Also available on Scuba.com and Diverightinscuba.com
Overview
The Zeagle Ranger BCD is my go-to choice when it comes to teaching PADI courses. It is a rugged, military grade BCD, with great lift capacity and highly versatile. Its zippered utility pockets and stainless steel D-rings allow me to carry extra lead for my students and all the accessories I need to teach SCUBA diving courses.
Between teaching, traveling and fun diving, I have done in excess of 400 dives with the Zeagle Ranger, and find it really the best rugged BCD with a back-inflate bladder.
The Zeagle Ranger is a rugged, heavy duty BCD, optimal for demanding recreational diving and ideal for scuba divers that need a long lasting, highly customizable buoyancy compensation device.
The Ranger’s heavy duty construction is perceivable the very moment you take the BCD in your hands. Let’s take a quick look at the first impressions at the surface.
Zeagle Ranger: First Impressions at the Surface
When taking and lifting the Zeagle Ranger for the first time you will definitively have the impression you are dealing with a rugged BCD. Its weight is non negligible (8.4 pounds, almost 4 Kgs) and Zeagle’s Ballistic Nylon reinforcements feel rough at the touch while providing a sense of additional safety and durability.
Upper Parts of the BCD
Starting from the left hand side of the BCD, you will notice Zeagle’s inflator hose, which is held onto the shoulder strap by a resistant velcro strap. Zeagle’s powe inflator is quite comfortable and easy to use, even if you are diving in cold water and using dry-suit gloves. Just below the inflator hose, you will notice Zeagle’s unmistakable US flag and a stainless steel d ring.
Looking more closely at the shoulder straps, you can notice some reinforcements that are made to prevent the BCD from slipping around while diving.
On both shoulder straps you will find some pre bent stainless steel buckles that will turn useful to hang your dive torches and other accessories. There are two additional plastic buckles on the chest straps. Although you may use those to secure your emergency regulator and SPG, I strongly recommend not doing so. You may instead want to use the Scubapro Magnetic Tank Holder for your Octopus and a marine grade stainless steel bolt snap (with XL swivel) for your SPG.
Backplate and Integrated Weight System
Although the Ranger looks like a normal BCD, it is actually a hybrid jacket. It features a backplate with a back inflation system. The sides of the jacket are not inflatable, they simply look large due to the oversized zippered utility pockets and the integrated weight pockets.
The utility pockets come quite handy as they can comfortably fit a spool or reel, a DSMB and other accessories. I find them particularly comfortable while teching courses that require carrying many accessories (e.g. coloured slates, toys, water bottle, for the PADI Deep Specialty).
The integrated weight pockets features Zeagle’s ripcord weight system, easily recognizable by a red handle. in case you need to release your weights, you can simply pull the red handle and all weights will slide down easily. Note that the ripcord weight system only allows you to drop all your lead at once. You cannot choose to dump a single pocket.
In case you will ever need to use the ripcord system, you will also see that it’s quite time consuming to put it back in place for your next dive.
Performance of the Zeagle Ranger Underwater
Testing Conditions
I have tested the Zeagle Ranger BCD in over 400 dives, spamming all types of conditions. From cold water diving in winter to the warm waters of the Maldives. Whether teaching or having fun dives, the Zeagle Ranger never failed me.
I found the BCD’s adjustability and large weight pockets particularly comfortable while diving in winter with a dry suit and heavy undergarment. At the same time, the wide shoulder straps help alleviating the BC’s pressure on my shoulders if I am carrying a significant amount of weight.
I have not tested the Zeagle Ranger with twin cylinders. Although it is possible to tweak the BCD to accomodate a twinset, as a technical diver, I highly advise you get a classic backplate and wing if you want to dive with twin cylinders.
Despite its military grade manufacturing, the Zeagle Ranger is clearly not designed for mounting twin cylinders. Even if you use a conversion kit, the final setup is rather unstable and I would not recommend attempting any technical dive with such configuration.
Adjustments and Trimming
Adjustments and trimming with the Zeagle Ranger are quick and easy. You can easily increase the size of the BC by extending the length of the cummerbund by a couple of inches. All straps have a quick adjustment system that can be used comfortably both at the surface and underwater.
As an additional accessory, you can purchase small trim pockets that are mounted on the cylinder strap and can accomodate some trim weight. Note that the rear weight system has a 16 lb capacity which should be enough for trimming purposes.
