Zeagle Ranger Crotch Strap

[The Horn]

Just wondering if anyone out there recommends or condems adding this to the ranger BCD. Also wondering how it attaches at the front of the BC and if the double strap is easy to don.

I have realitivly few dives with my Ranger but it is very comfortable above and below and is working out great. The only thing, as with everything, these days is the option this option that stuff and my LDS has to order in most gear that is a bit out of the norm so there iss no real way to try things out. I wish the ranger had come with more of the options you could use right away like the weight pocket bags. luckly the trim pockets came fitted.

Have a great dive!

 

[CUunderH2O]

Hi there,

The crotch strap is a great addition. I don't have one for my current Ranger, but when I trained with a Ranger that had one it definitely helped the BC stay in the right place. I don't know about your LDS, but if I order one from my LDS, it would cost me about $50. I know of many people who dive with Rangers who have made their own crotch straps using parts from Canadian Tire, or who went to an outdoors store and had one made by them. There should be some tiny clips on the front & back of your BC where it would attach. It's very easy to clip on & off, it's usually the last thing you do up on your gear.

One thing, though: I find my Ranger fits me very well without the crotch strap; it doesn't ride up like many BCs, and that's why I haven't ordered or made one yet. If yours fits well & doesn't ride up, then you don't really need one, unless you decide to dive doubles with it, in which case you'd probably trade in your BC for a BP/wing setup anyway.

About half of the people I know who dive Ranger BCs use the crotch strap. Whether they really need it or not is a good question. I would say most don't, if their BC was fitted by the LDS.

In any case, I definitely don't condemn using one, but there's not always a need for one, either. If your BC fits fine, don't bother; save your money for some more important dive gear!

 

[metaldector]

It's about $12 USdollars and comes with a scooter ring. There is a 1" wide buckle in the back of the ranger where you'd attach it. The part that fits to the front has a 2" sewn loop that you slip one side of your snap buckle through. The crotch strap is a good idea if you are riding waves waiting for pickup via a boat. It keeps the Ranger from floating up around your head.

 

[abrown203]

Just wondering if anyone out there recommends or condems adding this to the ranger BCD. Also wondering how it attaches at the front of the BC and if the double strap is easy to don.

I agree with CUunderH2O.

I upgraded to using crotch straps about a year of using my Ranger. It took me about 2 minutes to install it. Here in southern CA I do a lot of beach diving surface and surface kicking. The strap help keep the BC from riding up my back (due to the back inflation design) during these surface kicks. Underwater I think they are negligible. They are easy me to don and doff.

Two small gripes.

1. You now have 2 more clips to undo that are not on a typical recreational BC. While getting my Rescue cert. I realized that the Ranger with crotch straps would be more difficult for someone to remove who is not familiar with the BC. This risk can be reduced by familiarizing your buddy with your BC prior to diving.

2. After about 3 years of use and about 100 dives, the straps have slightly worn on my wetsuit. I think it is mostly cosmetic though.

You may not need them if you don't have a problem with your Ranger riding up your back while at the surface.

-Aaron

 

[CUunderH2O]

You know, I've never had a problem with my Ranger riding up either on the surface or underwater. I swim on my back on the surface, and I find it very relaxing that way in the Ranger. I guess I'm just lucky, or it fits me perfectly!

 

[The Horn]

Right on, thanks

I don't really have any ride up issues so I'll wait on the straps for now. Thanks for the input. If things get crazy I may go the fabrication route. I'll see what the LDS is to order them in.

 

[StSomewhere]

There is a 1" wide buckle in the back of the ranger where you'd attach it. The part that fits to the front has a 2" sewn loop that you slip one side of your snap buckle through.

Is it only the Ranger/Brigade that this fits on? Not the Stilletto?

 

[abrown203]

You know, I've never had a problem with my Ranger riding up either on the surface or underwater. I swim on my back on the surface, and I find it very relaxing that way in the Ranger. I guess I'm just lucky, or it fits me perfectly!

I agree that the Ranger is a very comfortable BC on the surface and underwater.

Not to get too personal CUunderH2O... but

1. How tight do you make your cummerbund?
2. How big is your beer belly?

I think the "riding up" has a lot to do with the Velcro cummerbund and associated clip. If you make the cummerbund a little tighter around your waist and/or have a good sized beer belly, the Ranger is less likely to ride up.

I have a relatively small beer belly and like my cummerbund a little looser. I think this combination makes the Ranger ride up on me.

-Aaron

 

[CUunderH2O]

Well, Aaron, if you'd read my profile, you'd see that I'm a woman. And I don't have a beer belly, in fact I'm fairly slim. I wear my cummerbund snug, but not too snug. ie. it doesn't impede my breathing ability, which is the whole point of the back-inflate, no? The cummerbund sits at my waist, and my waist goes inward, like an hourglass, opposite to your beer-belly shape, and I think that's why it doesn't ride up. I think it helped that my Ranger was fitted to me by my LDS, and the guy who adjusted it was my boyfriend at the time, so I got 'special attention' on that one!

I know that even with the fact that the Rangers are very adjustable & have interchangeable parts, they still don't fit some people. For example, I know a family who dives, the husband & wife both love their Rangers, yet their daughter (who is very busty) did not like the fit of the Ranger, even though she liked the concept of it.

 

[abrown203]

Well, Aaron, if you'd read my profile, you'd see that I'm a woman.

Yikes... sorry for the gender assumption.