New BC ?

[MikadoWu]

Hello All,

So presently I dive with either a Zeagle Ranger, I have over 200 dives and have rarely used more the 6 lbs. of weight.

When I do have to add weight to the Ranger, my butt goes down and the chest goes up..... I had added a trim pocket to the top belt and had 3-5 lbs depending on how much weight I am carrying.

When I first started DM training they always had us wearing 6-8lbs extra weight. This made it difficult for me to keep my chest down as I could not fit more hen 5 lbs in the trim pocket.

I talked with one dive shop, which suggested me move over to a Dive Rite BC that they could adjust the ride of the bc to fit me.

Another Shop said, switch to their Hollis, Rangers historically do that.

Another Shop suggested a Gusset System.

I am welcome to all Suggestions?

 

[runsongas]

DGX Custom - DGX Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I'm not quite certain understand what you're saying. When you add weight your butt goes down and your chest up? Do you mean to say your trim gets to be more vertical in a more head up position? I personally dive the Zeagle Brigade which is a Ranger harness with a 35 lb Escape bladder and I never have issues with trim. I moved my trim pockets to the top cam band and usually put my heaviest weights in those, which usually happen to be 4 lb weights. So a 4 lb weight in each trim pocket then whatever additional weight I need gets distributed evenly in the integrated weight pockets. I haven't done it just yet but it's pretty likely that I will add a second set of trim pockets to the bottom cam band so I can carry most of my weight on my back near the center of my body mass and then of course any additional would go in the integrated pockets. This should make getting good horizontal trim almost too easy. My trim isn't what I would call perfect at this point, but it's certainly not bad, either. I'm finishing up DM training myself and haven't gotten any negative feedback from instructors on my trim.

One thing I can suggest if you're having issues with fit: If you don't already have it, pick up a Zeagle Split Saddle Strap Assembly - BCD Accessories - Scuba Equipment Dive Gear Best Prices to keep the BC from riding up on your shoulders. It does an excellent job of holding it down without being uncomfortable.

After rereading your post a couple of times....do you only have one trim pocket on the upper cam band? If so, you should really have two; one on each side of the tank. That would allow you 10 lbs on your back with just those two, not to mention it will help keep you from rolling side to side during the dive. Add a second pair and you can theoretically have 20 lbs on your back if necessary.

 

[MikadoWu]

I'm not quite certain understand what you're saying. When you add weight your butt goes down and your chest up? Do you mean to say your trim gets to be more vertical in a more head up position? I personally dive the Zeagle Brigade which is a Ranger harness with a 35 lb Escape bladder and I never have issues with trim. I moved my trim pockets to the top cam band and usually put my heaviest weights in those, which usually happen to be 4 lb weights. So a 4 lb weight in each trim pocket then whatever additional weight I need gets distributed evenly in the integrated weight pockets. I haven't done it just yet but it's pretty likely that I will add a second set of trim pockets to the bottom cam band so I can carry most of my weight on my back near the center of my body mass and then of course any additional would go in the integrated pockets. This should make getting good horizontal trim almost too easy. My trim isn't what I would call perfect at this point, but it's certainly not bad, either. I'm finishing up DM training myself and haven't gotten any negative feedback from instructors on my trim.

One thing I can suggest if you're having issues with fit: If you don't already have it, pick up a Zeagle Split Saddle Strap Assembly - BCD Accessories - Scuba Equipment Dive Gear Best Prices to keep the BC from riding up on your shoulders. It does an excellent job of holding it down without being uncomfortable.

After rereading your post a couple of times....do you only have one trim pocket on the upper cam band? If so, you should really have two; one on each side of the tank. That would allow you 10 lbs on your back with just those two, not to mention it will help keep you from rolling side to side during the dive. Add a second pair and you can theoretically have 20 lbs on your back if necessary.

Chest up, butt down... Yes I am much more vertical. I will look into the Saddle Strap.

THanks for the option, I forgot about that item.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Another option is weight pockets on the upper cam bands if you are feet heavy.

 

[diversteve]

My Ranger does that also.

Sort of a solution for me is a 70/30 weight split using the trim pockets in their normal position around the tank. It trims out nice horizontally.

 

[stuartv]

If you're wearing fins that are especially negative (e.g. Jet fins or Hollis F1), try different ones that are neutral (or close). E.g. Deep6 Gear Eddy fins.

 

[happy-diver]

Here you go, neutral none dumpable

When I was diving the Ranger with two tanks, I made myself one of those Y crotch things

Just really made sense

Far more comfortable and stable than the religion of bpw

Moved the clip forwards, wing contours the body and lifts only as much as inflated

Just gotta get the weight on your cog back

 

[MikadoWu]

I just noticed I needed to add some more details to my i might need a new BC, my fault for writing at work.

Generally the weighting is not much an issue, as I do use the trim pockets or adjust my tank. The problem is more a concern when I am working with students as a DM and carrying lot of extra weight.

For $2 of bungee cord, I strung it through and around the top of the bladder in a make sift gusset system. Driving to Key Largo this weekend to see how it goes.

Flip side, I finally found a shop 2 1/2 hours away, that will let me work and learn more about fitting gear next month. They just do not carry Zeagle, but the owner is huge into Technical.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I just noticed I needed to add some more details to my i might need a new BC, my fault for writing at work.

Generally the weighting is not much an issue, as I do use the trim pockets or adjust my tank. The problem is more a concern when I am working with students as a DM and carrying lot of extra weight.

For $2 of bungee cord, I strung it through and around the top of the bladder in a make sift gusset system. Driving to Key Largo this weekend to see how it goes.

Flip side, I finally found a shop 2 1/2 hours away, that will let me work and learn more about fitting gear next month. They just do not carry Zeagle, but the owner is huge into Technical.

And aside from the difference in lift capacity (45 lbs vs 35 lbs), that's the main difference between the Ranger and the Brigade. The Brigade uses an Escape bladder with bungee wrapped around it to create those pockets. Like you, when working with students, I too tend to dive with a little extra weight, just in case one of them decides to bolt for the surface or get into an uncontrolled ascent situation. Try moving your trim pockets to the top cam band and put the bulk of your weight in them and see if that doesn't help keep you in more of a horizontal position. It definitely made a difference for me.