Zeagle Ranger Weight Pouches

[talonraid]

So, I just bought a new Zeagle Ranger after all the great things I've read on this site about them. I only had one concern and that is keeping weights in the emergency weight release pockets. I took the time to read about the system on this website and Zeagle's manuals, so I went shopping armed with some knowledge.

From what I've read, it seems the preferred method is to purchase the yellow mesh shot weight pouches and then place soft weights in these pouches to keep them from slipping through the webbing of the rip cord system. That's great. I'm a pretty new diver and I figured this out with a little time and research.

So, while I was going over the BC with the instructor/salesperson at the LDS he tells me I'm supposed to "lace" the hard weights into the parachute webbing of the ripcord system....I pause to think. I guess it could work, but over time I think this would damage the parachute cord that makes up the laces. Also, what if I needed to add or subtract a few lbs of weight. Unlacing and re-lacing...doesn't make sense. So, I say to him that I think there are some pouches that go with the BC that you put weights into. He blinks a few times and then says, "well we do have some pouches that might work (goes pulls some off of a rack somewhere in the store) and you could buy for $37 each, but I would just lace the hard weights in." I tried to demonstrate that this would be labor intensive and the weights would even dangle out of the bottom of the pockets. No luck. I still bought the BC because it was a great deal in terms of price in my opinion, but opted not to buy the pouches from them. (They're much cheaper on ScubaToys anyway, and the ScubaToys folks have always given me good deals on stuff.)

I wonder why Zeagle doesn't just include the shot weight pouches with the BC? Or perhaps they could make amends by sending them out to all the folks who have purchased one of their BCs.

 

[ekremer]

well to answer all the points I saw in your post. You should not lace hard weights into the ripcord system, thats pretty obvious I thought when I got mine,

2. you do not actually NEED those yellow pouches. they are nice but when I take mine on vacation I leave the pouches at home and have never lost a weight. however it is nice to carry the weights seperatly in the pouch when moving stuff to the boat.

3. I beleive the ranger LTD did come with the pouches as part of the package.


now go enjoy your ranger its an awesome bc and I love mine to death.

 

[scarefaceDM]

YOU do not LACE the weights..that is the most stupidest thing I have heard. That LDS shop fella has no clue what he was talking about.

The pouches are worth it. If you are handy with a sewing machine or know someone whom is or you know a shoe marker. You can make your own.

When I had my Ranger I had two sets of pockets. One was the original mesh I got and I took that and had an other set made . One set was for Drysuit diving and the other was for wetsuit diving.

YOU never LACE weight on the ripcord...it goes in the pocket in a bag. Bag drops as you pull...If you do have hard weights or soft weight..you can pop them in. But I would put them in a bag, makes it just plain easier.

Now dive the hell out of it...

 

[markr]

The only time you might actually "need" the weight pouches would be if you were using small weights. One or two pound weights might slip past the rip cord. I know five and six pound weights don't.

 

[SteveAD]

Agree with Ekremer, the yellow pockets are entirely optional. nothing bigger than a 1# shot bag will slip through (how often have you even seen a 1#weight) the yeelow pockets are primarily for convenience in transporting the weights and simplicity of loading (one pocket in each side).

The individual who advised you to lace whatever thru whatever, obviously didn't have a clue and unfortuneatly gives all dive shop personel a black eye. I don't employ anyone at my shop who isn't at least a divemaster, but I've seen too many shops who employ folks who aren't even divers.

 

[talonraid]

The individual who advised you to lace whatever thru whatever, obviously didn't have a clue and unfortuneatly gives all dive shop personel a black eye. I don't employ anyone at my shop who isn't at least a divemaster, but I've seen too many shops who employ folks who aren't even divers.

I agree completely. The main thing that disappointed me with this guy is he's actually an experienced (over ten years instructing) instructor. I think I would have appreciated an "I don't know but let me go find out," answer over trying to B.S. me.

 

[pacchill]

When I first got my Ranger, I tuned my weights and just some duct tape to make one big long weight to stay in place. When they were loose in the pockets they would shift and mess with my trim. After diving that way for a long time, a buddy gave me the “yellow thingies“. I dived them maybe 4 times, then I switched to a back plate and wing lol. They worked great, but so did my tape set up. If I had not of gotten the pouches free, I would have never used them. Great BC too by the way, I just out grew it with my needs and wants to enter the world of Tech.
As far as the dive shop guy telling you to lace your weights... yeah, find a new place to shop lol. I worked at a dive show a few years back, my boss made us all learn and know all of our products. That is just cazy to hear! At least you have a head on ya to see past that fella.
Dive Safe

 

[MichaelBaranows]

It might only be the shop I use but when I got my Stellio it came with the weight pouchs. I am thinking about get another set of pouchs so I can just leave one set in my boat. I have the larger pouchs so I will most likely get the smaller ones.

 

[DiveMaven]

I have to agree that I was disappointed in the sales guy more than anything. The fact that he didn't know that the beauty of the Zeagle weight system is that you simply unzip the pocket and drop the weights in, baffles me. Most people can dive their whole lives with never having to pull the rip cord, though since relacing only takes like 2 minutes max, it's no big deal if you do.

I agree that if you need 1 or 2 pound weights (particularly soft weights) that having some kind of a pouch is a good idea to keep them from potentially falling through the lacing.

 

[ScottZeagle]

So, while I was going over the BC with the instructor/salesperson at the LDS he tells me I'm supposed to "lace" the hard weights into the parachute webbing of the ripcord system....I pause to think. I guess it could work, but over time I think this would damage the parachute cord that makes up the laces. Also, what if I needed to add or subtract a few lbs of weight. Unlacing and re-lacing...doesn't make sense. So, I say to him that I think there are some pouches that go with the BC that you put weights into. He blinks a few times and then says, "well we do have some pouches that might work (goes pulls some off of a rack somewhere in the store) and you could buy for $37 each, but I would just lace the hard weights in." I tried to demonstrate that this would be labor intensive and the weights would even dangle out of the bottom of the pockets. No luck.

This story is equally sad and amusing.

Congrats on your new BC...the others have answered your questions as well (if not better) than I could, so I will just continue to shake my head in disbelief while laughing....:shakehead

Dive safe and thanks for choosing Zeagle!

Scott