Im considering buying the Zeagle Ranger back inflate BCD. I do mostly cold water diving and am plan to do AOW and a wreck dive this summer. Ive tried the Zeagle and like it and believe it will fit my needs for years. The most vocal support I hear on this board is for BP/wings. Like many other posts Ive read Im having trouble finding an LDS in my area that carries them so I havent been able to dive one. What I want to know is what is the main difference between the Ranger and a BP/Wings. The Ranger comes with 44-lb lift bladder and can take larger. It can mount single or duals and has 4 stainless steel D-rings and is built to last. What makes the BP/Wings better?
Zeagle Ranger -vs- BP/Wings
- Thread starter pyrite
- Start date
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leadweight
Contributor
Yes, they are vocal. Discount the intensity of the buzz and make your decision on the facts, not the volume. There are good and bad things about BP's. I don't dive one.
sheck33
Contributor
I used a Ranger for a long time before i knew better. The Ranger is bulky, it has pockets that are pain to get too, has more D-rings than you need, suitable for doubles 
, well i wouldnt hang my doubles on 2 flimsy plastic buckles and has the weight placed far too low for my taste. The inflator pull dump is bound to break..........naaaaaah, i'll never dive a Ranger again.
The BP/wing is simple & sturdy. The BP/wing is far more secure when diving heavy doubles. No gadgets that are not needed in the first place. If you need pockets put them on your thigh so you can actually get to them.
I have a used Ranger, you can have it (not the tankbands though, i use those with my BP/wing)
just MHO
, well i wouldnt hang my doubles on 2 flimsy plastic buckles and has the weight placed far too low for my taste. The inflator pull dump is bound to break..........naaaaaah, i'll never dive a Ranger again.The BP/wing is simple & sturdy. The BP/wing is far more secure when diving heavy doubles. No gadgets that are not needed in the first place. If you need pockets put them on your thigh so you can actually get to them.
I have a used Ranger, you can have it (not the tankbands though, i use those with my BP/wing)
just MHO
I have one that's about 6 months old. I'm moving to a Halcyon BP&W and will be happy to sell you mine.
I was going to Ebay it anyway...
I was going to Ebay it anyway...ABQdiver once bubbled...
I have one that's about 6 months old. I'm moving to a Halcyon BP&W and will be happy to sell you mine.
That seems to be the trend with people on the board. Exactly why are you switching over? The previous post said the storage pockets are a pain to get into and it's too flimsy for doubles. Valid points. He also said the pull cord looks like it would break, but I'm assuming his didn't after using it for "a long time"
sheck33
Contributor
You assumed wrong. My GF had her pull cord assembly malfunction on her after about 50 dives, believe it or not it was maybe the third time she used it and if someone takes good care of gear it's her. She has purchased a BP/wing now
Dont forget, this whole pullcord thing is just another weak part of the BC that is prone to malfunctioning plus there is no need for it to be there in the first place.
I have used a Ranger for several years. They are a bit bulky but do a nice job. I like having intergrated weights as an added bonus, I will not have a BC without them. A lot of people don't like the adjustable/quick release straps, they are another feature that I want. As best as I can determine, the suggestion that they are failure points has some merit is but is not very likely unless they are abused. The failure probability is not great enough for me to give them up considering the conditions I usually dive in. There are some reports of "trouble" with the ripcord system. I have not been able to get any good first hand and complete information on just exactly happen. I have had no problems at all, mine has over 100 dives on it. Overall, I like the Ranger and will continue to use it. If I ever consider using doubles I would also consider changing a BP as well. The best advise is to rent/borrow each and see which you like better. A lot of wheather the Ranger, or any other BC for that matter, is "good" or not boils down to personal taste.
leadweight
Contributor
Personally, I would ignore the comments about pull dumps and slide fasteners failing. Seems like on the internet for DIR types they are breaking every 30 seconds and in my real life it never happens.
Some differences between ranger and backplate:
Very few people have comfort issues with the ranger. I and several others who have posted in this forum either had sore armpits or the plate dug into their back. In all fairness to the BP guys, this is much less likely to happen in cold water as the exposure protection should keep you comfy either way.
The ranger is must easier to adjust due to its slide fasteners. If you wear the same exposure suit all the time this is less of an issue with the backplate. BP's are not instant enjoyment out of the box products. You will need the help of someone who is familiar with their use to get it right with a minimum of PITA. Do not attempt to set up a BP while boat diving because it must be adjusted out of the water. Do it while shore diving.
The ranger will hold a single tank close to your back. On a BP it will be two inches away. It is my contention that this is less stable, especially when using a heavy steel tank. Most BP owners will loudly disagree with me on this. Decide for yourself.
I don't dive doubles, but the BP was designed originally to mount doubles and it does keep them close to the diver's back.
Some differences between ranger and backplate:
Very few people have comfort issues with the ranger. I and several others who have posted in this forum either had sore armpits or the plate dug into their back. In all fairness to the BP guys, this is much less likely to happen in cold water as the exposure protection should keep you comfy either way.
The ranger is must easier to adjust due to its slide fasteners. If you wear the same exposure suit all the time this is less of an issue with the backplate. BP's are not instant enjoyment out of the box products. You will need the help of someone who is familiar with their use to get it right with a minimum of PITA. Do not attempt to set up a BP while boat diving because it must be adjusted out of the water. Do it while shore diving.
The ranger will hold a single tank close to your back. On a BP it will be two inches away. It is my contention that this is less stable, especially when using a heavy steel tank. Most BP owners will loudly disagree with me on this. Decide for yourself.
I don't dive doubles, but the BP was designed originally to mount doubles and it does keep them close to the diver's back.
Scubaroo
Contributor
Because most backplate owners are former jacket BC divers who contend that the backplate IS more stable than their old BCs perhaps?
There's some good advice on this thread - dive both and decide for yourself. Definitely no comfort issues with drysuits or heavy wetsuits while using a backplate.
Even non-DIR divers like myself have seen pull-dumps fail. How frequently that happens, I don't know.
It also helps if the harness is properly adjusted in the first place.
Generally agree, except for the needing help bit. It doesn't hurt, but it's not necessary.
Oh, BTW, I switch between drysuit and 3mm with no problems. I could fine tune it a bit more for the 3mm, but it's perfectly functional as is.
That's because you're flat out wrong. Halcyon began making singles wings (Pioneer) without Single Tank Adapters (STAs) at least two years ago. The only thing separating the tank from the BP is a thin, non-buoyancy related section of the wing, approximately 1/8" thick. What you said may apply to some BP systems, but it does not apply to mine.
I thought you said you'd tried one of those Halcyon systems, Leadweight....
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