Zeagle Ranger w/o a RipCord system?

[RonFrank]

I'm looking at a used Ranger BCD, and it does NOT have a ripcord system?

It's 2-3 years old.

Did Zeagle make the Ranger with the option of no ripcord? It looks like the weights release using velcro tabs.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[crpntr133]

PM ScottZeagle. If anybody would know it would be him for sure.

 

[Firefyter]

I'm looking at a used Ranger BCD, and it does NOT have a ripcord system?

It's 2-3 years old.

Did Zeagle make the Ranger with the option of no ripcord? It looks like the weights release using velcro tabs.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

Yep, Zeagle also makes a weight system called the ZIP Touch system, and it uses velcro. I have the ripcord system and love it, but I have no experience with the ZIP Touch. You can get a closer look at it by going to Zeagle's website and looking at the .pdf file on BC's.

 

[mleong]

Yeah, the Ranger does comes with the velcro system for the weight pockets. They also comes with another system which is similiar to others where there is a tab that you pull and the weights sits on the pockets.=, something like the US Divers Alcyone. To me, I think the velcro is a better choice in that if u release tthe weight, it can be easily re weighted, unlike the rip cord, you need to rethread the whole thing thru, which takes more time.
I had since change to the BP/wing system.

Michael

 

[DiveTub]

Of course Velcro only lasts a couple of years before it has to be replaced. The ripcord system will outlast velcro everytime. How many times have you ever dropped your weights ?

In any case it takes only a couple of minutes to re-thread if you ever needed dump them.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Firefyter is correct. We don't make many of these, as most people prefer the ripcord weight system, but it is something we offer....

The ripcord system is very simple to re-thread if it ever gets pulled. I spend the better part of my time at consumer shows educating people on the ease of re-threading a ripcord system. Once they see it done, and actually get a chance to do it themselves, the usual response is, "That isn't hard to do AT ALL!"

For anyone who feels uncomfortable with our ripcord system, I invite you to stop by Zeagle for a free demonstration - or contact me and I will arrange for a Zeagle dealer near you to give you a demo!

One thing I can tell you for certain - if you ditch your weights on a trip by pulling your ripcord, you can re-thread it during your surface interval and never miss a dive.
If you ditch someones "pull out" weight system and drop the pockets, you will not be able to dive again unless there is a spare weightbelt or BC on the boat!
I have never seen a boat without some extra weights around, but I rarely see extra pull out pockets or BCs laying around!

Just food for thought....

Scott

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

I love my Ranger with the zipcord!

Of course Velcro only lasts a couple of years before it has to be replaced. The ripcord system will outlast velcro everytime. How many times have you ever dropped your weights ?

In any case it takes only a couple of minutes to re-thread if you ever needed dump them.

I agree, but suspect it takes less than a couple of years for Velcro to become worthless. Sand and Velcro don’t play well together. I suspect that Velcro is the real culprit in giving WI BCs a bad name. The zip cord’s not hard to re-thread.

...

One thing I can tell you for certain - if you ditch your weights on a trip by pulling your ripcord, you can re-thread it during your surface interval and never miss a dive.
If you ditch someones "pull out" weight system and drop the pockets, you will not be able to dive again unless there is a spare weightbelt or BC on the boat!
I have never seen a boat without some extra weights around, but I rarely see extra pull out pockets or BCs laying around!

Just food for thought....

Scott

Good point. I hadn’t thought about that angle.

Here’s another angle, too. There is raging debate among these threads as to whether you need ditch-able weight at all. I won’t go there, but I think there is a good chance that if you ever had to ditch weight, you’re going to be busy going to the hospital during your surface interval, not worrying about re-threading the zip cord.

On a side note, if you decide to get a rip-cord-type system, I recommend that you get weight pouches, so that if you need to ‘hand up’ the weights at the end of a dive, you don’t have to hand one weight at a time.

 

[android]

Aww man, I thought I had to send it back to the mfg to get it rethreaded
I've actually heard this BS before!

My first experience with Zeagle rethreading was when a Escape I was using for OW cert got caught on something in the car and pulled out. My instructor told me to "figure it out". I did and it took no more than 5 minutes to rig it back up. (He checked it when I was done.) It's really easy.

Scott, Have you ever thought of putting a coily tether on the handle? There's a chance someone could pull it and drop it in a high stress situation. Then you would be high and dry.

PS: Yes, the yellow pouches are good idea. I don't dive with much weight and I lost a few 1lb bags before I got the yellow bags.

 

[ScottZeagle]

The ripcord is not designed to pull all the way out of the BC. It has a "stopper" on it (which is inside the ripocord channel of the sewn product) that only allows the ripcord to be pulled out about 10 inches. That being said, you CAN pull it all the way out if you REALLY REALLY try, but I have seen less than a handful be returned for that reason in years....

Scott

 

[RonFrank]

Firefyter is correct. We don't make many of these, as most people prefer the ripcord weight system, but it is something we offer....

Scott

Thanks for the reply,

So if I chose to purchase this BC w/o a ripcord system, could I add the ripcord if I chose to, or is that something that must be built in during the manufacture process?

Thanks,
Ron