i'm looking to buy my first new set up. I was leaning towards a Zeagle Ranger, cuz my instructor had recommended it as a great cross over for rec to tec. diving with doubles is still a little ways away, but i dont want to have to buy another setup. Then i was told to get right into a harness/backplate setup, and had a HOG harness, plate, regs setup recommended by one of the local dive shops.
My first BCD (11 years ago) was Ranger. Great unit, got good use out of it, still have it, and recently dove it for the first time in quite a while. I really like Zeagle products, and the company - they stand behind their gear.
Having said that, my individual recommendation would be go BP/W from the start. The Ranger is not an optimal rig for doubles diving, either backmount or sidemount, although I have seen people do both with a Ranger. I bought a BP/W about a year after I bought my Ranger, and switched to it almost exclusively. That is not a negative comments about the Ranger, only a statement about my individual preference for a BP.
adamp69:
I'm really a little weary of getting to teck, too fast. I do want to have a wing, but i also want a user friendly setup, with things like integrated weight systems, shoulder and back padding maybe.
Rest assured, starting with a BP/W will not be 'getting to tech, too fast'. A BP/W is NOT exclusively a tech rig - it is a BCD which has the versatility of supporting comfortable recreational diving, and serious technical diving.
Also a personal recommendation - I would
not pursue integrated weights, nor padding. You can use a weight belt and trim weights positioned at various places to provide good buoyancy and trim. A BP is actually quite comfortable in the water without either a backpad or shoulders pads, as long as you have some type of exposure suit (even a 1 mm wetsuit). Given your location, I don't suspect you plan to dive in a t-shirt and shorts.
