Question about Zeagle Ranger versus SP Knighthawk weight system?

[FredGarvin]

Actually I do not have a current BC and am, in fact, in the market for a new one. In the past my only criteria for my prior two B.C. purchases was simply they be the ABSOLUTELY cheapest on the market. Now I am looking for a weight integrated unit because of my serious issue with middle-aged white man's syndrome... i.e. a stomach with no ass. Weight belts simply side off my waist into oblivion. I have been eye balling the SP Knighthawk versus the Zeagle Ranger. I have never used wings but they seem to be in vogue these days. I am not sure about a hard pack versus soft pack. Also, the Zeagle weight pockets seem to make removing weights prior to boarding a boat difficult. The zip seems cumbersome and awkward. I like to remove my weights so I may hand them to the deck hand before donning the ladder. The ScubaPro weights simply unclip, then are easily pulled out to hand up.

Also, I like the fact that the ScubaPAro BC has so many air exhaust vent options. I would love to have the same on the upper right shoulder of the Zeagle Ranger.

Thanks for your help.

Garvelous

P.S. Does the Zeagle inflator hose have a pull air release mechanism too?

 

[diversteve]

I've owned a Ranger about 6 years now. Handing up weights is pretty easy if you buy the yellow weight pouches as they have a handle on them. Unzipping the pockets while floating is easy - I hand up my weight almost every dive. The pouches are really sturdy also.

One thing I have noticed is that when standing up while still on the surface the tension of the tank weight on the cummerbund makes them harder to unzip.

Most people trim out using approx. 1/3rd of their weight in the back trim pockets. You probably wouldn't be handing weight up from those as it's loose in the pockets.

Does the Zeagle inflator hose have a pull air release mechanism too?

Yes, I just recently started using mine to get that last little bit of air out at depth while swimming horizontally - it works well for that since the two bottom pull dumps (I have an LTD) are on the front surface of the bladder.

 

[diveprof]

Scubapro Knighthawk is a great BC - removal of weight pockets are a piece of cake. I also like the multiple dumps. Very stable and an overall lower profile as far as I can tell than the ranger. With the Air 2 you will have a very low profile set-up. Not a bad choice at all for the recreational diver.

 

[danclem]

Have used a Ranger for several years without any problems. It is a good, solid unit, especially for cold water diving. I think they are over-kill for warmer water diving: a Stiletto works better for me on tropical dives.

It is quite easy to remove integrated weights. You let the "handle" on the yellow weight pouch hang out of the pocket zipper. Simply grap the "handle", unzip the pouch, and hand off.

I have never had any trouble dumping air. The only issues I have seen are newer divers who try to dump air either with their release not high enough, or rolled with their right side higher than their left.

Good Luck,

Dan

 

[fisheater]

Another point is the emergency release of those weights.

The Ranger has a single "rip cord." Pull the cord and BOTH weight pockets dump, right out the bottom of the BC.

The ScubaPro requires two operations, using two hands. Plus, many divers manage to lose their weights and pockets while diving.

 

[FredGarvin]

Another point is the emergency release of those weights.

The Ranger has a single "rip cord." Pull the cord and BOTH weight pockets dump, right out the bottom of the BC.

The ScubaPro requires two operations, using two hands. Plus, many divers manage to lose their weights and pockets while diving.

Thanks for all replies so far... I am still awaiting more thoughts, especially from those who either own both or have tried both.

Fisheater,
Quick question. I wasn't clear if you were suggesting the Ranger's "Rip cord" was a better safety option versus the Knighthawk 2 operation weight dump. Also, which BC were you referring to when you mentioned "...lose their weights and pockets..."

Thanks again,
Garv

 

[DiveMaven]

BCs with the pull out weight pockets are notorious for having them fall out. My husband had a SeaQuest BC before he bought his Ranger LTD and lost a weight pocket on a dive...to the tune of $25 to replace, and he had to put weights in a non-ditchable pocket for the rest of the trip. On our last liveaboard, we found 3 weight pockets at different dive sites, one belonging to someone on our boat!

Personally, I perfer stay away from the pull-out pocket design.

 

[FredGarvin]

DiveMaven,

What is an example of a weight integrated BC that does not have a pull out pocket design? I am not familiar with the SeaQuest BC.

 

[DiveMaven]

Zeagles are the only weight integrated BCs I'm aware of without a pull out weight pocket design. Anyone know of any others?

Also, although the Ranger is a bit much for strictly warm water diving, its easy enough to get a Brigade from ScubaToys, which is a Ranger with a smaller wing.

 

[merxlin]

I own a Knighthawk and a Stiletto (so it has similar features to the Ranger). Here is my $.02:

Both will give you a very nice BC that will last for years. There are some minor differences but the advantage of the Ranger is the individual pieces used that allow you to custom fit the BC. You can get a Large BC with Medium Shoulders and a shorter waist band if needed. Zeagle now has a alt air (Octo-Z) that can use a garden hose fitting to remove it from the corrugated hose and also allows you to flush the bladder much easier than the Scubapro. Those may be advantage Zeagle.

I do like how the Knighthawk trims me out in the water, and at the surface. I need a lot more weight up high and the trim pockets are built in, and hold enough to keep me level. The trim pockets are optional on the Ranger I believe.

I am a big fan of the weight release system on the Knighthawk. No velcro- it uses a very positive clip in system. Yes it take a positive move to remove them, which is why so few get lost. But it's easy once you do it a few times. I had to do it dozens of times during rescue classes and it was never a problem. And there is almost no way to accidentally pop them loose. The Rangers ripcord system (with optional weight pouches)may be easier to ditch, but there is a video posted on their website (click here: Ripcord ) showing how to reinstall the ripcord after deploying. Sorry, but if I didn't intend on ditching my weights I can reinsert the pockets on the Knighthawk and keep diving. No way you can do that on the Ranger. Advantage SP.

Both are great BC's that with proper care can last you many years. I have over 200 ocean dives on my Knighthawk and love it. I've used my Stiletto on 30-40 or so dives as well (it's my travel BC) and like it as well. Try them on, see which fits best, and go for it.