am looking to buy.

It also appears from the two above sources you need one wing for singles and another for doubles.

Mike

Yes, you will need a separate wing for singles and doubles. But you won't need an entirely separate BC... and if you were to eventually dive doubles, you're going to want a backplate anyway.

I got my Backplate from S&W Metalworks - total cost was around $130 or so, with harness and STA. If you want aluminum it's cheaper. The best plate I've seen out there is actually FredT's - BCSean has one. FredT is on the board.

 

[PadiGirl]

Pete,
I dive Jersey, Dutch, and Caribbean waters and LOVE my set up...goes from cold to warm without me giving it a thought. Here's what I dive:
Zeagle Ranger LTD (intergrated)
Zeagle Reg ( w/din to yoke )
Oceanic Pro Plus (w/quick release)

Why do I love it, well all my other gear (fins,mask,wetsuit,even gear bags) I bought one style/brand, and then wasn't totally happy w/it, and ended up spending tons of money to get a different brand/style.
With my BC/Reg/Computer...the minute I went in the water, I felt comfortable, and hate when I borrow or rent (I feel like I'm wearing someone else's shoes)..so that's my test of a good purchase.
Zeagle has a great warranty, and I've heard fellow divers say that if there is a rip that Zeagle feels they can't fix properly, you get a new BC-all for the price of shipping cost.

Hope this helps,
Sandi

 

[Grozzer]

A lot of good information here and thanks to all for suggestions & recommendations.

For those of you who have been around this site for ages I know it must be frustrating when someone comes along and asks what might seem a silly question which you know has been asked a gazillion times before, but please bear with us newbies. Like someone else earlier in this thread, I am a frequent poster elsewhere on the internet on a different subject - flying, in my case - and I know there is sometimes the urge to tell the newbie to go do his homework. I've found, however, that that sort of response tends to alienate people, and it seems a pity to do that to someone who might, with a little nurturing, one day turn out to be a great ambassador for this activity which is, as yet, so new to them. Thus, in person and now on the internet, I find myself still answering the same questions from fresh-faced newcomers to flying that I have now been answering for the best part of twenty years, giving them information which is, for sure, available in books, magazines and now - with the aid of the "search" button - on the internet, but now and again I find there is some fresh slant I can give to the answers - either because technology has moved on or, rarely, because my knowledge of that particular area has developed - and so I will go on trying to answer those questions and I am likewise very grateful to those of you who take the time to do so in this web site to numpties like me who are comparatively new to this wonderful game of breathing underwater.

PadiGirl: With all the air at the back, what sort of attitude does the Ranger give you on the surface? It looks as if it would push you forwards - do you find that and if so, is it a problem? What about the Ranger's integrated weight set-up? The adverts describe it as a "Ripcord" weight system - is this one of these new-style ones with a spring-clip or pinch-clip system to keep the weights from ditching accidentally like the Seaquest Sure Lock system, or does it rely on Velcro? I ask because I've never seen a Zeagle BC (we don't see a lot of them in dive stores this side of the Atlantic) but after your glowing recommendation I felt I had to look at the Zeagle website. It looks like a lovely BC, but I'm just curious about the air distribution and the weights. Thanks.

 

[herman]

PadiGirl: With all the air at the back, what sort of attitude does the Ranger give you on the surface? It looks as if it would push you forwards - do you find that and if so, is it a problem? What about the Ranger's integrated weight set-up? The adverts describe it as a "Ripcord" weight system - is this one of these new-style ones with a spring-clip or pinch-clip system to keep the weights from ditching accidentally like the Seaquest Sure Lock system, or does it rely on Velcro? I ask because I've never seen a Zeagle BC (we don't see a lot of them in dive stores this side of the Atlantic) but after your glowing recommendation I felt I had to look at the Zeagle website. It looks like a lovely BC, but I'm just curious about the air distribution and the weights. Thanks.

