Zeagle Ranger

[diversteve]

Oh, that wasnt directed to you, it is directed towards oh whats his name, the guy with a lot of Hs in his name that is some hawaiian word. If it makes any difference I am environmentally aware, I put that picture up there because i like the controversy, next week ill have a new one which youll really like!

Back to the question, I have heard from the other guys that they have had experinced weight problems, have you?

In what regard? I have a Ranger LTD with the optional mesh weight bags. It's really convenient since when I arrive at a new location, I start with what I think is the right amount of weight and can then trim it by single lb. increments or less till I get to my optimum weight. And since the shot gives more than hard weights, it's easier on your sides as well. I also have the rear mount weight pockets, but I've never used them. My buddy keeps 4lbs. in his to trim his weighting.

If you're talking about dropping weights, I've never done that except practicing. The Ripcord system is really simple to understand and rig and looks to be very reliable.

I helped a woman up a ladder once and her method of lightening her load was to pull the ripcord after every dive. I just wish she would have told me before she did it though she nearly dropped her weights on my foot. So it's a pretty easy system to work with although I don't recommend her method.

Another nice thing I'd mention about the Zeagle is that I'm pretty big, 6'4' 275 and I have no problems getting it adjusted to fit comfortably. There's a lot of adjustment in the straps and if your weight changes drastically, you can move the jacket front mounting points in or out by 1" by simply unscrewing two fittings on either side.

let me know if I can answer any more questions,

Steve

 

[ScottZeagle]

Thanks for the response, Walter. If I understand this correctly, you have never personally tried a Ranger BC,your total judgement is based on the fact that your friend couldn't sink. Did your friend pull the remote exhaust, hold the inflator over her shoulder with the deflate button pushed?? Did she have her lungs full of air, or had she exhaled?? Are you 100% positive that she was weighted correctly? As you can see, there are many variables!!!! I have dove Zeagle BCs for YEARS, yet I can't duplicate the problem, and other people I have talked to can't either. (and believe me, I talk to PLENTY of people about BCs!)

I have also heard that you must send the BC back to the factory to reinstall the ripcord, which is 100% false as well.

Some people will believe anything you tell them, even if it doesn't really have merit.

I would offer you a BC to try out as a demo, Walter, but I am afraid that your opinion has already been formed.

Maybe our new marketing slogan should be:

"Buy a Ranger - at least it ain't a HUB!!!"



Scott

 

[Bigkidneys]

Hello all. Scott, I have been contemplating buying a ranger or tech BCD for the past 2 weeks. The information on this site is tremendous! Best forum board I have ever see, bar none! My only worry is this. I live in Guam as I am in the Navy and the only 2 shops here only carry scubapro, mares, oceanic, and seaquest. They have nothing that fits into the area of looks like the ranger and I just wanted to know what the warranty if I buy one and it does not fit me for some reason and I need to return it? I am assuming that I could just send it back for the size I need but then would have to wait another 2 weeks as well. This has happened to me once already as the LDS here since we are so isolated, pretty much have control over what we can actually get without waiting 2 weeks, only to chance that it may not fit Any chance in the future that you may get a contract with one of the shops here on Guam? I can't believe with all these divers and the LDS wanting to please most, they do not carry them! The entire line looks great! I have only been here 2 months and love the diving but the fact we have such limited choices

Regards,

Jason

 

[Frenchy2005]

Is a ranger better than a halcyon, all around?

 

[ScottZeagle]

Jason,

You can have any of the dive shops in Guam call us if they are interested in being a dealer. We do not sell factory direct, but we do have dealers who sell online...

It is unfortunate that no one there sells Zeagle, however, I know that Larry at Scuba Toys will let you return a BC if it is the wrong size!

Our sizing chart at www.zeagle.com is pretty accurate, so if you find your size there, it should work out well for you! Let me know if you need further assistance!

