Advice about women BC

[J75]

You might want to check out the SeaQuest Diva. One of my buddies is a girl who is on the small side and she loves this BC. It's adjustable in a number of places, so it gives her a nice custom fit. She's been using it while diving in Jersey, so it should be decent enough for cold water diving.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I have the Ladyhawk and also dislike the lack of a decent pocket. That fold away pocket is a pain if you actually want to put something in it. The XS is fine for my wetsuit but pretty snug even with the straps let all the way out when I put my drysuit with heavy undies on. The integrated weights end up too high on my torso for my liking so I use the weight pockets as storage for extra light, etc. and wear a harness that hangs to my hip to carry my lead.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[scubadobadoo]

My wife has the Diva too and loves it for all diving except it gets a little tight when she uses it with her dry suit and heavy undies. She really has nothing but positive for it when diving warm water. I agree. It appears to be a well thought out BC. It's also VERY light and easy to travel with.

I suspect her future purchase will be a BP/W or something like a Dive Right Transpac, a nice compromise. Minimal padding with adjustability. Maybe an option for you too. I believe my wife said it comes in xtra small. As for pockets, you can always add a thigh pocket and ofcourse the best way to secure a light to your BP/W is to strap/bungie one to your harness. Same for knife or clippers. Weight pockets can also go on the harness. Good luck and have fun shopping!

 

[lilycat]

I'm taking a pilgrimage to a dive shop to try on BCs this w/e.

I looked at the Zeagle Zena and the Zeagle Stilletto and they're close but not perfect. The Zeagle sizing would be of interest to someone who is hard to fit and you should check it out. I'm not finished with my trials with them. So, I'll report more next week.

(Since I was trying them at home, I may find that the dive shop can achieve perfection with one of these.)

I also plan to try on a bp/w.

If you look on the BC boards, there are a couple of threads that have some good 411 on women's bc choices and fit challenges for women.

 

[Shangrl]

I have a Zeagle Zena and I love it. Just zips up the front, very easy and comfortable plus I am small so it fits perfectly. I don't know if it would do just as well in cold water but you might ask your LDS. I have been really happy with the brand though.

 

[scubajoh44]

I use a Zena and dive cold water. I love it. I tried the Diva and Ariel. (Didn't like them) They seemed bulky! Try all you can. I was ready to buy the Diva untill I got to try it. My friend bought a Zena without trying it and doesn't like it. You just have to find what fits right. I think the most important thing is to TRY IT IN THE WATER before you buy it!!!! When your ready to buy talk to Larry at ScubaToys. He's rigging me up a custom fit Zena. Cool!!

 

[hchen]

Hi!!

I'm a new diver and i'm looking to buy a BC... The reason why i'm so hurry is that i'm quite small and all the BC i rent or used during my diving classes were really too large. I went to almost all the store in my city and they don't rent XS BC or only have one!!

I'm hesitating between the mares dragonfly ariel and the scubapro ladyhawk. :06:

I have a pretty small built too and faced the same problems while taking my openwater. My LDS didn't have a small enough BC that would fit me. I ended up buying a DiveRite Transpac harness (size XS) with a travel cell. That fit perfectly plus using a back-inflate really clears up the clutter in front. You can give DiveRite a go or go for a BP/W combi.

 

[downunder_diver]

I'm pretty small too, and I had a lot of trouble hiring BC's aswell. I looked at all the special womens BC's but in the end I went for the Zeagle Brigade. You can choose the sizing so it fits perfectly! I'm very happy with mine!
The brigade is only sold by scubatoys.com.
Give Larry a call!

Safe Diving!
Emilie