Zeagle Ranger

[wb5plj]

I am also a new diver and I have also just got my Ranger LTD but haven't had it in the water yet. The construction is great. I have no problem believing it will last me for a long time. One of the good points on Zeagl is the modular nature of the BC. If I puncture a bladder for instance I can just replace the bladder. I haven't seen that available on any other BC (not that I am an expert) More likely than that is going to the tropics, If I want I can buy another bladder and have a brigade, at the same time being in the mid west cold water the 44lbs of lift will come in handy, especially as I was caring 36lbs of weight last time I went in.

I have a question about it and this seems to be a good place. In my OW class we used Aqualung jacket style BC's so back inflation is new to me but I'm not particularly worried about it. The one thing I noticed is the bladder seems to be a bit lower on the back than the jacket style. This again doesn't bother me as I have heard that the trick to back inflation BC's is to have the bladder lower on the back. My question is this, I have an AquaLung Air Source that I have attached to the inflator hose (fits nicely) but with the bladder so low on the back I can only just look forward if I was using it. I can not move my head to the right at all as the hose is to short. Should I be concerned about this? is this normal? will this geometry change once in the water?

 

[CUunderH2O]

I loved my Zeagle Ranger; it was the first BC I ever owned. Over 150 dives later, I've decided to move to a BP/W because I personally like the location of the BP's & STA's weight on my upper back, especially when I'm wearing my drysuit. If you're not used to using the Ranger, it can trap air, but if you follow the instructions already mentioned in this thread, it will help you get every last bubble of air out. One other thing I didn't like about my Ranger is it took up a lot of space when packing up my gear for a vacation, and, as someone else mentioned, it is heavy. It is very rugged, and will withstand a lot of abuse, as well as different conditions. Just a hint: get some trim pockets and install them on the top cam band. It will allow you to put more weight forward, which will help your positioning in the water be more horizontal.

 

[mach2plus]

I loved my Zeagle Ranger; it was the first BC I ever owned. Over 150 dives later, I've decided to move to a BP/W because I personally like the location of the BP's & STA's weight on my upper back, especially when I'm wearing my drysuit. If you're not used to using the Ranger, it can trap air, but if you follow the instructions already mentioned in this thread, it will help you get every last bubble of air out. One other thing I didn't like about my Ranger is it took up a lot of space when packing up my gear for a vacation, and, as someone else mentioned, it is heavy. It is very rugged, and will withstand a lot of abuse, as well as different conditions. Just a hint: get some trim pockets and install them on the top cam band. It will allow you to put more weight forward, which will help your positioning in the water be more horizontal.

Hi CUunder. Do you think positioning the rear weight pouches on the top band versus the bottom tank band would achieve the same thing? Has anyone tried this?

Tx -- Mach

 

[mach2plus]

Hey Walter... actually the Ranger does not come with padding, you can add a lumbar pad if you want, and I'm not sure how a cummerbund would trap air....

The bladder on a Ranger is a bit large for most peoples needs, and that is why I brought out the Brigade - but even the large bladder won't trap air if you have your positioning down. I dive with a ranger or a brigade with 6 lbs of lead with a shorty... so I can't be trapping much!

Hi Scubatoys. The zeagle ranger cummerbund side panels are adjustable and removable. Since the ranger has a fairly substantial waist strap built into it already, what do you think about just removing the cummerbund side panels and simply using the waist band? Has anyone tried this?

TX -- Mach

 

[wb5plj]

what do you think about just removing the cummerbund side panels and simply using the waist band? Has anyone tried this?

The sholder straps are actually attached to the cummerbund panels. you would not be able to remove them without significant modification.

 

[mach2plus]

The sholder straps are actually attached to the cummerbund panels. you would not be able to remove them without significant modification.

Yep, I just went and checked and you are 100% correct. Darn, because even though I love the ranger, I could do without the cummerbund...thanks for the clarification -- Mach

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Public Safety Departments throughout the world equip their divers with RANGERs. They're that tough!

 

[mach2plus]

I loved my Zeagle Ranger; it was the first BC I ever owned. Over 150 dives later, I've decided to move to a BP/W because I personally like the location of the BP's & STA's weight on my upper back, especially when I'm wearing my drysuit. If you're not used to using the Ranger, it can trap air, but if you follow the instructions already mentioned in this thread, it will help you get every last bubble of air out. One other thing I didn't like about my Ranger is it took up a lot of space when packing up my gear for a vacation, and, as someone else mentioned, it is heavy. It is very rugged, and will withstand a lot of abuse, as well as different conditions. Just a hint: get some trim pockets and install them on the top cam band. It will allow you to put more weight forward, which will help your positioning in the water be more horizontal.

Hi again. I've seen this BP/W term and other variations of it on several other posts. What does it mean? Thanks -- Mach

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

BP/W stands for BackPlate Wing system

 

[Wayward Son]

The Zeagle BP/W harness does not use a cummerbund. I have one with an AL plate & Ranger wing rig I'm selling on ebay now. My daughter wanted it, then after it came in she decided she'd rather have a Zena, so this one is new in box. Nice rig, I'm diving one just like it & it's sweeeeeeeeeeeeetttt