Zeagle Ranger to Brigade?

[emmagee]

Originally Posted by namabiru

(edit won't work, for whatever reason)

And I trust it isn't hard to change the bladders... that's a pretty good system. I bet you can get a Brigade bladder for, oh, $150 or so--maybe more?-- and then you have two BCDs. Then when and if you decide to sell, you've got a nice package.

Yeah, I just don't need two BC's, though. I use a BP/W for doubles, so this will only be used for a single 80 and I certainly don't need the 44 lbs. of lift.

Hey Larry, you guys don't have a trade in policy for gently used Ranger bladders do ya?

[namabiru]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

how much smaller is it? how much less weight?

I am tenatively wondering, though, how much weight you can trim off the BCD with adding a smaller lift capacity bladder. To me, it seems that a lot of the BCD weight comes from the harness system, which wouldn't change, not the bladder.

If you do the time-honored method of holding a Brigade in one hand and a Ranger in the other, is the Brigade noticably lighter than the Ranger?

[deepdiver47]

Here is what I am getting at. I have a Ranger and love it but I know that haven't nor do I expect to use that much of a bladder as I put 8-10 lbs max in the integrated pouches as I dive 82-84 water with a 1 mm full suit. So I need to think lighter.

I am trying to do a couple things:

1) Get into smaller luggage: I do all of my diving in the Pacific (business trips with diving on the last week). So I am always putting my BCD into a 60 cu ft bag to travel.
I would like to travel with a smaller bag. How much physically smaller is it? 10, 20%, more? I need to get a feel for this.

2) Is it better from a performance standpoint?: It seems to me with a smaller bladder that I should have less resistance in the water. Is there any noticeable difference?

Larry, your probably the best one to answer this for me

Thanks all...Dave

[ScubaToys Larry]

The ranger bladders are so bulky because they are a bag in a bag. Really, with the brigade bladder, it will take up about as much room as your ranger with no bladder. Picture just the harness in your bag and you're not far off. It's probably about a pound difference, but size difference is pretty substantial.

[namabiru]

Wow! That really is a difference. I can see why you might be inclined to switch.

[deepdiver47]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

it will take up about as much room as your ranger with no bladder. Picture just the harness in your bag and you're not far off. It's probably about a pound difference.

I'd believe it, if you look at them side by side. Check out the attachment.

In looking at physically replacing it, you unscrew the top valve, unsnap the plastic wing clips on each side and then you slip through the (2) stainless steel slotted clips located on each side (4 total) and she is off.

Am I missing something or is it that easy? Does the escape have dump valves located on the bottom the bladder bottom. Ranger_ Escape.doc

[MxDiver]

Yes it is that easy, and the escape does have the dump valves (2) at the bottom

[emmagee]

If anyone out there has a Brigade bladder that they would like to swap for a Ranger bladder please shoot me a PM. Thanks!

[deepdiver47]

nice try, I doubt you will get any takers

[emmagee]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

nice try, I doubt you will get any takers

ya never know, someone may want a larger bladder for their Brigade to make it a Ranger.