Excerpt from July 2005 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine, pg 80-81.

Riptide Zone II • Test Rig Components
(sold as a package): BC without
backplate. Package Price: $499.

> The Verdict:
A conventional soft-pack BC when you want to do some fun diving, the Zone II can be modified for some more serious single- or double-tank diving by adding a backplate. Riptide doesn’t offer a backplate of its own, but according to the company, OMS, Halcyon and Dive Rite plates will all fit in the special sleeve located behind the back pad. Then just weave in some single-tank bands or bolt on some doubles and you’re good to go. The Zone II is a well-put-together rig that provides excellent comfort and stability at depth. It has contoured shoulder pads that route straps underneath the arms. There are a number of adjustments to maximize fit, and the two-inch webbing RIPTIDE Zone II over the cummerbund provides additional stability and security when using a plate. And all this is accomplished with surprising simplicity, a term not always used when describing dual-use systems. The air cell on the Zone II offers 60 pounds of lift, and while it isn't interchangeable, it has elastic straps to keep it from flapping around when deflated. There are 10 stainless-steel D-rings, two pre-bent, for clipping on stage bottles and other gear. The weight-ditch system can hold up to 24 pounds, and has a zippered top-load opening and Velcro-secured flaps for ditching out the bottom. Simply hook your thumbs in the tube handles and yank down - it couldn’t be easier. The rig also comes with trim weight pouches that can be threaded onto the tank bands.

Return to RipTide Product Listings