BIGJC
Guest
Ranger is a great BC..... the limited has alot of nice features (I like the pony mount) you'll enjoy it alot... I'm going to try that weight thing UP.. sounds like a good suggestion!
:mean:
:mean:
Zeagle Ranger Limited BCD
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I have a SeaPro AT-PAC BCD which employed a full plastic backpack (weight integrated with lead and marbles) and back inflate BC with 60 lbs of lift. Lots of Steel Rings on the shoulders, and on the Bottom. I purchased this new in late 1995 from my LDS. I dove cold water: California Cannel Islands in my 7 mm and warm water: Sea of Cortez Roatan and Florida Keys with polartec. I love diving with it. I dove over 70 times. I have AOW Expert rating. I have not done a lot of diving in the recent years.
I am planning to go to Cozumel in April and I need a BCD I can use in warm water and cold water diving.
My LDS the same one who sold me the AT-PAC in late 1995 suggested I buy a Zeagel Ranger Ltd and change out the 45 lb lift to a 60 lb lift.
1. I like the weight integration and Tank stabilization of my AT-PAC. I DO NOT want to wear a Weight Belt.
2. Lead shot needed for my AT-PAC and Flying is a luggage weight nightmare. I want to use solid weights at the dive location.
3. My At-Pac is usable and I thought it would be good Keep and use for Cold water in Southern California when I am not flying and the Zeagle for times I Fly. My LDS tells them I will be happier just using the Zeagle.
I am looking for the Best BCD for me. I am female and I need quite a bit of lead even in Warm water. I do UW photography and I will soon be nitrox Certified. I plan to do more diving both Warm and Cold water now that my husband also dives.
I am look for feedback especially from user of the Zeagle BCD and other back inflate BCD's.
Thanks for the help!
I am planning to go to Cozumel in April and I need a BCD I can use in warm water and cold water diving.
My LDS the same one who sold me the AT-PAC in late 1995 suggested I buy a Zeagel Ranger Ltd and change out the 45 lb lift to a 60 lb lift.
1. I like the weight integration and Tank stabilization of my AT-PAC. I DO NOT want to wear a Weight Belt.
2. Lead shot needed for my AT-PAC and Flying is a luggage weight nightmare. I want to use solid weights at the dive location.
3. My At-Pac is usable and I thought it would be good Keep and use for Cold water in Southern California when I am not flying and the Zeagle for times I Fly. My LDS tells them I will be happier just using the Zeagle.
I am looking for the Best BCD for me. I am female and I need quite a bit of lead even in Warm water. I do UW photography and I will soon be nitrox Certified. I plan to do more diving both Warm and Cold water now that my husband also dives.
I am look for feedback especially from user of the Zeagle BCD and other back inflate BCD's.
Thanks for the help!
I have the Zeagle Ranger LTD......wouldn't trade it for anything else.
I've used it in cold water and warm....
If you get the LTD it will come stock with the weight pouches. It's basically the Ranger with all the bells and whistles.
The escape is lighter for traveling though.
Good luck!
I've used it in cold water and warm....
If you get the LTD it will come stock with the weight pouches. It's basically the Ranger with all the bells and whistles.
The escape is lighter for traveling though.
Good luck!
Yerba Mate
Contributor
My Ranger LTD is pretty sweet, and I also wouldn't trade it for another BCD. One of the reasons I went with the ranger was the weight integration (IMO one of the best weight integrated systems out there). I dive exclusivly in Vancouver, BC (Cold Water) and all of my weight is in the main pockets.
Although It is a soft pack, the tank stabilization is still nice. I can't feel the tank move at all. Also I use soft weight in my ranger, but I know many others who use hard weights (either way get the yellow bags, they are perfectly designed for the zeagles).
The Ranger is not the best "travel" BCD. I don't travel much (student), so that's not an issue for me, but fitting it in a suitcase may not be easy. The ranger is a nice BC, but IMO not a BCD FOR Travelling (although I guess it could travel).
I would think that if you really like your BCD and it is usable, why would you buy a new one? The Ranger Ltd. is really nice, but if you like your BCD I don't know if you'll be "happier" with the ranger; Your current BCD sounds like "the best BCD for you".
Although It is a soft pack, the tank stabilization is still nice. I can't feel the tank move at all. Also I use soft weight in my ranger, but I know many others who use hard weights (either way get the yellow bags, they are perfectly designed for the zeagles).
The Ranger is not the best "travel" BCD. I don't travel much (student), so that's not an issue for me, but fitting it in a suitcase may not be easy. The ranger is a nice BC, but IMO not a BCD FOR Travelling (although I guess it could travel).
I would think that if you really like your BCD and it is usable, why would you buy a new one? The Ranger Ltd. is really nice, but if you like your BCD I don't know if you'll be "happier" with the ranger; Your current BCD sounds like "the best BCD for you".
I agree with Yerba Mate in the question, why change out what works?
However, if you do decide on the Ranger, I doubt you would be happier. It's a great BC. I've got the Ranger LTD and love diving with it.
I'm not entirely sure I would get the LTD again, though, instead of just the Ranger. The differences are: T
The weight pouches (which are absolutely essential, if you ask me)
The back cusion (which I don't notice, but don't know if I would notice if it wasn't there)
The zippers for additional stuff (in a completely inaccesible place)
The extra D-Rings (some of which are just kindof there, but the one's in the back are my favorite things ever).
