Aqualung Pearl Ladies BC

[ReneeDr]

I just wanted to share my review on my Aqualung Pearl BC. When shopping for a new BC I checked this board and found some helpful advise so I am paying it forward, so to speak. I do all warm water diving. The Pearl is very comfortable. It is made for a shorter torso of a woman which I love. It has a built in "bra" in the front making for a very secure fit without having to have an uncomfortable chest strap. The integrated weight pockets work very well, are easy to load and unload. I never have had to use the non-ditchable weight pockets in the tank band to get perfect balance underwater. It works very smoothly for air in and out. It is a hybrid type bc which means it has back air plus a bit of air in the torso. I do notice that at the surface though it tends to throw me face forward into the water if I am too inflated. I can always let some air out at the surface though to be more upright. I have about 50 dives on the bc so far and it looks like brand new still. My last bc was an Oceanic Hera. The Hera was much heavier for travel so that is why I bought a new one. I was very happy with the Hera too but love this Pearl BC more because it fits my torso length so much better. And the shoulders on the Pearl are narrow which for me was important for comfort.

 

[Selchie in LB]

. . . It works very smoothly for air in and out. It is a hybrid type bc which means it has back air plus a bit of air in the torso. I do notice that at the surface though it tends to throw me face forward into the water if I am too inflated. I can always let some air out at the surface though to be more upright. . . .

I have heard other people say that the back inflation pitches people forward. I cannot say that I have experienced this phenomena and I dive the SeaQuest Libra which is a total back inflate BCD. Just curious how that is possible. Also, for me I have to lean forward when descending to prevent myself from going down on my back.

 

[ReneeDr]

Do you use weights in your rear weight pockets? Maybe that could pitch you backwards while descending. I hear that rear weights can also assist in staying upright at the surface. I don' use the rear weights though because I'm perfectly happy with my level movement thru the water without them.
Renee