SeaQuest Black Diamond vs. Zeagle Ranger

[metaldector]

Eight replies, 6 for Ranger Zeagle type BC's, 2 for Black Diamond. Hummmmm. Which will you choose?

 

[Titletowndiver]

Make that 7 for the Zeagle, 2 for the BD

 

[BuoyantC]

Make that 7 for the Zeagle, 2 for the BD

Make that 8 for the Zeagle. I split my weights in a drysuit, and the Zeagle pockets are rearward enough that they don't interfere with the weight belt weights. Zeagle does have great warranties. And also they have a huge amount of adjustment. I can adjust my ranger from drysuit, to warmwater, to my son who is about 80# lighter than me. If that isn't enough, the unit is in three basic sections - bladder, backpack, and shoulder harness that are interchangeable and replaceable separately.
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D.C.C.

 

[davehicks]

Right after loosing half my 20 lbs of ditchable lead at depth from my SeaQuest Balance, I bought a Zeagle Ranger. The well designed ditch system was a major factor for me. I do like it a lot, but think the Balance is a bit more comfortable. It's taken me a little while to get cozy with the Zeagle pockets, but then the single pocket in the Balance was completely useless. I still use the Balance for tropical (non-drysuit) diving. I only need 12 lbs in a 3mil suit vs 26 in a drysuit, so I don't have to work quite as much about another accident.

 

[Padiwan]

Ranger all the way! I am a Divemaster and have dove over 50 dives this year alone. I added trim pockets on the tank straps so that I can remain vertical to talk to students on the surface without having to kick. Otherwise it has a tendency to push your face in the water. As far as getting the pockets confused, I agree with everyone else, know your equipment! The instructor that I work for has had a Zeagle Ranger for 13 years and will never buy anything else. BTW in those 13 years he has never had a problem with the BC and never had to pull the ripcord.

 

[iflyprops]

Do LDS's make more off of the seaquest stuff (is the markup higher) than the zeagle? One of my LDS's is Seaquest and Zeagle dealer. He doesn't even stock the zeagle and tries to get people away from it saying it has "problems"....And tries to get you (did to me anyway) to buy a pro qd or a black diamond. He was even hesitant to order anything from zeagle, yet he is a dealer. Needless to say I don't take my bc there!

 

[BFM]

FWIW, zeagle does make a pull out weight system for the ranger. i personaly like the ripcord my self and while i am a new diver, i love my ranger. not much i can add to the info already given.

 

[Karen Dancheck]

Hi

I don't know much about either BC but I do know that Zeagle BCD have a lifetime warranty. That might help you with your decision!
Cheers!
Karen

 

[JPBECK]

So does Sea Quest---But I would still (if I didnt love Back Plates) go with the Ranger--

The Ranger is just plain better... All around Better, and they stand behind their work---I dove with a Ranger for about 6 years before I saw the Light and went DIR----

You should however look into Back plate and bladder--- Streamline is the way to go--and you will never outgrown it---When or if you ever descide to dive with manifolded cylinders you will thank me---When and if the harness wears out you will thank me, because you can replace the webbing for 5 bucks--- Dont let the appearence fool you they are just as comfortable as the BC's you are looking at--and way more stable in the water!

If you do go with the Ranger make sure you get a croach strap with it!

 

[TostitoBandito]

If you do go with the Ranger make sure you get a crotch strap with it!

Yeah, and get the rear trim weight pocket set too. The lumbar pad is also nice. If you want several of these accesories (lumbar pad, rear weight pockets, side shot pouches, etc...), you will save money getting the Ranger LTD.