Ranger VS IQ Pack VS WTX Harness

[sstriano]

Hello All,

I did use the search function, but i did not find what i was looking for, so...

I am looking at getting a BC, something i can swap wings out on.

I was looking at the following:

1) Zeagle Ranger
2) OMS IQ Pack
3) OMS Comfort Harness II
4) Apeks WTX Harness

Could anyone please give me some good sound advice?

What are the pros and cons, and also if anyone could explian to me the difference between the IQ Pack and the Comfort Harness II, as the lady at OMS could not really do it for me.

Also, any words on a Scubapro MK25/S600/G250v, Zeagle Flathead VI, and a UWATECH SOL.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

 

[djanni]

Hello All,

I did use the search function, but i did not find what i was looking for, so...

I am looking at getting a BC, something i can swap wings out on.

I was looking at the following:

1) Zeagle Ranger
2) OMS IQ Pack
3) OMS Comfort Harness II
4) Apeks WTX Harness

Could anyone please give me some good sound advice?

What are the pros and cons, and also if anyone could explian to me the difference between the IQ Pack and the Comfort Harness II, as the lady at OMS could not really do it for me.

Also, any words on a Scubapro MK25/S600/G250v, Zeagle Flathead VI, and a UWATECH SOL.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

I have a Zeagle Stiletto, a style that's a little smaller than the Ranger and last year I bought a DiveRite Transpac harness/rig. To me, the Transpac has a "specialist" look to it and feels different on the surface. If you like that "specialist" sorta look you may not like the Ranger as well, although, the Ranger, like the Stiletto, is really a good looking, tough and high quality rig.

While the Transpac has that "specialist" look and feel to it on the surface, once underwater, both the Stiletto and the Transpac simply disappear and I can't tell any difference.

The Ranger will be very adjustable and you can add or subtract things but the other rigs offer a lot more opportunity to tweak, add, subtract, tinker and just plain ole fiddle around with. The Ranger is more of a put it on and jump in rig in my opinion. If you like to fiddle you may like one the others more than the Ranger. If you want to just put it on and jump in then you'll like the Ranger better.

I find no difference in fit, bouyancy control requirements, trim or stability.

Can't imagine how you could go wrong with any of those. It's all comes down to personal preference for the look and feel.

BTW: I only dive singles.

 

[PriusDrIVER]

You may want to also look at the Hollis Elite Harness and then DiveRite has their TransPlate. It seems there aren't a ton of differences between them, they are all 2" web based harnesses with added shoulder pads, a bit of cummerbund, and some quick release buckles.

As for the difference between the OMS IQ and comfort, one is a soft plate type thing that can work with a solid backplate (similar to a Matrix LTD, Hollis HTS, TransPac, etc) while the comfort harness is a harness that requires a backplate.

Everyone that has a hard plate will tell you its more comfortble. Everyone that has the hybrid/soft plate thing will tell you its more comfortable.

 

[IceBergSlim]

Hello All,



1) Zeagle Ranger
2) OMS IQ Pack
3) OMS Comfort Harness II
4) Apeks WTX Harness


Thanks in advance,
Sam

You did not tell us what kind of diving you want to do. So, here are my thoughts from a general perspective.

Ranger is a decent BC. It it pure recreational but has a back inflate and is tougher than most others in it's class. It has many design choices I see as silly (and pointless) and falls into the "wanna be tech" catagory but overall it does hold up for the average diver. Again. please note it is a back inflate. It is also a part of the Zeagle system so none of the parts will be easy to use if you desire to mix and match in the future.

OMS IQ Pack is an item I really do not understand. (and I own one-2 dives and I was finished with it).
I find it too bulky and has lots of unnecessary padding and junk overall. Plus, you have to understand that it is not a full BC, just a harness. You will still have to purchase a wing for it. The IQ in my humble opinion exists for folks that want the maximum ammount of stuff visible on their body. (somthing that will make you look like a chump)
Also, the IQ is a full technical setup and using it in warm water destinations is beyond overkill. You do not want this BC.

The OMS comfort harness is ok but is still a tech item. There is lots of webbing and ss fixtures. Its another design that I really do not understand. If you are intersted in recreational why all the crap? If you are intersted in tech, why all the crap? Also as stated before, you will still have to buy a wing.

Apex? No idea. They make great Regs but I am ignorant of their BC's.


All that said I think you want to look into what kind of diving you are planning on doing. Both now and in the future.

If you want a good recreational BC buy the Ranger. It will last you a long time.

If you want a "system to grow on" just get a simple backplate and thread the webbing and steel yourself.

As to wings I would reccomend an OMS. They are pretty much standard here in the NY/ NJ area.

But I am sure our friends in FL will have another opinion.

Peace

 

[sstriano]

Thanks for all the great information. I did forget to mention that i am a farily new diver, and that for now most of my diving will be rec., but i want a system that i can grow with, i dont want to buy the wrong things. Tech diving in the future, maybe, but for now just rec.

Thanks All,
Sam

 

[aussie82]

I'm somewhat new myself. Really the only piece of equipment I haven't purchased yet is my BC. One thing that I have found is that it helps to try the BC at least twice, on two separate days if you get the opportunity. I happen to be on really good terms with both LDS's in my area so I have been diving all sorts of different BC's. I have dived the Transplate a lot and really like it. Before that I dove the Aqualung Black diamond, the I3, the Passport, and a BP/W with 2 inch webbing. I like the BP/W the best because of stability and I'm leaning toward just the two inch webbing vs. the transplate (In my opinion the transplate is 2 inch webbing with some additional hardware and padding). In regards to APEX, my dive buddy who I dive with at least once a week has an APEX BP and bought the 2 inch webbing and got a Deep Outdoors wing. He loves it and is constantly tinkering with it.

Just as a note I dive rec all the time but in cold lakes. I'm not a tech diver but in my opinion that shouldn't stop anyone from using the gear that they like or feel comfortable diving unless it is unsafe.

Hope you enjoy your search and I hope this helps a little.