Using Ranger wings with a back plate

[DrSteve]

I'm considering going over to a full back plate rig. I'm fed up with the feeling of bulk around my waist with my Zeagle Ranger.

I can remove the wings no problem and mount them on a back plate. But...there are a couple of tags that hold the edges of the wings to part of the cummerbund system on the Ranger which Zeagle makes a big deal over having to be connected for safe diving.

So...has anyone done this conversion and did you find this a problem?

Thanks!

 

[Uncle Pug]

You would be better off ebaying the Ranger and using the cash to buy a Halcyon wing IMO.

 

[RichLockyer]

Ditto. Part of the advantage of the wing is that it is allowed to slightly wrap the tank(s), which helps with trim.
The original dump system on the Ranger might not operate properly.

 

[TwoTanks]

I pretty much agree....

Taking you ranger apart to use the wing is not a good idea. I don't think the brand of wing is the important thing though, you should be more concerned with lift capacity and performance characteristics.

TT

 

[roakey]

Since this is a ranger/BC/backplate question and not a DIR question, I've moved it to the BC forum.

Roak

 

[fgray1]

You can do this. I know cause I have.
Save the Ranger harness for later. It makes a great side mount rig. Use your wing with the PB. The 2 staps your talking about can be run through the lower slots where your webbing goes through. I rigged a couple this way and it works great. It will work the same way it does with the harness. You can still adjust the straps to keep the wing pulled in. Save the money on buying new gear.
Fred

 

[The Kraken]

Dr. Steve,
You can definitely do this. As I was making the changeover from BC to BP/W I removed the wing from my Zeagle Tech and put on my backplate. Later on I took it off, replaced it with a Dive Rite Venture wing.
In fact it'll probably work a bit better than the wing from my Tech because it has less lift, therefore a bit smaller.

 

[sauga]

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but Zeagle makes a backplate that is designed for Zeagle wings and you don't need a STA to use singles. Kinda looking at it myself. The standard harness is a one piece design so I assume it's DIR, but then again, anything with a "Z" seems to draw DIR fire...

 

[DrSteve]

Thanks Guys,

About even on the split. If you look at a Zeagle Range or Zena wing underwater you will see that it wraps the tank as well. LOL a 44lb lift capacity is good enough for any diving most sane human being is going to attempt! My buddy dives steel 120's and the Ranger is fine for his diving!

 

[Tiny Bubbles]

Yes you can put a ranger wing on a backplate. I've done it, and I'm still diving it. I used an OMS stainless plate, and ran the 2 straps through the tank band slots, and ran the tank bands through there also. No STA needed. As for the little tabs on the edges of the wing, I just zip-tied them to the small mounting holes around the edge of the plate.

The dump system works fine and the wing still wraps the tank. I don't know what you guys are talking about.

-Tiny-B.