Water Entry and Descent
In your first dives, the Zeagle Ranger could be a bit tricky when it comes to water entry both in case of giant stride and backroll entry.
You need to consider that the Ranger’s back inflate bladder is particularly big (44 lbs). This means that when you fill it to full capacity it might tend to push the front of your body towards the water when doing a giant stride.
By the same token, when doing a backroll entry, if your BCD’s bladder is fully inflated, your head will hardly touch the water (unless you have added some trim weight on the tank straps).
Buoyancy
If you are used to a regular BCD, getting your buoyancy right with the Zeagle Ranger requires some practice. You need to consider that the BCD itself is relatively heavy. At the same time, the oversized bladder takes time to inflate and in most cases it will not exert pressure towards your body while inflating.
This means that you will need to inflate your BCD very slowly and observe how your buoyancy changes. If you are switching to the Zeagle Ranger from a regular BCD, I suggest performing a buoyancy check before doing your first dive.
Performing Scuba Diving Skills
I regularly teach with the Zeagle Ranger, and have no issues in performing all the classic PADI skills.
If you are buying the Ranger before your Open Water Diver Course, you will need to pay special attention to the fin pivot and hovering skills. Because of the Ranger’s lift capacity and oversized bladder, you will really need to inflate the BCD slowly and wait to see if you start hovering.
Ascent and Swimming At The Surface
During the ascent, the Zeagle Ranger is really easy to operate. Thanks to the power inflator you will have no problem in deflating the BCD gradually while ascending.
As an alternative you can use the dump valves located on both sides of the wing.
Zeagle Ranger BCD: Features and Specs
The Zeagle Ranger is really one of the best and most versatile back inflate BCDs available on the market, let’s take a look and at the main features and specs.
Main Features
Highly Durable 1050 denier nylon
High versatility and adjustability
Extensive balance system
Large storage pockets
Option for twin tanks
Stainless steel D-rings
Full customization with Zeagle’s Personal Fit System
Specifications
Inflation: Rear inflate
Dry Weight: 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg
Lift Capacity: 44 lbs / 19.95 kg
Weight Capacity: 36 lbs / 16.3 kg
Rear Weight System: 16 lbs / 17.25 kg
Ripcord® weight system capacity: 30lb/13.6kg
Rear Trim weight system capacity: 20lb/9kg
D-Rings: 6 Stainless steel (4 stainless steel angled D-rings on shoulders, and 2 on vest)
Available Sizes
| WAIST (VEST SIZE) – Measure waist size | TORSO (SHOULDER SIZE) – Measure shoulder to top of hip | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SM | 35″ | SM | 14″ – 18″ |
| MD | 33″ – 41″ | MD | 18″ – 22″ |
| LG | 37″ – 45″ | LG | 22″ – 26″ |
| XL | 42″ – 50″ | XL | 26″ – 29″ |
Zeagle’s Personal Fit System
In case you would like to have a fully customized BCD, teh Zeagle’s Personal Fit System allows you to configure your BCD based on you personal preferences (from sizes to colors) and have it done fully made to measure.
This does have a price impact on a BCD that is already top of the line.
Overall Performance and Evaluation
The Zeagle Ranger is one of my favorite BCDs because of its high versability, durability and customization possibilities.
It is a great BCD for medium to advanced scuba divers who are willing to make a long lasting investment without compromising quality (the Ranger is listed in the Authorization for Navy Use (ANU) by NAVSEA).
It is tough, rugged, and adjustable to the specific needs of every dive. If you are just starting with scuba diving, the Ranger is definitely a good option, but it’s somewhat different from the regular BCDs you can rent out in dive shops. I recommend to check with your Scuba Instructor if the Ranger is a good option for you.
When it comes to possible problems, so far I never had a single issue with my Zeagle Ranger.
In a nutshell, if you are looking to make a long lasting investment, you cannot go wrong with the Zeagle Ranger!
Zeagle Ranger BCD FAQs
Where Are Zeagle BCDs made?
Zeagle BCDs are made in the US. Custom products are made in dedicated in-house facilities in Salt Lake City.
What is the Difference Between the Zeagle Ranger and the Zeagle Ranger Ltd?
The Zeagle Ranger and the Zeagle Ranger ltd BCD are very similar. The key difference is that the LTD version has a zipper on each side that allows you to store your equipment while diving.
Can I mount double tanks on a Zeagle Ranger?
The Zeagle Ranger comes with 11″ grommets for mounting twin cylinders. I however do not recommend using it for technical diving.