Ranger, or Brigade? (Or something else?)...

[T Bone]

Whoo hoo! My second post! Just discovered the few I'd made last month vannished with the rest of the posts (bummer!) when the servers did whatever they did.

Anyway, I am looking for some new gear to get back into Scuba (after something like 13 years away from it!). Sounds like the best choices for me would be either something from Zeagle, or a BP/W (which I am resistant to for a few reasons.... I want integrated weight, and don't rellish the idea of a crotch strap).

So, I am thinking either the Ranger or the Brigade may be my best choice. (Old BCD that may still be serviceable was an early Sherwood jacket style similar to the Sillouhette. I like the idea of back inflation. And integrated weights (did I say that again? I don't want to deal with a weight belt).

Planning on mostly travel/warm water destinations, but then again, I do live in the heart of the Great Lakes. It is possible I'll dust off the old dry suit and go back to some colder water work as well.

So what say the hive mind? Is the lift of the Brigade enough? Can I put a standard Ranger bladder on it if I decide I need it? Could I travel decently with the Ranger?? (Using an old Oceanic back pack style gear bag, they are pretty large). What about the (unlikely) chance I decide to dig out the old doubles brackets? Will both of these BC's handle that? (Is there a metal plate available for either, and is this desireable?)

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Skyjunky]

A Brigade is perfect for travelling. Ranger not as much. The Brigade is a Ranger harness so you shouldn't have a problem putting a Ranger wing on it later.

If you're wanting to dive doubles later I'd go with the BP/W and switch between a single and doubles bladder.

 

[diver 85]

After 22 years of diving a 'regular' jacket BC(old one finally gave out, went kaput), I ordered & got in a Zeagle Scout about 2 weeks ago...Made 17 dives with it in Little Cayman last week & it was perfect(1st back inflate wife & I had ever worn).....Bringing it to the Flower Gardens tomorrow for 7 more dives on Thurs & Friday...

IMO, perfect BC for traveling(weights only 6#s) & packs very nice for a plane trip.....btw, my wife used it in LC last week on a couple dives & loved it too....click the link to have a look.....good luck. (1st Zeagle I had ever seen, looks to be well made)...

http://www.divers-discount.com/viewdetail.cfm?&DID=1&CATID=4&objectgroup_ID=111&product_ID=8063

PS, I bought mine from Scuba.com for $215, got it in in about 2 weeks(they had to order it from Zeagle)

 

[Brandon]

I regularly dive my Brigade in a drysuit. Works great, and the weight system has held 28-36 pounds without difficulty.

Like Skyjunky said, it also makes a good travelling BC. I've taken mine to Hawaii, Mexico and Oregon and had no problems at all. There are smaller and more compact BCs for travelling, but its size / weight isn't a problem for me.

The ranger wing is huge. I've seen people on warm water dive boats with one, and it's massive overkill. There's limited applications for that much lift (doubles), but should you decide you need it - it's a simple bolt on replacement.

I wouldn't recommend the Scout, being that you've stated you may your new BC in a drysuit. The Scout's integrated weight capacity is only 20 pounds... most likely not sufficient for your drysuit weighting needs (but a good travel / warm water BC!). The Brigade will hold 30 pounds in the Ripcord pockets, and another 20 in the trim weight pockets. The Ripcord is also one of the most secure and simple to use weight release systems.

Hope that helps,

-Brandon.

 

[T Bone]

Well, the price is sure right. No ripcord? Kinda like that too. I saw your other post on the Scout and almost included it (it was implied in the "or something else"). Interesteting.

Any other thoughts guys? Say between the three now named?

 

[ianr33]

Anyway, I am looking for some new gear to get back into Scuba (after something like 13 years away from it!). Sounds like the best choices for me would be either something from Zeagle, or a BP/W (which I am resistant to for a few reasons.... I want integrated weight, and don't rellish the idea of a crotch strap).

You could always get the BP/Wings and take the crotch strap off.

There are various ways of "integrating" weight on a BP. I dont know anybody that wears a weight belt anymore.

 

[crpntr133]

Of the three, if you are doing cold water diving, my choice would be the Brigade.
Diving doubles, BP/W, which Zeagle makes a fine one. Zeagle also makes the "adapter" plate for using the jacket style BC with doubles. Never done it but there are several on here that have.

BTW, you don't need to tighten the crotch strap so much that the fellows pop.

Forgot to mention that I own a Brigade and a Zeagle BP/W.

 

[T Bone]

Thanks guys, sounds like I'll be leaning toward the Brigade. If it'll handle the dry suit too, so much the better. If I recall, my standard weight with the DUI was 12 lbs on the waist, plus ankle weights around 2 lb. each. Of cousre, starting back, I won't be quite as relaxed and will probably need more, plus I have put on a few pounds.... then again, this'll be with a wetsuit (3mm shorty over F. John probably) so that's all subject ot change.... but I think I've nailed another part of the gear with your help! (Scubatoys discount won't hurt either). Now to find a decent deal on the Scubapro regs, and get back in a pool!

Thanks again.

 

[Brandon]

Now to find a decent deal on the Scubapro regs, and get back in a pool!

Zeagle makes some fine regulators as well

-Brandon.

 

[Dark Eternal]

I was pretty set on a ranger untill I discovered the brigade. It is a ranger 100% except with the smaller bladder and a brigade tag on it. If you ever need more lift you can easily switch a ranger or even bigger bladder onto it. For the price, you really cant beat the brigade - Ive got about 20 dives on mine now and love it!