Not Padigirl but I may can shed some light on the Ranger (and most all the other Zeagle BC's). Like all back inflare BC's, if you fill the Ranger's bladder a lot it will plant you on your face on the surface. Adding some weight to the rear trim pockets (an addon on some Zeagles) will help some. Once you get use to a BI BC it's not an issue. You a have 2 options to avoid the problem, first, just fill the bladder enough to keep your head out of the water but not so much as to over inflate. The other is to go ahead and inflate it a lot and lean way back and get on top of the BC, kind of like riding a raft. It's not as hard as it sounds and is not a bad way to surface swim on your back.
The Rip cord system in the Zeagles is very reliable. It consist of 2 weight pockets, one located on each side of the BC. They are closed on the top with a heavy duty zipper and held shut at the bottom with a plastic strap. This stap is threaded through brass gromets along the bottom of the pockets.To release the weights you have to pull the plastic strap out of the BC and the weights drop out the bottom. It takes a little effort to get the strap out so accidental releases are almost impossible. I understand similar releases are used in parachutes. To install or remove the weights, you unzip the top zipper. They are a little difficult to restring if you have to release them but at that point, it's the least of your worries. In over 100 dives, I have never had any trouble with the Ranger I have. I have seen a few post complaining about them failing but so far, everyone I have quizzed on the "accident" has not responed.

 

[PadiGirl]

A lot of good information here and thanks to all for suggestions & recommendations.

For those of you who have been around this site for ages I know it must be frustrating when someone comes along and asks what might seem a silly question which you know has been asked a gazillion times before, but please bear with us newbies. Like someone else earlier in this thread, I am a frequent poster elsewhere on the internet on a different subject - flying, in my case - and I know there is sometimes the urge to tell the newbie to go do his homework. I've found, however, that that sort of response tends to alienate people, and it seems a pity to do that to someone who might, with a little nurturing, one day turn out to be a great ambassador for this activity which is, as yet, so new to them. Thus, in person and now on the internet, I find myself still answering the same questions from fresh-faced newcomers to flying that I have now been answering for the best part of twenty years, giving them information which is, for sure, available in books, magazines and now - with the aid of the "search" button - on the internet, but now and again I find there is some fresh slant I can give to the answers - either because technology has moved on or, rarely, because my knowledge of that particular area has developed - and so I will go on trying to answer those questions and I am likewise very grateful to those of you who take the time to do so in this web site to numpties like me who are comparatively new to this wonderful game of breathing underwater.

PadiGirl: With all the air at the back, what sort of attitude does the Ranger give you on the surface? It looks as if it would push you forwards - do you find that and if so, is it a problem? What about the Ranger's integrated weight set-up? The adverts describe it as a "Ripcord" weight system - is this one of these new-style ones with a spring-clip or pinch-clip system to keep the weights from ditching accidentally like the Seaquest Sure Lock system, or does it rely on Velcro? I ask because I've never seen a Zeagle BC (we don't see a lot of them in dive stores this side of the Atlantic) but after your glowing recommendation I felt I had to look at the Zeagle website. It looks like a lovely BC, but I'm just curious about the air distribution and the weights. Thanks.

Hi there..
Gosh I never thought about it, so I'm thinking it's really not an issue. With the Zeagle, you distribute the weight the way you like it..so I put most of my weight in the back, then just a few pounds up front. That way I compensate for air loss as I dive. Once you go go soft weights in pockets, hard to ever use a weight belt again..just think, no more black and blues from a hard piece of metal digging into your hip...that's a real plus especially when you're a women with no meat on the hip bone.
The one very valuable trick I learned....it's a must w/Zeagle... is the roll to get rid of air bubbles...by nature with all those pockets and wings it does trap air..simple roll on the side, and presto gone. The quick release for the weight belt seems great..only used it for practice here and there, as it is a pain to get back together.
I know Zeagle isn't a major player yet, but I think it's worth a look...I bought mine from a LDS, but I know ScubaToys carries it, and I've bought a ton of stuff from them, always with great success. You can also custom order sizes, so if you're hard to fit, that's the way to go...My LDS was going to custom mine, because I'm quite small, but the off the rack small fit great. Good luck and if you have any other questions, fell free to ask....on my way to Denver, then to Mexico, but will be back in 2 weeks.
Sandi