The weight pouches are only, like $30, and I read somewhere that you can get Zeagle to sew extra D-Rings anywhere you like (get big ones in the back if this really is an option). And had I really considered this before purchase I probably would have gotten the regular Ranger instead of spending an extra bundle for the upgrades, not all of which are usefull.
Also, 60lbs is alot of lift. Do you use your whole bladder now?
However, if you do decide on the Ranger, I doubt you would be happier. It's a great BC. I've got the Ranger LTD and love diving with it.
I'm not entirely sure I would get the LTD again, though, instead of just the Ranger. The differences are: T
The weight pouches (which are absolutely essential, if you ask me)
The back cusion (which I don't notice, but don't know if I would notice if it wasn't there)
The zippers for additional stuff (in a completely inaccesible place)
The extra D-Rings (some of which are just kindof there, but the one's in the back are my favorite things ever).
The weight pouches are only, like $30, and I read somewhere that you can get Zeagle to sew extra D-Rings anywhere you like (get big ones in the back if this really is an option). And had I really considered this before purchase I probably would have gotten the regular Ranger instead of spending an extra bundle for the upgrades, not all of which are usefull.
Also, 60lbs is alot of lift. Do you use your whole bladder now?
CRDiver
Contributor
I've dove a Ranger with both the standard 44lb bladder and the 60lb. I loved the 44; I could feel the air swishing around in the 60, and it wasn't nearly as "well balanced" as the 44. Unless you absolutely need the lift for some reason, I'd stick with the standard bladder.
rcrs007
Guest
azdiver, what tanks are you using, steel, alum, doubles, singles ?
Ryan
Ryan
Thr Ranger LTD has the weight pockets come with it. The extra D rings (2 smaller ones on the back are liked by many people for clipping things to because they keep them out of the way. 44# lift is plenty for rec diving. Zeagle on any of their BCD has a outstanding warranty - LIFETIME. Travel the escape packs easier but any of the ranger or tech models can be compressed and packed easy enough if you fold up the straps. The LTD also has weight pockets on the lower tank bands for trimming your buoyancy. Your could buy a standard rabger and have trim pockets added. With a bit of muscle memory work you will have no problem finding the zippers to any of the pockets. Cold Water Warm Water the Zeagle will work fine, It also has a very easy to adjust sizing system in the waist band and shoulders.
Mark Vlahos
Contributor
Hi,
I dive a Ranger LTD and I am quite pleased with it. My favorite feature on the LTD is the zipper on the front side of the bladder. I put a 13cu.ft. pony bottle there and it is extremely secure and does not throw my trim off. I do not use the tank band weight pockets because I am properly balanced without them, this may not be the case for you.
You know your needs better than I do, but the standard bladder is more than adequate for me when I dive an Aluminum 80. I am 6' and weigh 220 lbs. and when I was diving the Channel Islands with a 7mm wetsuit I never wanted a larger bladder. I use 26 pounds of lead.
My only criticism of the Zeagle BC is the dump valve on the inflator hose. The pull dump valve is slow to vent air, and if you are truly neutral the air bubble is not necessarily at the top of the bladder. I have learned that when I want to dump a little air I need to adjust so my head is slightly up and my feet slightly down to put the air at the top and then a tug on the hose will slowly let out some air. If I want to dump air fast the best way is to get vertical and let air out of the end of the low pressure inflator. This is fast and if you need to dump a lot of air quickly is the way to go.
In short, I am quite happy with my Ranger LTD and would choose the LTD model over the standard Ranger. It is quite comfortable in the water, and the ripcord style integrated weight pockets are simple to dump but extremely secure. Like most back inflate BC's the amount of clutter on the front of your body is kept to a minimum.
Happy and safe diving,
Mark Vlahos
I dive a Ranger LTD and I am quite pleased with it. My favorite feature on the LTD is the zipper on the front side of the bladder. I put a 13cu.ft. pony bottle there and it is extremely secure and does not throw my trim off. I do not use the tank band weight pockets because I am properly balanced without them, this may not be the case for you.
You know your needs better than I do, but the standard bladder is more than adequate for me when I dive an Aluminum 80. I am 6' and weigh 220 lbs. and when I was diving the Channel Islands with a 7mm wetsuit I never wanted a larger bladder. I use 26 pounds of lead.
My only criticism of the Zeagle BC is the dump valve on the inflator hose. The pull dump valve is slow to vent air, and if you are truly neutral the air bubble is not necessarily at the top of the bladder. I have learned that when I want to dump a little air I need to adjust so my head is slightly up and my feet slightly down to put the air at the top and then a tug on the hose will slowly let out some air. If I want to dump air fast the best way is to get vertical and let air out of the end of the low pressure inflator. This is fast and if you need to dump a lot of air quickly is the way to go.
In short, I am quite happy with my Ranger LTD and would choose the LTD model over the standard Ranger. It is quite comfortable in the water, and the ripcord style integrated weight pockets are simple to dump but extremely secure. Like most back inflate BC's the amount of clutter on the front of your body is kept to a minimum.
Happy and safe diving,
Mark Vlahos
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