Scott

 

[Bigkidneys]

Scott,
Thanks for the reply. I have been pondering on buying it at that site and actually my question should have been aimed at them. Sorry about that. Hopefully I can get one here soon a turn a few heads at the LDS here as most prefer back inflate BCs and the costs here are ridiculous! Thanks again.

jason

Jason,

You can have any of the dive shops in Guam call us if they are interested in being a dealer. We do not sell factory direct, but we do have dealers who sell online...

It is unfortunate that no one there sells Zeagle, however, I know that Larry at Scuba Toys will let you return a BC if it is the wrong size!

Our sizing chart at www.zeagle.com is pretty accurate, so if you find your size there, it should work out well for you! Let me know if you need further assistance!

Scott

 

[crpntr133]

I look at Walter's reply like this. The Ranger is sooo inferior that they have been in production for years and sell, I would hate to think how many, a year. I am sure that if trapping air was an issue that Zeagle would have redesigned it. The valve is as far up as it can go.
As a diver that now uses a Brigade and did rent a Ranger, the "trapped air" isn't an issue. And I still can't see from Walter's description how she couldn't drop down enough that the water pressure would force the air out. Not saying that he is wrong.

 

[jagfish]

Is a ranger better than a halcyon, all around?

They are two totally different animals.

I recommend going out and finding a way to try any BC you are considering buying (that means diving with it, not trying it on in the shop).

 

[Walter]

Did your friend pull the remote exhaust, hold the inflator over her shoulder with the deflate button pushed??

She held the inflator over her shoulder, and pushed the manual button. The BC did deflate, but not all the way because the inflator hose is not attached at the high point on the bladder. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have descended when I squeezed the bladder and forced out the trapped air.

Did she have her lungs full of air, or had she exhaled??

She exhaled. If she hadn't exhaled, she wouldn't have descended when I squeezed the bladder and forced out the trapped air.

Are you 100% positive that she was weighted correctly?

Yes. She's not the first person I've ever weighted. If she wasn't weighted correctly, she wouldn't have descended when I squeezed the bladder and forced out the trapped air. The trapped air did explain why she was overweighted before. She needed the extra weight to pull the Ranger underwater with the air that doesn't dump.

As you can see, there are many variables!!!!

I know the variables, it wasn't my first dive either. If any of the variables you mentioned were the problem, she wouldn't have descended when I squeezed the bladder and forced out the trapped air.

I have dove Zeagle BCs for YEARS, yet I can't duplicate the problem, and other people I have talked to can't either.

Interesting that you were able to read my post then go out and try to duplicate the problem and have others try to duplicate the problem then post your reply in 1 hour and 8 minutes. You must have a test dive team on standby.

If I understand this correctly, you have never personally tried a Ranger BC

Correct. If I'd been using it, I would have needed an observer to spot the problem, although I might have found it myself by removing the BC in the water. Since I was able move around her and observe from all angles, I was able to quickly spot the problem and temporarily correct it.

your total judgement is based on the fact that your friend couldn't sink.

Nope. My judgement is based on my observation of trapped air in the BC. When she didn't sink, I started looking for the reason. I was very surprised to discover the BC was poorly designed.

The Ranger is sooo inferior that they have been in production for years and sell, I would hate to think how many, a year. I am sure that if trapping air was an issue that Zeagle would have redesigned it.

It would be an easy fix, they should redesign it. Of course, most divers probably just add lead and blissfully dive unaware they are dragging extra air down with them.

The valve is as far up as it can go.

Actually, it isn't.

As a diver that now uses a Brigade and did rent a Ranger, the "trapped air" isn't an issue. And I still can't see from Walter's description how she couldn't drop down enough that the water pressure would force the air out.

Air will rise to the highest point. Once you've dumped all the air at the level of the point where the hose attaches to the bladder and below, no more will dump. Water pressure won't force it out, it will merely compress it. Of course, in this case she wasn't overweighted and therefore didn't sink, so water pressure didn't even compress the air.

 

[crpntr133]

Walter, I think you need to go look at a Ranger bladder. If the valve was any further up it would be on the top of the seam. Now THAT would be a inferior design. This has also been discussed in another thread.