Over the last few weeks I have looked at various BCD's and one that really sticks out ( and feels great on) is the Ranger. It looks like a very well built and durable one, many of the divemasters and instructors from the shop I am taking my drysuit course from use and swear by them. I can certainly understand for them that having a very rugged BC is a must with the amount they use their gear. I expect I will be in the range of 30 dives a year ( half in warm water and the other half drysuit diving in cold water) I am questioning if I really need the Ranger as it seems almost to be a Tec Bcd. I will be going on my open water drysuit dive in a week and will find out what I need for weight then but my instructor said he is guessing at about 30 lbs. The Ranger has lift of 44 lb and the Stiletto is 35 lb. The Stiletto has some very appealing features , slightly lighter , will likely travel better ( for the winter trips) having the smaller bladder, lumbar pad and a price tag of about $150 less than the Ranger. Both have many common features including the personal fit system. I am trying to find a fairly rugged Bcd that will work for both cold water ( drysuit) and not be to bulky for travel on the winter trips. The Stiletto is made from 1000 denier and the Ranger 1050 ballistic denier. I have read many many great reviews for both Bcd's with very little negative being said about either.
I'm wondering if there are other divers out there using either of these for warm and cold water diving that could give me their thoughts?
I'm wondering if there are other divers out there using either of these for warm and cold water diving that could give me their thoughts?