Dive Rite TransPac

[TheOsprey]

I've been looking at picking up a Zeagle Ranger for a while now. The other day a friend of mine tells me that he really likes the Dive Rite TransPac and I might want to look into one of those instead.

For what I've ready they both seem like excellent BC's and the price is similar. Can anyone shed some light on this. I know plenty about the ranger. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the TransPac. Any info would be appreciated.

[NSDiver]

The TransPac is an excellent BC - I had one for awhile before switching the soft pack out for a SS backplate. The great thing about the TransPac is that it's modular and easy to customize, much like a BP/W. Lots of D-Rings to hang stuff, and comfort make it a good choice. After moving to a plate though, I won't go back to the soft pack.

Oh yeah, and Dive Rite makes the most excellent tank bands - you won't ever have the least bit of tank slippage.

So, if what you're looking for is a nice back inflate, you can't go wrong with the TransPac.

Also, I don't know much about Zeagle's products, other than what I've heard.

-Nick

[Jarrett]

I have a Zeagle Brigade (Ranger with a smaller bladder) and recently bought the Transpac. I did because I like the idea of being able to add or remove the parts and I need or don't need at the time and because I am a warm water diver that dives in little to no wetsuit, I like the soft pack versus the hard metal back plates.

On my first pool session with it, I didn't like it. Wing (Rec) was too big, the padding was a little cumbersome, the 32lb weight pockets were overkill for my needs, etc. I immediately wanted to sell the rig and go back to the Brigade. But this weekend, just for fun I stripped the Transpac apart and removed all the items I didn't like such as the padding, extra D-rings, and weight pockets. I ordered some XS Scuba 5lb weight pockets and a Dive Rite Travel wing.

I have recieved and installed everything but the wing, but so far I am really liking this setup a lot. Much smaller and more streamlined than my Brigade. I hope to install the Travel wing and dive it this weekend.

[PhilEllis]

I've been looking at picking up a Zeagle Ranger for a while now. The other day a friend of mine tells me that he really likes the Dive Rite TransPac and I might want to look into one of those instead.

For what I've ready they both seem like excellent BC's and the price is similar. Can anyone shed some light on this. I know plenty about the ranger. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the TransPac. Any info would be appreciated.

The Dive Rite Transpac has been our most popular BC for the past two years. I personally dive one and so does every instructor and dive master in my store. We have sold hundreds and hundreds of them and, as I was telling a local customer on
Saturday, it is only one of a very few products that we have never had a customer return. It is a solid system. If you can't find a suitable deal locally, give this link a try. We will get one out to you immediately.

Dive Rite Transpac Complete System

Thanks
Phil Ellis

[divestoclimb]

I love mine for single tanks. With heavy doubles it feels a little less stable than a backplate (yes, using the doubles plates).

As others have said, don't get an overkill wing/weighting system/etc. or you'll hate it. I made the same mistake. Total customization results in the burden of choice, and some choices are better than others depending on your tank(s), weight requirements, exposure suit, etc.

[Tavi]

I tried the Ranger and the TranspacII when I was shopping for my first BC. I liked the Tranpac II with the Rec wing much better than the Zeagle.

Now my Transpac (with a travel wing) is my pool BC. All of my open water diving is with a BP and Wing. I have several, which one I use depends on conditions.

[cancun mark]

I have dived the ranger, the transpac and many BP/wing combinations. I find the Ranger a little cumbersome and very heavy to get out of the water. The transpack is great, but I have moved more to simple SS BP and wing. It is just less complicated.

I would say; see if you can get to try a couple of different rigs before you buy.

[GeorgeC]

I own the TransPac and if you plan to do any traveling the lack of a solid plate makes a big difference when lugging your luggage around. Why carry an extra 8 or so pounds around when you can add it at your destination.

I moved the 16lb pockets further back on my waist strap to trim me a bit better and “locked” them into place with D-Ring webbing clips. It also stopped the weight from sliding around on my belt.

Once I made this small mod. the setup works very well.

[EvaL]

Hi. I purchased the transpac II recently with venture wing for warm water (vacation) diving and will switch to rec wing for local cold water diving. The advantage of the transpac is modularity - you can switch air cells, add or remove weight pouches, tool pouches and D rings to suit the dive and nearly everything is attached on belts, which are adjustable/movable. This is probably why many pros/tech divers use it. Only downside may be the higher price of the system. When I was shopping for a new BC, the two I considered were the Transpac and Zeagle Ranger. In the end I got the transpac because it was on sale (the price was cheaper than the Zeagle's). I have friends who highly recommend the Zeagle Ranger as well, so I think you won't go wrong with either. I understand the Zeagle Ranger is heavier and bulkier than transpac with travel or venture wings, which makes it worse for travel, but I see some retailers (such as Scubatoys) allow you to purchase different-sized aircell matched to the Zeagle Ranger called Zeagle Brigade, which is less bulky, and Zeagle has come up with many pouches and add-on gear as well. If you can, I'd try out the BCDs in the different set-ups you're going to use, see how comfortable they are and ease of use before purchasing. Good luck!

[bradshsi]

My buddy and I both have Transpacs. We use them pretty much in their out of the box setup with the only additions being the Rec Wing air cell and a crotch strap. (we use a separate DUI Weight and Trim system to hold our weights).

We like the modularity and the build quality. The Rec wing is not the best for single tanks, but once you get used to it it works just fine.

One feature which is a must have is a crotch strap. Without it you tend to slip out of the harness at the surface. Plus it help stabilize the harness so that it is rock solid underwater.