Ranger LTD or standard????

[crpntr133]

The time has come for me to take the plunge and buy my own BC. I am looking at the Zeagle Ranger, either LTD or standard. I am really wondering if the extra cash is worth what you get with the LTD. I know the weight bags are extra with the standard and you get rear trim pouches with the LTD, but is it really worth it? Most of what is listed as extras I think I could do without. The one thing that I really thought was a bonus was the zippered add ons for under the wing.

I have seen many posts that people say don't buy the LTD but other say buy it. If you own a LTD and don't think it was worth the extra money over the standard, WHY??

Also I noticed someplace that the Ranger has a pull dump incorporated in the inflator hose. Is this true? I know it isn't standard on all BC's.

 

[herman]

Before buying the Ranger, you may want to look at the Escape or the Concept unless you are going to dive doubles or for some reason actually NEED 45lbs of lift. (My Scout has 35 and I wish it had 20 or less) If you do intend to use doubles then a BP would be a better choice. If you are going to be traveling by air, the Ranger takes up a lot of suitcase room and is fairly heavy at around 8 lbs. Frankly, it's built a lot heavier than is needed by 99% of us. I have both a Ranger and a Scout. Since I got the Scout I rarely use the Ranger unless I am heading off shore around here or diving a lot of wetsuit and am driving to the site. You can add the weight pouches for a small amount, same with the rear weight pockets. What people do with that many D-rings no one seems to know. The Escape and Concept are a good bit cheaper than the Ranger which is another plus for them.

Pull dumps are standard on all Zeagles or at least there is one on both my Ranger and my Scout.

 

[scubatoys]

I agree with herman that the 45 lbs of lift is a bit over-kill... But I like the harness better on the Ranger than the Escape... So I've been diving the best of both worlds. I've got an old Ranger, from when they still had the roll down pocket... And put an escape bladder on it. Perfect!

I kinda got excited about this combo - so I got Zeagle to custom make several hundred of them for us. It's called the Zeagle Brigade. So if you need the lift - Ranger, if you are satisified with just a few plastic D rings, Escape - or combo - Brigade...

 

[Firefyter]

Dang, Larry, I wish you had these a few months ago when I bought my Escape from you. I love it except for the pocket situation, and I would have gladly spent the few extra dollars to get the better harness. Story of my life, I guess...lol. I'm gonna have a really hard time trying to justify buying a new one to my wife, so it looks like I'm outta luck again. To anybody else looking to buy one, I would highly recommend the Brigade. With the Ranger harness, and the Escape bladder, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[WileEDiver]

The LTD model also has the lumbar support that adds a great deal of comfort. I'm very happy with my Ranger LTD, but I don't think you'll go wrong with either model.

 

[PadiGirl]

I agree---LTD is comfy

 

[crpntr133]

This is way too weird!! I was just thinking the other day after posting that the bladder did seem too big on the Ranger, no I don't need the lift. Also thought about switching it out. Along comes Larry who has taken the idea and ran (dove) with it.

Hey Larry, by the pic it looks like the Brigade has the added padding, which I thought I didn't want, am I right. So is this a LTD without the zipper under the bladder, and two extra D-rings?

If I order one do I get a cool Scubatoys Brigade T-shirt? Red, white and blue with Larry and Joe? Larry why does your characture(sp) make you look like you are stoned.

 

[scubatoys]

Ok, let's tackle those questions one at a time... The Brigade has no pad in it... but you can add the stock Zeagle Ranger Lumbar Pad... they are about $29 - but I don't bother... Heck the stuff is weightless in the water.

We don't have any Joe & Larry T shirts... but maybe we should... I'll work on that.

And as far as the looking stoned... I spent 6 years as a road musician, then owned a music rehearsal studio and music store here in Dallas. That picture was actually part of a parady comic strip that one of the guys made up about the happenings at the studio... And no... even then I wasn't a stoner.... I think I just get those sleepy eyes from working too much.

Every day this week, I was in before 9, and I taught an Open Water class on Tues & Thursday, Nitrox on Wednesday. Didn't get out until after 10 each night - and I live an hours drive from the shop... And here I am on saturday - working again! So I'm going to take off tomorrow and sleep! but that probably won't change my look on the page!

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Before buying the Ranger, you may want to look at the Escape or the Concept unless you are going to dive doubles or for some reason actually NEED 45lbs of lift. (My Scout has 35 and I wish it had 20 or less).

Hi,

The 44 or so pounds of lift is a lot... If you are diving a 3mm suit in warm water. If however you are diving a 7mm suit with a steel tank in ( cold) fresh water, then it is not complete overkill, or if your wetsuit is a thick farmer John and Shorty then the lift is welcome. If you are doing a moderate technical dive with a high capacity steel tank ( single ) and a couple of stage bottles, then again the lift is welcome ( although for this type of dive redundant lift starts to be a concern ).

I have a Ranger LTD and am happy with it, but you need to examine your diving both now and what you expect to do in the future, if you don't need the lift then the other options like the one ScubaToys is offering are a good idea.

You might also want to consider the JET Harness system from http://www.jetharness.com/ It looks like a really good idea for recreational single tank diving. A back plate made specifically for single tanks. Streamlined in the water and compact for travel. If I was in the market for a new BC now I would probably get one of these instead of my Ranger LTD. I would probably keep the standard bladder for most recreational diving and have a larger bladder for the other stuff. I do like the ripcord style integrated weight dump on the Zeagle BC, I would probably investigate if the ripcord setup for the Zeagle backplate would adapt well to the JET Harness. The ripcord is in my opinion vastly superior to the velcro or velcro with a buckle systems I have seen on other weight integrated BC's.

Best of luck,

Mark Vlahos

 

[crpntr133]

Right now I am just begining to dive and really don't think I will do any tech diving. Just don't like the idea of have to tote more gear. Even if I do, I can change the bladder to the Ranger 44lb'er.
Does the tank really make that big of a difference in what is needed for lift. I realize that an aluminum tank will become bouyant as you breath it down, more so than a steel. I guess a better question is, how do you know what lift you need? I am think weight on belt plus some for the tank while full and any other gear that may be negative. Am I wrong?.

Hey Larry, just razzin you about the stoned look. Thanks for the info!!