Replacing old Zeagle Ranger, travel BP/W?

[patgrayjr]

I just got back from the Maldives, and had some trouble with my Zeagle ranger. I don't think the BCD is inherently at fault, as it's about 18 years old, and was purchased when I was 30 lbs heavier and mostly dove in a 7mm wetsuit.

During this trip, I struggled to get the BCD to fit correctly, and would need to constantly readjust the cummerbund and shoulder straps, and would still have signifant "slop" with the BC rolling around my body when making rapid movements, and I found myself constantly pulling the BC down towards my feet as it rose up. I do love the back inflate nature, and feel great when properly trimmed and "floating" in the harness as if it were part of me.

The vast majority of my diving is travel to tropical destinations. Single tank dives, AL80s and boat entries with a dive charter. I do have some longer term interest in diving some of the NC wrecks that are close to home, and occasionally consider getting some tech training, but that's a distant secondary concern to a well-fitting, easily pack able, easy don/doff BC. I have 100 dives so far from an expert, and am probably biased towards convince rather than ultimate performance (although BP/W seems to combine the two).

I'm attracted to BP/W since it seems like it could be fit perfectly to the body, without the "limpness" and "slop" I'm experiencing with the Ranger and its soft back. However I don't want to sacrifice ease of use in a Caribbean, shared boat type of environment.

I'm also less inclined to DIY something and would rather just buy a proven harness, BP and wing setup, assuming that gets me a turnkey package and easier don/doff. Any suggestions or categories of BC a I should be focused on? How does one find a good dealer to help with fitting, etc since thus far I'm an Internet expert only?

Thanks!


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[tbone1004]

call Tobin at DSS, get whatever kydex plate and wing he tells you, and call it good.

 

[KDAD]

Patgrayjr,

Second what tbone said.

bought a bp/w rig (several actually ) before my ow certification based on the recommendations here and love it. It is easy to don/doff and is easily adjustable. Lose 30#, no problem. Gain 30#, again no problem (while at least not as far as the bp/w harness is concerned ).

While doing a bcd removal undnjerwater in a jacket my arm got caught up in the shoulder adjustment strap and I knew that the bp/w was superior and the right choice for me. Also, in a 3mm with a ss plate and al80 I need next to no additional weight.

 

[RJP]

I'm also less inclined to DIY something and would rather just buy a proven harness, BP and wing setup, assuming that gets me a turnkey package and easier don/doff. Any suggestions or categories of BC a I should be focused on? How does one find a good dealer to help with fitting, etc since thus far I'm an Internet expert only?

A turnkey package will be easier to purchase, but will have no impact on "easier don/doff" ability.

You will need to DIY the assembly/fitting if you buy on the web. Sure, there are helpful sellers who can talk you through setting a new rig up. But you will be doing it yourself.

Do you have a local dealer who sells BP/W rigs?

 

[diversteve]

Arguably nothing is easier to don/doff than Zeagle's Express Tech. Literally two snaps and you're in it. It's also a travel BC. And $350.
Getting into a BP/W seems to take a little more wiggling. At least the one I tried. Express Tech Deluxe

A crotch strap does a lot to keep them from riding up. On any BC that will take one.

You know there's an internal adjustment on the Ranger right? It's the flat screws that mount the cummerbund to the jacket on the inside. There should be 3-4 1" adjustments possible.

 

[driftwood]

As luck would have it, I just did my first dive on the Zeagle Express. Picked one up to use as a travel bc because I got tired of my Ranger taking up so much luggage space.

I liked the Express so much that I am seriously considering selling my Ranger that I have over 600 hours experience with.

 

[patgrayjr]

This is good advice. I realize I can adjust the Zeagle and a crotch strap would probably help, but I've had some other minor problems with it (the bladder becomes disconnected from the rest of the BCD on the bottom too easily, partially due to dive boats with high tank holders), and the BC just never seems to fit "right". Also since I haven't upgraded my gear in about 18 years, I'm partially itching to try something new.

The advice on a simpler rig seems good, so I've started looking at Hogarthian-style setups. The one thing I'm missing is a "BP/W / Hogarthian for Dummies." I get the basic premise and components, but start getting lost when people start talking about sex bolts and how they "just clip everything to the backplate" rather than using pockets. Google either gives descriptive text without pictures, or overly detailed, cave-specific stuff. I'd like to initially adopt what's practical and relevant for the highly technical dives I'm doing in 90' of warm water with 100 ft of visibility, with tea time (yes, it really happened in Maldives) during the surface interval.

The more I read, the more I'm interested in adopting some more "technical" concepts and equipment, like the long primary reg hose, but I need some more simplistic starting pointers like "here's how you thread the webbing, you big dummy."

Thanks for the tips and please keep them coming.


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