Zeagle Escape or Zeagle Ranger????

[firedogut]

The Zeagle Escape http://www.zeagle.com/bc2001_escape.htm

The Zeagle Ranger http://www.zeagle.com/bc2001_ranger.htm


looking at which BC to buy. both seem like great BC's. torn on which one to get.

[DiveTub]

Both are champion BCD's what sort of diving are you planning ?
If you only travel to dive the escape is lighter and easier to pack
If you do most of your diving locally I would go the Ranger, this BCD will handle anything you can throw at it

[metaldector]

as always. I depends on your needs. The Escape has a few Delron D rings, while the Ranger has 6 Stainless Steel D rings. The Ranger D rings can be adjusted for positioning, the Escape can't. So if you're going to carry a lot of stuff, lights, catchbags, reels, you might find the Escape limited. I dive a Ranger so lean that way. You can find these on E-bay.

[herman]

I have a Ranger and a Scout and I have to agree with the others. It depends on where and how you intend to dive. If you are going to travel (air) a lot and do mostly warm, easy diving I would go with the Escape, it's a lot lighter and packs smaller. The main reason I have the Scout is because I found my Ranger just too much BC to fly with and I did not need the 45lbs of lift of the Ranger when diving in warm waters. If you are going to do more serious diving or need a lot of lift, then maybe the Ranger or another BC may be a better choice.

[firedogut]

most diving in texas and some trips to florida and places with reefs.
most lakes here don't get colder then 54-56 and that durring dec-jan.

[PurduEE]

as always. I depends on your needs. The Escape has a few Delron D rings, while the Ranger has 6 Stainless Steel D rings. The Ranger D rings can be adjusted for positioning, the Escape can't. So if you're going to carry a lot of stuff, lights, catchbags, reels, you might find the Escape limited.

Actually, I have both and the Ranger only has 2 more rings than the escape (right and left shoulder/chest) and the ability to add a crotch-strap. The 2 extra rings on the Ranger are adjustable to a small degree, but the webbing they ride on are only ~6-8 inches long. If the chest D-rings are a big deal for you, any Zeagle rep can have Zeagle make you an Escape with steel rings, more rings, etc.. I have an Escape and a Ranger, and I use the ring on the upper right on the Ranger a lot. I eventually had my LDS get a replacement upper piece for my Escape (the whole thing comes apart) with metal D-rings and a chest D-ring on the right side (sliding, adjustable, etc.). No more plastic D-rings and I've got a d-ring in the same location on both BCs. Be very specific about what you want though, Zeagle messed-up mine the first time.

[partridge]

Hi. Just found this thread and I am also looking at these two bc's.

These are my comments/questions. Please correct me gently if I am wrong.

Escape: This is cheaper, easier to pack and more streamlined because of a smaller bladder.

Ranger: More rugged, has ability to mount a pony bottle.

I am just a rec diver in the tropics so I am leaning towards the escape. The only thing stopping me is the pony mounted in the elastic sheath. I just don't know what to do. Times like these, I just stay with what I have until someone or something makes up my mind for me.

[iflyprops]

I am just a rec diver in the tropics so I am leaning towards the escape. The only thing stopping me is the pony mounted in the elastic sheath.

You can mount a pony bottle with any bc, you just attatch it to the tank. Also if you will be diving in colder water the extra lift of the ranger may come in handy. I, however, love my escape for florida diving.

[firedogut]

the ranger is larger, more pockets, more clips, heavier duty fabric and a 44 lb lift. the escape is smaller, less pockets (you can buy ad ones if you want), less clips (i added 2 on mine) and has a 35lb lift.

i bought the eascape. the escape cannot mount dual tanks however a pony bottle should be ok depending on where you diving. The ranger can mount the dual tanks and you can also buy different lift bladders (i think the next one up is 60 lbs but don't quote me on that.)

The other thing i liked is you can get the escape for only $289 (i paided $209 for mine cause i was buying regs anda computer and got a sweet deal)

[partridge]

Ok. In another thread I discoounted the zeagles as there is no dealer in the Philippines. There is one now. So I'm looking at zeagles again.

What I meant by mounting a pony.... In another thread someone put a pony bottle in the zip on elastic sheath between the bladder and the divers right side. This way I don't need tank mounts or anything.

Most of my diving is a 30 minute drive away. I only travel once or at most twice a year to visit my folks and dive there.

Frankly, I'm leaning towards the Ranger LTD as I am an "all the bells and whistles" kind of a guy.