Zeagle Ranger Limited BCD

[azsilver]

I am looking for a New BCD because using leadshot in my AT-PAC requires me to bring my own lead with me when I dive. This is now a big problem because of the weight limits the airlines impose on checked bagage. So I am looking for something similar to my AT-PAC to dive with that does not require me taking my own lead with me. A BCD that allows me to use hard weights when I travel by air and soft-weight when I am not.

My husband dives with a weight belt and a BCD jacket. I do not want to go that route.

Weight intergration and back inflate BCD is the only way to dive.

So Does the Zeagle Ranger LTD get the vote as my replacement BCD?

Thanks for the input.

 

[6Gill]

I am looking for a New BCD because using leadshot in my AT-PAC requires me to bring my own lead with me when I dive. This is now a big problem because of the weight limits the airlines impose on checked bagage. So I am looking for something similar to my AT-PAC to dive with that does not require me taking my own lead with me. A BCD that allows me to use hard weights when I travel by air and soft-weight when I am not.

My husband dives with a weight belt and a BCD jacket. I do not want to go that route.

Weight intergration and back inflate BCD is the only way to dive.

So Does the Zeagle Ranger LTD get the vote as my replacement BCD?

Thanks for the input.

I dive a standard Ranger with the added rear weight pockets and like it. I do both cold water and tropical diving with it. I use the standard bladder with it. The only fault that I have with it is that it takes a lot of suitcase room on trips. At times it seems hard to get all of the air out of it to decend.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Ranger, however; I would really examine your reasoning for the larger bladder. The standard one should be more then enough for you. Remember excess lift is not better in most cases. All it does is increase drag, bulk and could have some safety issues as well.

I have the yellow weight pocket keepers that are mentioned here, however; I find that most of the time on trips the supplyed weights will be lead cast weights and I usually just drop them in the BC's weight pockets.

In time, I might just buy the Escape and use it for trips to warm tropical waters. :bandsmlz:

 

[iflyprops]

I have the escape, and am considering buying a ranger...in the future anyway. Just to let you know I absolutely love it. The only thing that I'm not crazy about is getting that last bit of air out...but if I have to deal with that for this great bc, I'll deal!

 

[rcrs007]

If you want a bc for travel only Zeagle has the Escape and the Scout for that. If your replacing your At-Pac may as well go with a Zeagle, I aggree that a 60#bladder is most likely not necessary unless your planning on doing deco diving with double steels.

If you've decided to go with the ranger I know there's a few ads in the Gear Exchange section, eBay is another option for a cheap zeagle ranger if you don't mind not supporting/buying from your LDS's or fellow divers.

Ryan

 

[azsilver]

Thanks for all your input. I am going to keep the AT-Pac for now.

 

[ba_hiker]

Let me put a different spin on this.

the AT-PAC design is pretty old, i have a mcgill at-pac from the '70s. It is no longer available for a reason.

Be aware that the lead shot in the back pack will oxidize and turn into a solid unit after a couple of years. Then if you pull the weight release it will not dump.

If you use one you should remove all of the weight every year (more often if you dive often) and tumble it, oil it and return it to the pack. This will increase the chances of it dumping if you need to.

my at-pac was stored for about 2 years, after a series of dives. It was well rinsed prior to storage. When i went to dive again the lead was solid. A mix of marbles, lead marbles, and white oxide. It took a long time to get it all out.

alternativly get weight pockets from dive-rite or zeagler, or dive with a weight belt. I liked the at-pac. I had good trim and balance in the water. Only problems were that the tank was sitting away from you back, which was a pain on land, and that there was really no satisfactory way to adapt them to doubles.

I have the cam-bands, and various other bits but won't use them any more.

 

[azsilver]

Let me put a different spin on this.

the AT-PAC design is pretty old, i have a mcgill at-pac from the '70s. It is no longer available for a reason.

Be aware that the lead shot in the back pack will oxidize and turn into a solid unit after a couple of years. Then if you pull the weight release it will not dump.

If you use one you should remove all of the weight every year (more often if you dive often) and tumble it, oil it and return it to the pack. This will increase the chances of it dumping if you need to.

my at-pac was stored for about 2 years, after a series of dives. It was well rinsed prior to storage. When i went to dive again the lead was solid. A mix of marbles, lead marbles, and white oxide. It took a long time to get it all out.

alternativly get weight pockets from dive-rite or zeagler, or dive with a weight belt. I liked the at-pac. I had good trim and balance in the water. Only problems were that the tank was sitting away from you back, which was a pain on land, and that there was really no satisfactory way to adapt them to doubles.

I have the cam-bands, and various other bits but won't use them any more.

Thanks for the great info---a lot of people may not know what happens to the lead shot when it is in the AT-PAC after being wet and stored.

I store my AT-PAC without the lead. I do not keep the lead in the At-Pac rather store and transport it in reinforced bags after drying it in a plastic basin. My lead is in great shape and not oxidized. I really do not want to pay 600 to 700 dollars for a new Zeagle Ranger LTD BCD (that is with tax at the LDS). My AT-PAC is in good shape and I just had it serviced.

Looking forward to diving soon!

 

[scubatoys]

I'm sure you can get yourself into a Ranger LTD for a lot closer to $500 than $700 - and still get a full lifetime warranty from the manufacturer...

You just have to call the right shop... not that I'm biased.....

 

[ScubaRon]

In order to maintain the warranty do you need to have the BC serviced every year?

 

[Indybob]

Just purchased an LTD from my LDS for $490.00 Authorized
Zeagle Dealer; will match Internet prices.