The Ranger has a much larger bladder and that makes it harder, not easier, to use. You don't need lumbar support in the water as much as a BC that will not move or shift.
Try before you buy?
- Thread starter Mike126
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I would go with the Stiletto. I had a Ranger and didnt like it, sold it on Ebay. The Ranger was to big and bulky with too much useless stuff on it. Too hard to pack and hard to deal with on croudded dive boats.
It sounds like the LDS did you well. If you happen to be a male of typical build there are only so many sizes to choose from anyhow. What remains is features. The gals tend to have more issues finding something that works with thier curves.
The Ranger is a big unit that can step over into tech diving and I agree it would be kludgey for exclusively single cylinder recreational diving. This is a case where less is more. Enjoy the rig and dive safe.
Pete
The Ranger is a big unit that can step over into tech diving and I agree it would be kludgey for exclusively single cylinder recreational diving. This is a case where less is more. Enjoy the rig and dive safe.
Pete
Ok so I'm driving myself crazy with this BC decision!
Here's what I'm down to:
Brigade
Pros - Ranger harness and heavier duty
- Less expensive
- Moveable trim pockets
Cons - Not supporting my LDS
- Bladder is not as heavy duty
Stiletto
Pros - heavier bladder
- can support LDS
Cons - more expensive
- trim pockets are fixed
- did not feel as comfy
Are moveable trim pockets ever useful?
From what I've seen on the board the Brigade/Escape bladder seems heavy duty enough.
Here's what I'm down to:
Brigade
Pros - Ranger harness and heavier duty
- Less expensive
- Moveable trim pockets
Cons - Not supporting my LDS
- Bladder is not as heavy duty
Stiletto
Pros - heavier bladder
- can support LDS
Cons - more expensive
- trim pockets are fixed
- did not feel as comfy
Are moveable trim pockets ever useful?
From what I've seen on the board the Brigade/Escape bladder seems heavy duty enough.
I still own a couple of Rangers and a Z wing/BP.....this is now gear for my students.
The Rangers are nice but as stated..hard to pack and take up alot of room.
Zeagles are highly adjustable. A pm to Scot Z should help in sizing you.
I now sell,dive, use personally,and for students...Oxycheq. Wing/BP. I have no problem letting people try this gear before they buy. Any dive shop that's want's your business will rent high end gear for a demo (I hope). I match online pricing if a student wishes to purchase.
Ron
The Rangers are nice but as stated..hard to pack and take up alot of room.
Zeagles are highly adjustable. A pm to Scot Z should help in sizing you.
I now sell,dive, use personally,and for students...Oxycheq. Wing/BP. I have no problem letting people try this gear before they buy. Any dive shop that's want's your business will rent high end gear for a demo (I hope). I match online pricing if a student wishes to purchase.
Ron
Mike126:
Movable or removable?
In any case either feature could be helpful to some divers at some time.
Movable will lit you fine tune trim.
Removable will let you get the lead out easily for a good rinse and flush. I run hard trim weights in my Avid and they are a snap to remove.
I'm sure either will stand up well. With comparable lift capacity it may be end up being about loyalty to the LDS that took time to work with you.
Pete
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