Zeagle Ranger BC Review by Jenia Cherkassky

I bought my Zeagle Ranger BC two years ago and have dived around 40 times with it, so far I can say that I’m happy with this purchase. The Zeagle Ranger is a very popular rear flotation BCD. It is really robust and well built. It is constructed of heavily reinforced 1050 denier ballistic nylon, which is a very rigid material.

This BC is also very versatile and customizable. It’s easy to disassemble it and to replace any part that you might want to replace. There are also a lot of optional accessories that can be attached to the BC (like the rear weight pockets on mine). The BC has an integrated weight system and it can be used with either single or twin cylinders. Optional bladder assemblies can have up to 2 X 85-LB lift and it’s easy to mount backplates.

The Ranger is also available in the “Limited Edition”, which includes a lot of optional accessories. An extra pair of vertically mounted 2″ D-rings, plus another pair of 1.5″ D-rings, holder for small pony systems, a pocket under the bladder wing, a holder for a Spare Air system and a panel with a row of grommets for attaching lift bags or other gear.

Liking or not liking the Ranger, depends on you attitude towards rear flotation BC’s in general. Beginning recreational divers usually prefer jacket BC’s and consider them more convenient. More advanced recreational divers prefer the rear flotation systems. But it’s really a question of personal preference. There’s some debate on the safety of back inflated BC’s due to the tendency of back inflated BC’s (in general) to force the diver forward, which would put them face first in the water if they were unconscious.

Compared to other BC’s (jacket type) the Ranger does have the tendency to keep me forward all the time. It’s not as easy to flip over and lay on my back. As I mentioned, I use a tank-strap mounted weight system (rear weights), and these are good for neutralizing this effect. I usually put 2 pounds of weight in each rear pocket and that’s enough to keep me in a totally vertical position in the water (if I need you). If you use a back inflated BC (like the Ranger), I strongly recommend using rear weights as well.

The Ranger can also be easily upgraded to a more advanced model of a Zeagle BC, by simply replacing some of the parts. The replaceable parts also come handy if you’d like to get the most perfect fit (you can mix parts of different sizes).

I am NOT a technical diver today, so I have nothing to say about using the Ranger in technical diving (instead of a backplate system). But I have met several technical diving instructors who do technical dives with the Ranger. Later this year I plan to do a Technical Diving Course and I have no intention of buying a new BC for this.

Here are some Photos of my Ranger:

Here are the Standard Features of the BCD:

Standard Features:

• 44-LB lift capacity Ballistic bladder (standard, other capacities available as options)
• 30-lb capacity Ripcord® weight system
• 20-LB capacity rear trim weight system
• PFS Modular Sizing
• Heavily reinforced 1050 denier Ballistic nylon construction
• 11″ grommets for mounting twin cylinders
•  Two Zippered utility pockets at sides
• Adjustable elastic waist panels
• 4 Stainless angled D-rings on shoulders (two adjustable)
• 2 Stainless D-rings on vest
• Adjustable Sternum Strap
• Single or twin tank capability.

This is the Relevant page on the manufacturer’s website.