BC choices: Zeagle Stiletto v. Zena

[lilycat]

I'm getting ready to order my first BC. Trying these two on may not be an option - it is hard to find some products and product lines in town and I will likely be ordering.

I would like to get feedback from women who are a little longer in the torso, like me, on the Zena. (I'm 5'9" and have just that little extra length from the "average" torso." That was a lot of trouble when buing wetsuits, but I found one.)

BC History: I tried on my husband's Stiletto (he he) and found it comfortable - much better feel than the jackets, imo. After reading other posts, I am also considering Zena.

Thanks for your help. These boards are a great resource.

 

[robrob]

The wifey is not up at the moment but we got her a zena...the part that worked well for her was the interchangable parts...shoulders and vest (somthing else I cant remember off hand) are changeable...for her we needed small shoulders and a medium vest.

She had done quite a bit of diving in various BC's and really likes hers...the corset(sp?) in front she says is really comfortable (not to mention looks completely hot...er a sorry...back on topic).

Seriously tho...you REALLY need to do this in person. It is worth the drive to find a shop with a few of these in stock...when she first tried on a medium we thought it was perfect when we strapped a tank on she looked like the old man on the led zepplin album cover...ie ...not good...for her swapping the parts was the answer...its worth the drive if you have any choice.

Good luck!!

 

[gecko2gecko]

I've never tried on a Stiletto but I can vouch for the Zena. The fact that you may need special sizing is a major selling point on all things Zeagle. I too had to get a Medium BC and swapped out for a Small set of shoulders. I had tried all the rental gear the shop uses including Rangers, TransPacs, etc (even the owner's BP/W set up) and the Zena BY FAR was the most comfortable piece I had put on. If you have to buy it online, I recommend making sure you buy it from a place that is willing to work with you like ScubaToys. I know that my LDS took no issue with swapping out a new harness set but some online places probably would. If you have to order...give Larry at ScubaToys a call and see what he can do for you. (Be sure you mention the ScubaBoard discount too.)

 

[stevetim]

I think you would like the Zena better as it was designed for a female countour. I dive the Stiletto and I could imagine how the shoulder straps combined with the upper cross strap(the one used to keep the shouler straps at a constant space) could irritate the upper female anatomy. Why don't you try a dive with your husband's Stiletto for reference. That to me would be your biggest advantage and deciding factor. Sorry I couldn't give you a Zena review from a female perspective.

 

[Chad Carney]

Actually many ladies like the Stiletto very much.
The shoulders are removable and sizable, just like on the Zena and the chest clip has two positions also.

We have had quite a bit of interest in a specific Stiletto BC for women, so we tried two prototypes on many ladies at DEMA. The feed back was pretty good on the slight modifications from the original Stiletto. (The torso was shortened and the weight pockets lowered on the hips.)

This BC could be produced pretty quickly if we get enough call for it.

Chad

 

[DiveMaven]

I dive a Zena and absolutely recommend it to everyone to try. For someone with a longer torso, you'll likely find the Zena extremely easy to adjust and very comfortable. The Zena has 2 body straps to hold it in place, instead of a cumberbun like on the Stilleto (and most jacket style BCs). The dual straps make it very easy to put the BC where you want it and keep it in place. It will not ride up, nor even shift much on your body (unless you're weighted more heavily on one side). I also find the Zena extremely easy to adjust at depth (once everything is compressed), and like that I just have to pull the straps without disconnecting anything like with velcro closures on cumberbuns.

 

[lilycat]

Update: Scubatoys is sending me both BCs. I'm still interested in hearing feedback and will post my own after trying them on.

Also, I didn't find the Stiletto interfered with my anatomy at all. It is just a harness, really, and I've worn those for other sports without any issues.

Post more next week.

 

[MichaelBaranows]

I heard a rumor that Zeagle i scoming out early next year with a BC that is suppose be more favorable to the female body.

 

[TheRedHead]

I'm getting ready to order my first BC. Trying these two on may not be an option - it is hard to find some products and product lines in town and I will likely be ordering.

I would like to get feedback from women who are a little longer in the torso, like me, on the Zena. (I'm 5'9" and have just that little extra length from the "average" torso." That was a lot of trouble when buing wetsuits, but I found one.)

BC History: I tried on my husband's Stiletto (he he) and found it comfortable - much better feel than the jackets, imo. After reading other posts, I am also considering Zena.

Thanks for your help. These boards are a great resource.

Lillycat,

I'm 5'10" and have a long torso. I have to buy long torso bathing suits at Lands End. The best fitting BC for me was the men's Zeagle Brigade in a Small with Medium shoulder straps. The extra length in the medium shoulders allows the BC to fasten at my natural waist instead of under my rib cage and the chest strap does not hit my neck. Most women's BCs were way too short for me in size Medium and way too big and still short for me in size Large. The best fitting woman's BC I tried was a Ladyhawk in Medium.

I can't wear a Dive Rite Transpac either because the Small is too short and the Medium is too big. I can wear a Transplate with regular harness webbing.

 

[lilycat]

Thanks, Redhatmama. That is valuable information. They are sending the Zena in a large and the Stiletto in a medium. Larry said I can change stuff around as needed. I'm very happy to get your specific feedback - it will help me visualize the different configs and hopefully get a good fit in the end.