Zeagle Tech vs. Ranger

[mwilding]

I was wondering if anyone has dived with both BCD's and what their experiences were. I'd like to know a couple of people's opinions on the differences between the two...

 

[scubahorse]

Tech has 65-LB lift capacity Ballistic bladder, Ranger has 44.
Tech has 2 Stainless D-rings on vest, Ranger has 2.
Ranger has 5 Trim Colors available in bladder pleat, Tech has only black.
...
Ranger is lighter
...
Cheaper
...

What else?

 

[caveseeker7]

Both current models have 4 SS D rings on the shoulders. As far as I remember the Tech always had, the Ranger used to have two.

The Ranger has a single waist buckle w/ pull straps and a depth-compensating cummerbund.
The Tech has two of the waist buckles, no cummerbund.

 

[DeepTechScuba]

Both of these B/Cs have interchangable components, therefore what is peculiar to each of them will be those parts of the main harnass that are sewn in.

You can order any sized backinflation wings that you like and wear them with each one. That is generally true of all Zeagle B/Cs except a few.

The Ranger has a velcrow cumberbun. If you like cumberbuns, then get this one.

The Tech has a double buckled waist belt with no cumberbun. The double belts let you hitch it up more firmly. The tech also has more D rings on it, particularly along the back, where you might want to hang an argon bottle.

Neither of these B/Cs works very well with double tanks. But both of them can be adapted to doubles. These are soft-fabric backs, not backplates.

If you want a tech B/C you should look at OMS, DiveRite, or Halcyon. Otherwise, these Zeagle B/Cs are great for single tank applications.

 

[DiveTub]

DeepTechScuba once bubbled...


Neither of these B/Cs works very well with double tanks. But both of them can be adapted to doubles. These are soft-fabric backs, not backplates.

If you want a tech B/C you should look at OMS, DiveRite, or Halcyon. Otherwise, these Zeagle B/Cs are great for single tank applications.

Thats rubbish
I have dived both the Tech and Ranger with twin 100cft Faber Steels and a 75cft stage bottle, both are good BCD's for carrying twin tanks, the bladders from 55# upwards provide more then enough lift, Twin bands secure very nicely onto both BCD's.

However my preference for twins will always be a BP and Wing.
Have a look at Zeagle Metal Gear there are pics in my signature.

 

[SimonN]

Sydney_Diver once bubbled...
Thats rubbish

Hate to disagree, but it is not rubbish.

I have dived both the Tech and Ranger with twin 100cft Faber Steels and a 75cft stage bottle, both are good BCD's for carrying twin tanks, the bladders from 55# upwards provide more then enough lift, Twin bands secure very nicely onto both BCD's.

But the tanks roll around too much, which doesn't happen with a hard back i.e. backplate (or backpack).

You can dive them with twins - much like I used to dive my SP classic (the one in the picture in my profile) with twins - but they are not excellent.

55lbs lift is all you will ever need... unless you dive with steel stages and a neoprene drysuit (or wetsuit).

However my preference for twins will always be a BP and Wing.
Have a look at Zeagle Metal Gear there are pics in my signature.

But, the Zeagle wing has to be secured to the backplate in a weird and complicated way so will not work with other backplates.

Why complicate it?

KISS.

(Sydney_Diver's best buddy is a salesman for CBI who import Mares and Zeagle to Australia BTW).

 

[DiveTub]

Zeagle, ScubaPro, Oceanic and half dozen other manufacturers make soft packs that will take twins without any problems, however for twin tank diving. I would recommend a BP over a soft pack anyday.

The Zeagle is an excellent choice for a soft pack if you want to go this way, they are well made and strong. From my experience the tanks do not "roll” anymore than they do with a BP and Wing. Zeagle has made the bands are very secure on the SofPacks. I prefered the Zeagle Tech as it is very clean down the front.

Simon
Zeagle uses a great connection system to secure they Wing to the BP, one that is strong and reliable, very easy to connect and disconnect the wing from the BP

Oh and Simon I also dive Scubapro,Poseidon, and Oceanic

 

[SimonN]

Sydney_Diver once bubbled...
So what?

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=excellent

"exceptionally good of its kind. "

The Zeagle is not. It is simply usable.

The Zeagle is an excellent choice for a soft pack if you want to go this way, they are well made and strong

But not as strong as a SS backplate and one piece harness.

From my experience the tanks do not "roll” anymore than they do with a BP and Wing.

IME tanks do not roll with a BP+W, so maybe there is a setup issue.

Zeagle has made the bands are very secure on the SofPacks. I prefered the Zeagle Tech as it is very clean down the front.

As clean as a BP+W?

Zeagle uses a great connection system to secure they Wing to the BP, one that is strong and reliable, very easy to connect and disconnect the wing from the BP

I'm sure it is fantastic, but it is fixing a problem that does not exist.

 

[DeepTechScuba]

I would never want to jump into a brawl between two Auzzies!

Having said that, I must cast my humble vote with SimonN.

Zeagle B/Cs in my opinion are the best in the world for single tank applications. For twin tank applications, Zeagle B/Cs are marginal. They do in fact work. However I could not recommend them over any backplate B/C like DiveRite, OMS, or Halcyon. My Zeagle Tech works fine for twin tanks, but not great.

Isn't the world record deep diver from Australia? And didn't he indeed use an OMS B/C on his dive to 1000+ fsw?

That probably says who the best is, in terms of B/Cs, if you really plan to dive with twin tanks.

 

[SimonN]

DeepTechScuba once bubbled...
I would never want to jump into a brawl between two Auzzies!

Don't worry, I'm a pom so, apart from having the great pleasure of living here, I don't brawl, I spar.

Having said that, I must cast my humble vote with SimonN.

You are indeed a smart man

Isn't the world record deep diver from Australia?

John Bennett? No, he's an expat pom as well. He has a technical diving centre in Port Douglas a bit north of Cairns though.

And didn't he indeed use an OMS B/C on his dive to 1000+ fsw?

Yes.

That probably says who the best is, in terms of B/Cs, if you really plan to dive with twin tanks.

Nah, just says who he was sponsored by. It did show that OMS was up to the job though. They were also the only company that would build torches for him that were up to the job.

If you ever get the chance to talk or listen too John, do so, he is a really down to earth nice guy.