Hey guys, have a question and was wondering if you could help me out. I'm a begining diver and I am about to make my first equipment purchase. I have done tons of reseach and have settled on a few things. I want to go with a Zeagle Ranger for my BCD, and a Scuba Pro s600 for my reg. Is there any incompatablity issues I should worry about? Is mixing different brands of equipment a bad idea? The guys at my dive shop told me to just go Scuba Pro, but that was pretty much all they sold and I thought he was just trying to get a sale. Any advice would be apprecated. Thanks
Simon-
June 13th, 2011, 05:11 AM
Over the years I have bits of kit from loads of different manufacturers with no issues.
For servicing purposes, you would need to find somewhere that could service all of your kit, or be prepared to deposit kit at various authorised service outlets.
I am sure the Scuba Pro route was a sales pitch, but you can't blame him for trying. He probably didn't know there were other makes ;)
Bubbletrubble
June 13th, 2011, 05:19 AM
There is one reason for making sure that your second stages and first stage reg are all of the same brand. This simplifies servicing and repair. All you have to do is find a reg tech that is authorized to service that one particular brand. Compare this to a situation in which you have a Scubapro first stage, Zeagle second stage (primary), and an Atomic Aquatics octo. It would be rather inconvenient to have to take the reg to 2 or 3 different shops just to have the entire rig serviced.
I can't think of a good reason to ensure that your BCD is the same brand as your reg setup.
It sounds like the dive shop employee was just trying to make a sale. That's her job. If she didn't give you any compelling reasons to go with Scubapro gear, then she wasn't doing her job very well. My buddies have been very happy with their Scubapro gear over the years. A few of them have the S600/MK25. Very nice, reliable, high performance regs. One of my buddies really loves his Scubapro Knighthawk BCD. Over the years, Scubapro has been very generous about fixing/replacing plastic buckles and ripped seams on weight-integrated pockets...at no charge and with about a one week turnaround time on the repair. That's excellent customer service in my book.
I've heard good things about Zeagle BCDs, too.
Before you buy anything, I'd recommend trying out several brands/models in the water on a demo dive -- that goes for both a BCD and reg.
As far as regs go, when looking at the purchase price, consider the cost of servicing in the long-term. If you'll be adhering to the manufacturer-specified servicing guidelines (to maintain the warranty and/or free-overhaul-parts-for-life policy), you should know that Apeks and Aqualung require overhauls every 2 years (with relatively inexpensive reg inspections on the in-between years), whereas Scubapro requires annual overhauls.
Hope this info helps...
Ozgarr
June 13th, 2011, 05:58 AM
Which first stage would you be rigging with the the s600? Both the scubapro Mk17/Mk25 are solid performers, and I suspect there is no appreciable difference between the two, if cold water performance isn't being considered. The Mk25 is more expensive, has swivel port but Mk17 is more compact and cheaper, minus the swivel.
DevonDiver
June 13th, 2011, 06:03 AM
I want to go with a Zeagle Ranger for my BCD, and a Scuba Pro s600 for my reg.
Good choices. The Ranger gets very good reviews as a jacket style BCD. I use Mk25/S600 for both recreational and technical diving - they perform very well and comfortable to breath from. I find that Scubapro regs are easy to get serviced globally.
Is there any incompatablity issues I should worry about?
There's no 'link' between BCD and Regulator, other than the LPI. Most regs use a standard LPI, so unless you go down the AIR2 route for your AAS/Octo, then you don't need to worry about that. Incompatibility isn't an issue.
Is mixing different brands of equipment a bad idea?
Nope, it is a postively great idea. Some manufacturers excel at certain things, but suck at others. I love scubapro regs, but am not really enamoured by their BCDs. The opposite is true for Zeagle... great BCDs, but their regs wouldn't be my first choice. Same is also true for fins, masks etc etc.
The guys at my dive shop told me to just go Scuba Pro, but that was pretty much all they sold and I thought he was just trying to get a sale.
That sounds very likely..... and lazy on their behalf.
My advice is to check for online deals.... and don't overlook the huge volumes of scuba kit available on Ebay and Craigslist.
Kern
June 13th, 2011, 06:16 AM
The Ranger gets very good reviews as a jacket style BCD.
The Ranger is actually a modular back inflate BCD. Wings & other accessories can all be changed.
Nope, it is a postively great idea. Some manufacturers excel at certain things, but suck at others. I love scubapro regs, but am not really enamoured by their BCDs. The opposite is true for Zeagle... great BCDs, but their regs wouldn't be my first choice. Same is also true for fins, masks etc etc.
I think Zeagle regs are as good as anything from Scubapro, Apeks, etc.
TartanFrog
June 13th, 2011, 08:03 AM
Mixing equipment should not be an issue but as mentioned for servicing convenience I would not mix the primary, secondary and AAS regs. I use Atomic regs but I have a Cressi BCD. I also have a mix of fins, snorkels and masks from Cressi, Atomic and others. As recommended by others try them on a demo dive if at all possible. For me personally, I prefer to be able to have my equipment serviced locally. In my area that leaves a lot of options! There are several dive shops within about 15 miles of me which combined probably carry every major dive equipment brand available here in the US. Depending on which part of FL you reside in, you should have a lot of options as well.
