Zeagle Zena BCD-What are the pros/cons??

[Drazette]

I am considering purchasing the Zeagle Zena BCD. I am 5'2" with a petite frame. Can anyone help me with the pros and/or cons please. How does the back bladder feel??? Are there enough pockets? Can you purchase extras?

 

[djdalite]

im a guy...from my limited researching using the forum and google to find a bc for my significant other...IMO

i cant comment on the bladder per se...i have a zeagle stiletto - they all pretty much use the same wing/bladder i believe - its comfortable once you have the straps adjust accordingly. i think what wins over most females is that it has a zippered jacket style front which frees up the "ladies", its also streamline. as far as pockets it has two rear weight pockets and two side weight pockets with the rip cord system, it also has one mesh pocket which im not a huge fan off in the front, i dont believe you can purchase others for it to attach unless you want like another piece of gear around your waist or legs.

your best bet is to find a LDS or divers direct somewhere near you to try it on, or maybe if your lucky rent.

on a second glance at zeagles website it does appear you can purchase additional pockets that attach to the waist band. - Zena Utility Pocket

 

[tbone1004]

zip down to Allentown PA if you can and swing by Northeast Scuba Supply, he will have a bunch of others. If you're diving locally consider a small backplate and wing since you can ditch weight. You will realize quickly that with such a small frame waist pockets really restrict you and you will be better off with thigh pockets as you don't have a lot of real estate around your waist.

 

[Timotay]

My wife uses one. She is 5'4" and has a petite frame and loves her Zena. This is her first BCD and has only ever used the jacket style when she took her OW course. She didn't like the 'squeeze' you get with the jacket style. I have a Stiletto and both of us agree the back inflate feels less bulky than the jacket style. Sorry but can't comment on the Zena vs other BCDs as this is the only other one she has used. We did a lot of research and the Zena seemed to be the preferred BCD for women. Oh, btw, my wife is about the same size as you and she has the small size. Fits very well with or without a wetsuit.
Hope that helps...

 

[diversteve]

[user]DiveMaven[/user] dives one. She'll likely be happy to answer a PM about it if she doesn't see this thread.

Also: Zena Utility Pocket

 

[wolflegresley]

My wife has had one for over two years now and let me tell you her entire view on diving changed for the better.

It is fitted for the female body and as such is superior to any other "jacket" style BCD out there for comfort (except maybe other female specific BCDS)

+1 For the corset style jacket (contours to your curves vice squishing them)
+1 For weight integration (No more weight belts cutting into you)
+1 For weight release system (1 simple pull and done, and very easy to reset)
+1 For D-Ring placement - has enough locations to clip off everything you will ever need for a recreational dive!
+1 For changeable "Corset" pieces. This is purely a fashion statement, but you can change the color of the vest for another whenever you want!
+1 Back Inflate - This will go a LONG way in helping you with your buoyancy in the water. Instead of trying to float you vertical in the water, it will try and keep you horizontal...instant improvement (however on the surface there is a tendency to tip you forward...but can easily be overcome).
+1 Its a zeagle BCD - Built tough as nails, great customer service and they now have user purchasable repair kits to fix anything that could potentially go wrong.
+1 Inflator hose/water hose hook up - You can hook your garden hose directly to the BCD to wash the bladder whenever you want (makes annual maintenance a breeze).
+1 2x rear dumps make it easy to dump air while in trim position, no need to raise inflater above your head (unless your ascending from your dive).


-1 Requirement to purchase "Zeagle" weight bags to fit into weight pockets (you CAN use ziplock bags should you choose too)
-1 Sometimes, and I mean RARLEY the air may be more on your right side then your left because of the horseshoe bladder design (I happen to like it when I'm slinging bottles etc, VERY easy to fix...just raise the side with less air and the air will readjust).

This BCD kept my wife diving, she loves it and recommends it to all her friends. You cant go wrong with a Zena!

GL!

