Zeagle Ranger

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Kayla

Kayla

Contributor
Messages
3,340
Reaction score
22
Location
Washington (State!)
# of dives
I'm a Fish!
On Saturday, after trying on what seemed like hundreds of BC's, I finally ended up with a womens style Zeagle Ranger with lumbar pad. I have not yet had a chance to try it out, but I'm wondering if anyone else has, and what they think of it? Thanks in advance.... :D


Kayla:)
 
I thought the only women's Zeagle was the Zena...but I was wrong after looking at the web site:

"The ability Zeagle BC's have to adjust torso length makes it possible for Zeagle BC's to fit women's bodies better than less adjustable systems can, and on our heaviest BC's (the Tech, Ranger, 911, SAR, and Tech Pac) we have available special narrower shoulder sections with smaller buckles designed particularly to fit women.

The Zena BC was designed by women here at Zeagle to be an excellent women's BC for warm to temperate water and for travel. It adjusts for hip and waist size independently and has a stretchable front panel that zips closed. The fit, comfort and security are outstanding."

Since I am a guy, I can only comment on the regular men's version. I find it is a solid well-build BCD. Love the back inflation and mix 'n match sizing adjustability. ALso the Canadian version has Maple Leaf instead of the Star 'n Stripes which I appreciate. You may find larger weight will not fall through the webbing in the integrated weigh pockets but for security you may consider the optional yellow weight pockets (2 sizes). I find the BCD "pops" up on the surface while verrtical and am trying the optional crotch strap. The rubberized cylinder straps holds my 95 cu ft PST quite securely without wetting. A bunch of divers from one dive shop around here dives mostly Zeagles. Good choice!:thumb:
 
... I thought the same thing. I didn't know much about the company until going to their booth this weekend. The guy that helped me was super nice, and I tired on three different BC's beofre deciding on the one that I purchased. I agree that the mix-n- match sizing is great, it allows for the best fit, and the smaller shoulder straps for women are great. I have the stars n' stripes on mine, but my dad, who has the 911 version bought his in Canada and he proudly sports the maple leaf.

I'm also wondering what the price is for a BC like mine... because I bought it at a dive fair, I'm not sure if the price was lowered or not..... :)


Kayla:)
 
My experience with the men's Ranger: bulky, unstreamlined, lots of inherent positive buoyancy requiring extra ballast. Solidly built, very durable, probably last a very long time with proper care. No longer dive one. ZG
 
Very comfortable, very well built, unusable pockets (don't need em anyway), floats like a cork (REALLY). I took 4lbs off my belt when I switched to a BP.
 
Ditto what's already been said for the men's: Comfortable, bulky, traps air, quality craftmanship.
 
Hi Kayla

Were you offered a "try dive"? I can't believe that you've purchased a new BCD without having the opportunity to see how you go in the water.:crazyeyes

I've heard mixed opinions on Zeagle products here in Oz, though of course I can say the same for pretty much all other brands. However, the opinion that runs true throughout any BCD related discussion regardless of brand is that you should insist upon trying a bcd, even in the pool to see how it fits when in the water.

If you've not used the BCD already I would suggest that you take it back to where you purchased it and request a try dive or to be put in contact with somewhere to do this.

Good luck, I don't dive Zeagle but I was sure glad to be offered the opportunity of diving a number of BCD's before parting with my hard-earned cash...

Regards

Clinton (Air Pig)
 
I don't have the Ranger as I don't need nearly that much lift but I do have the Concept II Sport (which I don't see on their webpage anymore). It's very much like the Escape but my weight dump is not the ripcord style.
I really like my Zeagle and think you will enjoy yours too but I am surprised you didn't try it out first. My LDS gave me one to try and that's what sold me on it.
I have recently removed the lumbar pad and am ordering the crotchstrap to try that out. I would definitely buy a Zeagle again.

Diverlady
 
My wife and I just did our first dives in our new rangers last weekend. Get a crotch strap or you'll be pulling it down the whole dive.
 
Granted, I can't compare it to the holy BP/W, but...

I love my Ranger. Fits like a glove comfortable in all circumstances.

In the water hovering horizontal is effortless.
On the surface just a little lean back and you float like a manatee.
Even on the long walk down to the water it's comfortable as a backpack.

I adore the ripcord system. I haven't deployed it, thankfully, but for in my living room with 2 pounders just for a test and for fun. The thing I love about it is the ease of loading without dealing with velcro or snaps or tracks or any nonsence, you throw a couple of bags in a pocket and zip it up.

I don't even find the gear pockets that hard to access at depth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

Back
Top Bottom