Opinions, please..

[ElectricZombie]

If you get the ranger, you'll probably sell it and get a bp/wing before long.

Spend the money in the right place the first time.

 

[LioKai]

Are you wearing a wet suit or a dry suit? If dry, be sure the breast strap doesn't interfere with (block) the suit inflation valve.

If I had to choose between these two, and only these two, I would get the SeaQuest.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

I too have bp/wing for single & doubles.

As of now I use a Dive-Rite Rec Pac for recreational types dives.

Having both is optimal IMO. If I had to get only 1 of the 2 -- and I had ANY thoughts of doing tech stuff I suggest the BP & wing like our newbie diver friend jonnythan said. :54:

 

[caveseeker7]

Zeagle Ranger LTD or Seaquest Black Diamond?

Of those two I'd go with the Zeagle. Very good quality, better configuration options and very good customer service. I've got a Ranger (not LTD). Only other BC I would dive is the DiveRite Transpack II, which offers even more options. The Zeagle is also a bit less bulky than the Seaquest.

That said, I dive a DiveRite bp with an Oxycheq wing. As I still had my very negatively bouyant Scubapro steel 72 cu.ft. tank I use an alu bp. Weights quite a bit less than the Ranger, yet is less bouyant so I could drop a few pounds of lead (6'2''/200lbs, drysuit, 14lbs in a DUI weight harness). Very stable on your back, very low drag, very simple, and less expensive ($20 for a used bp, $220 for the wing, $50 for harness & hardware, $50 on DUI W&T, another $50 on a Deep Outdoors large twin zipper pocket). As I said, it actually weights less than the Ranger, I carry less lead, and that I have in a weight harness, so moving tank/BC around is much more convinient.

While I'm far from being a member of the backplate brigade and perfectly aware that there are good BCs out there, this works me.
Before you spend more or as much on either of your choices you might want to give it a try.

 

[herman]

Let me give you a 3rd option- The Zeagle Escape.
It's built the same way as the Ranger but using lighter material and a 35 lb wing. Less expensive too. I own a Ranger and like it but to be honest, it's really overbuilt. You just don't need the extra heavy material and I kinda doubt that you need the 45lbs of lift. If you fly with it, it takes up a lot of suitcase and weights a fair amount. If you think you do need the lift and heavy construction for some form of tech diving..the the BP/wing may be a better choice. I have tried them and for my typical diving, warm water and a single 80, I don't like them. I find them less comfortable than other BCs and a pain to adjust but for tech applications they are the way to go.

 

[scubatoys]

I'd have to agree with Herman... while we do sell a fair number of Rangers, and Ranger LTD's - from the customers that come in and compare them in person - a vast majority choose the Escape - can't beat it in a sub $300 price range - and if you don't need the extra lift or the ability to dive doubles - the Escape is a top choice.

Larry
-----------------
The one with the moist toys wins!

 

[iflyprops]

I'll second the opinion on the escape, I have one and love it. Just dove it yesterday. Very comfortable, but the tank does move around a little more than I like on my back, but I am still getting the adjustments down as I only have about 10 dives on it. GREAT BC!! However my next bc will be a BP!

Good Luck

 

[vancehobart]

Thanx to all for feedback..Money is not really the driving parameter, and I appreciate the feedback about the chest strap interfering with the inflator valve of my drysuit... But I wll definately be researching BP&W's now.....no since not looking at all the options... who knows, maybe I'll get both!
Thanx again to everyone...
V "n" V

 

[LioKai]

Since you are going to look at a few options for single and double tanks, and you are diving dry, have a look at the custom fitted www.JetHarness.com . Jeff offers the option to use his BP or any other BP on the market, and he will custom fit the harness to your specific measurements. This is important for the drysuit valve as well as overall comfort. I know that many of you don't believe it but his custom fit makes a big difference. It is by far the most comfortable BC that I have ever used. No harm in looking at his website.
Just my 2 cents.
Matthew

 

[jonnythan]

Since you are going to look at a few options for single and double tanks, and you are diving dry, have a look at the custom fitted www.JetHarness.com . Jeff offers the option to use his BP or any other BP on the market, and he will custom fit the harness to your specific measurements. This is important for the drysuit valve as well as overall comfort. I know that many of you don't believe it but his custom fit makes a big difference. It is by far the most comfortable BC that I have ever used. No harm in looking at his website.
Just my 2 cents.
Matthew

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