 

[Tina L]

im a guy...from my limited researching using the forum and google to find a bc for my significant other...IMO

i cant comment on the bladder per se...i have a zeagle stiletto - they all pretty much use the same wing/bladder i believe - its comfortable once you have the straps adjust accordingly. i think what wins over most females is that it has a zippered jacket style front which frees up the "ladies", its also streamline. as far as pockets it has two rear weight pockets and two side weight pockets with the rip cord system, it also has one mesh pocket which im not a huge fan off in the front, i dont believe you can purchase others for it to attach unless you want like another piece of gear around your waist or legs.

your best bet is to find a LDS or divers direct somewhere near you to try it on, or maybe if your lucky rent.

on a second glance at zeagles website it does appear you can purchase additional pockets that attach to the waist band. - Zena Utility Pocket

My name is Tina, I feel compelled to look at the Tusa Tina BCD. I have heavily researched the Zeagle Zina. It just seems … BETTER. Can anyone address this? Why are they selling the Tusa Tina at Walmart? Much appreciated. I would love to have my name on my BCD, but the Zina is just so expandable. I’m getting more and more courses behind me, and I live on the coast and plan heavy dive travel coming up. I’m not getting any younger but still very fit. Every day is a blessing. I want to continue feeling that way. Thanks Y’all

 

[mscmicrobiology]

Just to play devils advocate here, my wife tried the Zeagle Zena based on all the rave reviews and absolutely hated it. She tried mixing and matching the various Zena components, thinking it just might be a sizing thing, but did not help at all. She found that no matter how it was adjusted the tank always felt floppy and poorly integrated with the main harness. The tank rolled from side to side with minimal change in position. She also found it tended to ride up a lot and would have benefited from a crotch strap. Finally, she did not like the horseshoe bladder as commonly air trapped in one side. In her words, “the Zena is pretty but not very practical” for her. She now uses a SS BP/donut wing /STA combo and absolutely loves it.

 

[Belzelbub]

My name is Tina, I feel compelled to look at the Tusa Tina BCD. I have heavily researched the Zeagle Zina. It just seems … BETTER. Can anyone address this? Why are they selling the Tusa Tina at Walmart?

I've never heard of the TUSA Tina. Only just looked at it based on this thread. Walmart does seem to sell a bunch of things that seem out of their wheelhouse. Usually, they aren't really sold by Walmart, but by other sellers/companies that list on Walmart.com. Seems to be the case here.

It will come down to personal preference. The Tina is a jacket style, while the Zena is a back inflate. I much prefer the back inflate style. For obvious reasons (I'm a guy) I don't dive with a Zena. I dive with a Stiletto. My oldest daughter has a Lazel (discontinued female version of the Stiletto), and my youngest daughter has a Zena. It's a solid BC and she likes it.

Much appreciated. I would love to have my name on my BCD, but the Zina is just so expandable.

For the name thing, I saw things like these in my Facebook feed recently. So, you could still have your name on your BC.

Personalized Embroidered Scuba BCD Name Tag Badge - Etsy

This Patches item by NorthshoreLaiePoint has 106 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Las Vegas, NV. Listed on Aug 19, 2024

www.etsy.com

Zena is solid and there are lots of ways to expand.
The Zip mount adapters are pretty cool. Gives you options to mount a variety of different things to your sides just forward of the bladder.
One modification I made to all 3 BCs is to move the trim pockets. The trim pockets come on the lower strap, but I prefer them on the top strap as it's easier to trim that way. That did complicate mounting the Zip mount, but not too hard. I just had to install them upside down.

 

[Tina L]

I've never heard of the TUSA Tina. Only just looked at it based on this thread. Walmart does seem to sell a bunch of things that seem out of their wheelhouse. Usually, they aren't really sold by Walmart, but by other sellers/companies that list on Walmart.com. Seems to be the case here.

It will come down to personal preference. The Tina is a jacket style, while the Zena is a back inflate. I much prefer the back inflate style. For obvious reasons (I'm a guy) I don't dive with a Zena. I dive with a Stiletto. My oldest daughter has a Lazel (discontinued female version of the Stiletto), and my youngest daughter has a Zena. It's a solid BC and she likes it.

For the name thing, I saw things like these in my Facebook feed recently. So, you could still have your name on your BC.

Personalized Embroidered Scuba BCD Name Tag Badge - Etsy

This Patches item by NorthshoreLaiePoint has 106 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Las Vegas, NV. Listed on Aug 19, 2024

www.etsy.com

Zena is solid and there are lots of ways to expand.
The Zip mount adapters are pretty cool. Gives you options to mount a variety of different things to your sides just forward of the bladder.
One modification I made to all 3 BCs is to move the trim pockets. The trim pockets come on the lower strap, but I prefer them on the top strap as it's easier to trim that way. That did complicate mounting the Zip mount, but not too hard. I just had to install them upside down.

Wow! Great idea. I bought the zena. I’m excited. Thank you for your help.