Krazytomdiver
June 13th, 2011, 02:07 PM
As a dive guide,for ten years I been diving Scubapro MK25/S600/R390/Air2 with a Knighthawk BCD,Uwatec Prime2 Tri console & Suunto Mozzie wrist mount computers, Apollo fins & mask,anything is black. The only problem has been my Suunto computer which was replaced twice.(free) This not a recommendation especially because this equipment so expensive,but it's what works for me as a working dive guide.
Good luck,dive safe,have fun.
"living life without a hard bottom"
KT
elmer fudd
June 14th, 2011, 01:34 AM
Hey guys, have a question and was wondering if you could help me out. I'm a begining diver and I am about to make my first equipment purchase. I have done tons of reseach and have settled on a few things. I want to go with a Zeagle Ranger for my BCD, and a Scuba Pro s600 for my reg. Is there any incompatablity issues I should worry about? Is mixing different brands of equipment a bad idea? The guys at my dive shop told me to just go Scuba Pro, but that was pretty much all they sold and I thought he was just trying to get a sale. Any advice would be apprecated. Thanks
I've got a Zeagle Ranger and while it's not a bad BC, it probably wouldn't be my first choice. It's a great BC if you plan on spending a lot of time on the surface, and I don't mean that in jest. If you anticipate long surface swims or lots of time on the surface waiting for a boat, then the 44 lb wing on the Ranger will give you plenty of lift, (the wing on the Zeagle Tech is just ridiculously big). Myself, I like being as streamlined as possible, so I only want a wing big enough to keep my head above water. The wing on the Ranger though is suitable for either singles or doubles and the weight system on it is pretty good as well. It's also a very comfortable BC and while some people don't like the cummerbund I never had a problem with it.
A couple other downsides to the Ranger IMO are the pockets and the buoyancy. I found the pockets very hard to use, especially when the integrated weight system is being used. Also, at one point I decided to sink it in my bathtub to determine it's buoyancy. It took about 4 lbs of lead to push it under. That's 4 extra pounds of lead you'll need to carry on you.
I've also been diving a Mk25/G250V for over a year now and I love it. I really notice a difference compared to my Zeagle Envoy past 100'.
DivemasterDennis
June 14th, 2011, 10:14 AM
No problem mixing manufacturers. Standard connectors allow you to do that with nearly all equipment. Good for you for equiping yourself. Use what you are comfortable in and what meets the needs of the type of diving you will do. You have chosen good quality all purpose items. Store them properly, have them serviced at least annually, and they will serve you well for a long time.
DivemasterDennis
Dr Neil
June 14th, 2011, 11:55 AM
Zeagle Ranger is a good BC. Make sure you know how to ditch the weights if you use the integrated system. Just be aware that if you pull the release cord, there is no putting the weights back.
freewillie
June 14th, 2011, 04:50 PM
Zeagle Ranger is a good BC. Make sure you know how to ditch the weights if you use the integrated system. Just be aware that if you pull the release cord, there is no putting the weights back.
I dive the smaller version of the Ranger called the Stiletto. Slightly less lift but at 38 lbs not lacking much either, but is overall lighter and better travel BC.
The pockets are little awkward but I only put things in that don't think I need during dive like my car keys. I will put in a flashlight if I want to bring along for dive but may not need. If definitely using the light then prefer to clip to BC rather than put in pocket.
Zeagle has this great feature were you can hook up your garden hose to the inflator hose and flush the BC, make care and maintenence easy. The weights can be replaced but rethreading the ripcord is a pain. Some divers love the feature, others hate it. More of a personal choice.
As for mixing and matching BC and regs, you only have to if you like both brands. There is no unwritten scuba code says all your equipment has to match. More of an LDS sales pitch, but that is a subject of another thread.;)
CoreyHodges
June 14th, 2011, 11:34 PM
I agree with most of the replies on this post so far. Mixing and matching is great except for first and second stages (simply for servicing purposes.) Choosing the right reg is a very important decision to make seeing as it is what you breathe out of and I assume you like to breathe. The top two brands that seem to have the best reputation are Atomic and ScubaPro. Usually the decision on which one of these two depends on your LDC and which one they service. Where I live, its either one or the other. I have used both and am extremely happen with each. But the LDC I use only services Atomic, so thats what I went with. I believe the Atomic reg is a bit easier to service just because there is an extra piston in the ScubaPro that adds a little time and cost (but thats just what I hear, I dont do any servicing myself.) As far as BCs, its whatever feels comfortable to YOU and YOU only. What kind of diving will you be doing, have you used a backfloat before, have you tried a BP/W? In my opinion this is the second most important piece of gear to purchase. Zeagle has a great reputation, but there are lots of different brands that excel in this area. I personally use a Zeagle Escape. It is a little smaller and more streamline than the Ranger with works out will with being trim underwater and I travel easily with it as well. Unfortunately, they quit making this model. If I were to buy another BC, it would be a Hollis BP/W (that day will come, but probably not for another year.) I have been diving for only about a year and half and have learned not to just to buy a bunch of gear at once, but to be patient, try stuff out, and only buy the best you can afford when you are sure thats what you want. Don't skimp on what you buy, scuba diving is a stuff sport and you get what you pay for. Hope this helps and welcome to the dive community!!!!
Kern
June 15th, 2011, 12:33 AM
A Ranger with a 35lb wing.
Zeagle Brigade BCD discounts on sale Zeagle (http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=ZeagleBrigade)
