Yet another BC quandary, DUI - Ranger

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DiverInAk

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Puget Sound, Washington
OK, time to get your opinions ready and let 'em fly one more time - (probably not the last time though).

My problem is this: I like what I've read about a Zeagle Ranger. The problem is, even though my local dive shop is a Zeagle dealer, they do not have any Zeagle gear in the shop! I suspect the owner had a problem at one time, or the margins are lower.

He did say that if I wanted one, he would order it. He is pushing me towards a DUI BCS. Not a bad rig, but I'm not sold yet. I have tried on the DUI, not in water yet. I can't even touch the Zeagle, so I'm asking....

Any particular reason for one over the other?

Thanks, David
 
I just bought a new Ranger at a shop that also sold DUI. I have never dove one of the DUI BCs, but had dove a Ranger several times. I liked the design, look and feel of the Ranger better, but opinions vary and you may not. Best advice I can give you is try both and pick one. I don't think you'll go wrong with either.
 
DiverInAK,
Warhammer is right, you can't go wrong with either choice. Two questions for you though:

1) Will the dive shop order you a Ranger without obligating you to purchase it?

2) If not how far is the nearest shop that will extend proper customer service to you?
 
Good question regarding obligation to buy. I would think he would be willing to accomodate, but Alaska is a funny place that way. There is only one other shop in town, and I don't believe they carry Zeagle. I was going to inquire but they are so small they are closed on weekends, probably out diving..

I have been dealing with the owner exclusively, and unfortunately he's out for the next week, testing skis in Sun Valley. I guess it sucks to own a sports shop eh?

I'll have to inquire about ordering vs's obligation to buy. I do like the lift on the DUI. And the way it's configured. But I also like the Zeagle's options, reputation and single rip-cord release vs's the DUI's dual release. I think I'll have to negotiate the purchase until AFTER I've ordered and received my new TLS350 and had a chance to dive with both BC's.

If the owner won't accomodate that, then I'll certainly have to look elsewhere. Sounds reasonable to me.

 
There is only one "authorized" dealer in the whole great state of Alaska.

Sunshine Sports
1231 W. Northern Lights
Anchorage, AK 99503
Telephone: 907-272-6444

If that isn't your dealer, then I'd definately give Zeagle a call prior to buying a Ranger from any other place in Alaska. Reason being, if they aren't an authorized dealer, then Zeagle won't honor the warranty.

But even though I'm quite fond of my new Ranger and wouldn't trade it for any other on the market, the DUI may be a better choice for you. You noted the single RIP cord on the Ranger. I'm not so sure that would be a good thing, especially in your case since you'll most likely be doing the bulk of your diving in a drysuit and be carrying alot of weight. If you had pockets that could be ditched independantly, you could ditch just one and not lose it all. That would be an advantage in my opinion, especially when carrying alot of weight.

As far as lift goes, the Ranger has 44lbs of lift on all sizes except for the extra small, which has 20. It can also be upgraded to a 65lb bladder. And the Ranger can handle single or double cylinders.

The DUI is available with either a 35# lift or 58#. And can also handle single or double cylinders. But I think they offer a "single cylinder" only bladder, so be sure you get one that can handle doubles, if that's in your future.

If the store doesn't stock the Rangers, then he may or may not allow you to try it and then buy it. Most shops I've dealt with will sell you a BC, or anything else for that matter, and then allow you to exchange it for something else if you want. But I don't know about special orders.
 
All good points to be sure. And you're right on regarding the weight. My previous dives with a Neoprene dry suit I was carrying 46lbs.

I'm hoping to shed a little with a steel tank and a shell suit, but with the amount of undergarment required for winter diving I'll probably still be carrying at least 40lbs around the waist.

As for the double rigs. I posted a question to DUI regarding the standard bag. The cost for the twin bag is almost as much as the BC itself :( I wanted to know if you could rig the twin with a single. How does that work with the Ranger?

I like features in both BC's, that's why it's a hard decision without having both available to compare against. It's really a matter of fit, which is impossible when you only have one to try on.

I haven't heard any negatives regarding the DUI BCS, other than a review done in 98' posted on Divernet. http://www.divernet.co.uk/gear/dtst1098.htm#dui

But I imagine it's design has been refined since then.

 
The Ranger can be fitted with either a single or double, on all except the xs that is. Twins attach by way of steel bands that attach through metal grommets on the back of the BC. You can also get band extensions for the BC. I've yet to see a Ranger in action sporting doubles, so I can't say how well it works with them.

Don't know if the DUI BC supports both from the same bladdder or not, but I'd assume you could use a single with the double bladder. Could be wrong though.
 
Do you get down to Seattle ever? My buddies all keep their dive gear at my house and we have an XL Ranger hanging in the garage right now. You are more than welcome to come look it over and I'm sure it would be OK with him if I took you for a swim in it. (I live on the Sound, just a few blocks from the Edmonds Underwater Park.) That is if you can dive in a XL sized BC. I know it's far away but we get tons of AK people down here all the time.
 
Well I appreciate the offer, but I don't get to Seattle very often. Usually I'm just passing through to somewhere else.

Now if I had a dive buddy that could put me up, and plan a day of diving.... I could be persuaded :egrin:

I think I'm going to try the DUI. I don't think I can really go too wrong with either one, but the DUI is very flexible and comfortable. It's also proven, in that the instructors here have been using them with out problems.

One thing I can state, doing anything outdoors in Alaska often takes gear of a higher caliber than most. If these guys have been using the DUI BCS for the last year or two instructing as well as recreational diving, then they should be just fine for me. This BC is the most configurable BC I've seen!

 
DiverInAk,
I have one single concern regarding the DUI B.C. I tried the B.C. in question when it first came out here in San Diego. Dick Long the Owner/Founder of DUI, Dick Long showed me the unit and how modular it was with it's velcro adjustments. My concern is what happens when the velcro weakens like velcro has a tendancy to do? I would recommend you load the B.C. up with weights and a cylinder and then pick it up as you would from the ground to don it. If you don't hear velco giving, then go with the B.C. and don't think twice about it.
 

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