Zeagle Ranger and Travel??

[shark.byte.usa]

Now admittidlly, I have never traveled with a BC or any other scuba gear for that matter. Is the Zeagle Ranger as tough to travel with as I seem to get the impression, and would I really be saving all that much space by getting a Stiletto instead? I like everything about the ranger, this is the only thing that would hold me back from going in that direction.

Pros, Cons, opinions....

Thanks in advance.

 

[TostitoBandito]

Now admittidlly, I have never traveled with a BC or any other scuba gear for that matter. Is the Zeagle Ranger as tough to travel with as I seem to get the impression, and would I really be saving all that much space by getting a Stiletto instead? I like everything about the ranger, this is the only thing that would hold me back from going in that direction.

Pros, Cons, opinions....

Thanks in advance.

My Ranger LTD fits in my big dive bag with my fins and everything just fine. It's not like you are carrying the BC on the plane so size really doesn't matter all that much since pretty much any BC fits in a big duffel-style bag. I usually check one bag with dive gear (fins, mask, wetsuit, booties, gloves, BC, etc...), one bag with my clothes and stuff, and carry on my regs and computer. A lot of other people I have met take the same approach. Honestly, I don't think size is that much of a consideration for travel for these reasons, unless you want to try and cram everything in a small abg or something.

-Eric

 

[D_O_H]

Now admittidlly, I have never traveled with a BC or any other scuba gear for that matter. Is the Zeagle Ranger as tough to travel with as I seem to get the impression, and would I really be saving all that much space by getting a Stiletto instead? I like everything about the ranger, this is the only thing that would hold me back from going in that direction.

Pros, Cons, opinions....

Thanks in advance.

It's definitely big. I am able to cram it, my girlfriend's Zena, two wetsuits, fins, etc. (basically everything but regulators and computers, which we carry on) into the gigantic Akona AKB-144 bag, but it's a fairly tight squeeze. Compared to my girlfried's Zena (which isn't really a fair comparison, since hers is size small and mine is XL), the Ranger easily takes up 3 times more space.

If you really like the Ranger (I love mine) the best solution might be to get the Brigade from Larry at scubatoys. It's a Ranger with a smaller bladder, which is really what makes the thing so large to begin with.

 

[triton94949]

With a Zeagle, you can easily disconnect the wing from the harness. What I do is disconnect them, then roll up the wing, squeezing all the air out of it in the process. It rolls up to about the same size as a toilot paper roll, just like any detatchable wing.

The Zeagle fabric harness can be flattened together to about the same size as a plate and harness. The Zeagle weights a little less than an aluminum plate and harness, and a lot less than a stainless steel plate and harness. They are all about the same size, and fit conveniently into carry-on luggage.

The advantage of the Zeagle B/Cs over plates and wings is that you do not need an STA with a Zeagle fabric harness. Also, your Zeagle will not trigger the Xray machine like a plate would.

 

[TostitoBandito]

With a Zeagle, you can easily disconnect the wing from the harness. What I do is disconnect them, then roll up the wing, squeezing all the air out of it in the process. It rolls up to about the same size as a toilot paper roll, just like any detatchable wing.

The Zeagle fabric harness can be flattened together to about the same size as a plate and harness. The Zeagle weights a little less than an aluminum plate and harness, and a lot less than a stainless steel plate and harness. They are all about the same size, and fit conveniently into carry-on luggage.

The advantage of the Zeagle B/Cs over plates and wings is that you do not need an STA with a Zeagle fabric harness. Also, your Zeagle will not trigger the Xray machine like a plate would.

I'll have to try that sometime...

 

[herman]

I own a Ranger and yea, it take up a lot of space and weight (9lbs) in your luggage. My solution was to buy a Scout for travel. If I were buying 1 new BC and intended to travel with it a lot I would most likely buy the Escape unless you need the extra lift and doubles capability of the Ranger...then my solution of 2 BCs is the way to go.

 

[D_O_H]

With a Zeagle, you can easily disconnect the wing from the harness. What I do is disconnect them, then roll up the wing, squeezing all the air out of it in the process. It rolls up to about the same size as a toilot paper roll, just like any detatchable wing.

The Zeagle fabric harness can be flattened together to about the same size as a plate and harness. The Zeagle weights a little less than an aluminum plate and harness, and a lot less than a stainless steel plate and harness. They are all about the same size, and fit conveniently into carry-on luggage.

The advantage of the Zeagle B/Cs over plates and wings is that you do not need an STA with a Zeagle fabric harness. Also, your Zeagle will not trigger the Xray machine like a plate would.

This is interesting. I had never even thought of trying this. How long would you say it takes to disassemble and reassemble it?

 

[triton94949]

This is interesting. I had never even thought of trying this. How long would you say it takes to disassemble and reassemble it?

30 seconds.

 

[liberato]

I second triton94949's method. I once packed a 3XL Ranger and my complete warmwater kit (fins, regs, computer, skin, mask, etc.) in a single legal overhead carry-on. I didn't take it completely apart, though. Just used the straps to bind the rolled up BC.

I am less paranoid about loss now so only carry on the small high-value items as most people do. But it can be done without too much difficulty.

 

[ozarkjim]

Been traveling with my Ranger over 6 years now. Get all of the air out of the wing and it lays flat in the bottom of a regular suitcase. I put everything in my checked bags as I get stuck carrying my wife's camera case. My clothing needs in the Carribean are minimal anyway.