Zeagle Ranger vs. Stiletto

[bobbybubbles]

I currently dive with a Sherwood Avid which I have enjoyed over the last five years. I just purchased a Zeagle Ranger from my LDS with the intent of freeing up more chest area for drysuit use. The real negative to the Ranger, especially with the lumbar pad, is it's bulk for travelling. I average about fifty dives per year (single tank), between the cold waters of New Hampshire and the warm waters of the caribbean.
So...my LDS (great guys!) ordered in a new Stiletto to test in the pool, which I did yesterday. It seems like a good vest and it felt very comfortable, but it wasn't nearly as substantial as the Ranger. I know the real solution, but fifty dives per year, in my mind, just doesn't warrant two vests.
Any input on this would be appreciated including what the big cheese himself (Scott), has to say.
Thanks

 

[dwndeep]

Since your only diving 1 tank, sell the ranger, keep the stiletto. it has has the lift you need, and is a lil more streamlined than the ranger

 

[Carlos Danger]

I spent about a year testing as many makes and models of BC that I could get my hands on, and finally decided on the Zeagle Stiletto. The experience actually helped me to refine my notions of what I was really looking for - efficient functionality.

I find the Stiletto to possess the largest collective of positive attributes, with few (if any) compromises. It's super comfortable, light, compact, stable, and has excellent buoyancy characteristics. It more than tough enough and has plenty of lift without being bulky, and it's reasonably priced. The only issue that I had with it initially was that it would tend to ride-up on surface swims. So, I sent it back to the factory and had them add a Split Saddle Strap. Now it's just about as perfect a BC as I think I could ever possibly wish for.

Personally, I don't see any problem with having two BCs. However, given enough time with the Stiletto, you may come to find it to be your favorite as well.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Since you mention drysuit diving, it really comes down to the amount of lift you need and how much weight you require. If the 35lbs of lift work fine for you, and the Stiletto can hold the weight you need for local diving, and you like the Stiletto better, no problem - go with the Stiletto.

If you need the weight and lift, and prefer the wider shoulders on the Ranger (which I do for drysuit diving) them stick with the Ranger.

I, personally, would just keep both of them, but I just go pull them off a shelf so I am not the right guy to ask....

The other alternative is to simply buy a Escape or Stiletto bladder and put it on the Ranger when you don't need the 44lbs of lift. Some guy in Texas sells a BC like that and does quite well with it, from what I hear....

Best of luck with your choice, and thanks for diving Zeagle!!!

Scott (who is just a working stiff - nowhere near a "big cheese"!)

 

[bobbybubbles]

hey scott,
the lift is fine. with a drysuit, i'm at 28#'s in the vest now that i switched to a steel 100.
is it just my imagination..... is the stiletto a bit more stable than the ranger due to the smaller lumbar pad?
also...is the stiletto suppose to pair up with the 12# mesh pouches?
thanks

 

[bobbybubbles]

Hey scott,
If I was to purchase a Stiletto bladder....how difficult, or easy, it it to switch out and how much bulk would it actually cut out for travelling?
Thanks

 

[ScottZeagle]

is it just my imagination..... is the stiletto a bit more stable than the ranger due to the smaller lumbar pad?

Not sure, but I would lean toward "it's your imagination..."

also...is the stiletto suppose to pair up with the 12# mesh pouches?

Yes.

Hey scott,
If I was to purchase a Stiletto bladder....how difficult, or easy, it it to switch out and how much bulk would it actually cut out for travelling?

It is pretty easy to switch out. If you can thread a scuba buckle correctly you should have little trouble. A Ranger with a single bag bladder is quite a bit more compact than one with a 44 lb bladder. Others who have tried both can probably give yu a better answer as far as actual packing and things go...

Good luck and dive safe!

Scott

 

[crpntr133]

Hmm, looks like Scott got spanked for saying "Larry at Scubatoys"?

I have the Brigade, Ranger with 35# lift,(only available at above mentioned shop) and I love it. It packs pretty good. I just took it to FL with me last month and was pretty surprised at how small it will pack. To give you an idea. I just sent it off yesterday to Zeagle for repairs. I packed it in a dual cassette deck box. Could have been smaller if I had rolled the shoulders over.

BTW Scott, if you smell something within the next day or two that smells like a cat fish, it is my BC.

 

[bobbybubbles]

Thanks to all for your input, either through this thread or others.
I called my LDS and informed Tom of my decision.
I'm going with the Ranger and will order the Stiletto Bladder for my trips to warmer waters. I knew with a quality product from Zeagle that I couldn't go wrong. I just had to fine tune MY wants and needs.
Thanks again.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Congrats on your Ranger!! I hope you get many years of use from it!!!

Thanks!

Scott