Can some ladies share the pros/cons of Scuba Pro Ladyhawk vs Bella BCD?

[kathydee]

Hi.

After 2 years & 63 dives, I am just buying my first gear.

Will be sticking with SP to get a cheap package deal on the reg I want.

Picked up my new Bella yesterday - but feel uncertain about the design & am contemplating returning it for a Ladyhawk.

Would love to hear what you think about Ladyhawk vs. Bella BCD.

It would be helpful if anyone knows the retail price for a Ladyhawk.

Thanks!

 

[DiveMaven]

You really need to try both on to see which one fits best and is most comfortable. IMO that's the MOST important thing when choosing a BC. Everything comes second to fit.

 

[Damselfish]

I have had a Ladyhawk for a few years and like it as it fits me well, and fit matters most. The one thing I don't like about it is the lack of pockets. (The silly roll down thing doesn't count as a pocket as far as I'm concerned.)

The Ladyhawk and Bella are very different types of BCs. The Ladyhawk is a back inflate and the Bella is a jacket. You need to decide which style you prefer. Then, you need to buy a BC of that style that fits you well, which may or may not be a Scubapro. I would not limit yourself to Scubapro just to get a "cheap" package deal. Scubapro is expensive and doesn't allow much discounting so if you are looking at a Scubapro reg as well you're not getting a cheap package, that's for sure. You could possibly go with another brand, get gear that's just as good that happens to fit better or that you like better, and get a better deal. I'm not saying not to buy Scubapro, just that you shouldn't limit yourself to a certain brand for the wrong reasons.

 

[kathydee]

Thanks. I decided on a specific SP reg for a number of reasons & really had no intention of buying other new gear. Then I was offered a BCD, computer & octopus for actually a REALLY GOOD DEAL (cheaper than I could have bought it used - yes it is from an authorized dive shop).

Returned a more expensive dive computer & basically have a complete set-up for what I intended to pay for the reg/computer.

I'm a grad student, so for now, the sky isn't the limit with gear ;-). Just glad I have something better than seriously sketchy backpacker dive shop rentals.

Now I get to pick between ladyhawk and bella, not a bad choice compared to some of the gear I have used.

What is the difference between diving with a back inflate vs a jacket. (I do know the difference at the surface).

 

[msbrew]

i have been diving the ladyhawk for 6 years. i love the fit (it seems to know when i need a bit more space at times!) i have it serviced ever year and have never had a problem. the only drawback is the lack of pockets as mentioned before, and lack of D rings.

 

[realdiver7]

I'm not a lady, but here goes anyway...

If the LadyHawk fits you well and is comfortable, my guess is that you would like it better. A jacket BC has air cells around the side and in the rear. When inflated, the jacket can give you a feeling of being squeezed. When diving with it deflated, the side air cells and extra material around them create more drag and friction in the water, making you less streamlined. Additionally, with the extra material, your jacket BC has more inherent buoyancy, so you will usually need more lead weight. In other words, the jacket is more bulky above and below the water. A rear inflate BC only has an air cell (bladder) in the rear, which is a good thing in my humble opinion.

Most divers (myself and my wife included) start off with a jacket BC, but when they switch to a back inflate, they never go back to the jacket. To take this even one step further, most divers who switch to a backplate/wing/single piece harness never go back to a back inflate or a jacket BC.

My wife and I have both graduated from jacket BCs to back inflate BCs (Scubapro KnightHawk and LadyHawk) to finally Oxycheq BP/wing setups, and we will never go back. Hope this helps.

 

[kathydee]

I'm not a lady, but here goes anyway...

Thanks! Of course guys are welcome too! :cheeky:

If the LadyHawk fits you well and is comfortable, my guess is that you would like it better.

It does fit very well

A jacket BC has air cells around the side and in the rear. When inflated, the jacket can give you a feeling of being squeezed. When diving with it deflated, the side air cells and extra material around them create more drag and friction in the water, making you less streamlined. Additionally, with the extra material, your jacket BC has more inherent buoyancy, so you will usually need more lead weight. In other words, the jacket is more bulky above and below the water.

I special ordered the Bella without trying it on. Now that I've seen it, I agree. All the extra fabric in the front was making me uncomfortable (even without inflating it). Felt more like a life jacket than a BCD.

Most divers (myself and my wife included) start off with a jacket BC, but when they switch to a back inflate, they never go back to the jacket. To take this even one step further, most divers who switch to a backplate/wing/single piece harness never go back to a back inflate or a jacket BC.My wife and I have both graduated from jacket BCs to back inflate BCs (Scubapro KnightHawk and LadyHawk) to finally Oxycheq BP/wing setups, and we will never go back.

Maybe I'l switch to a BP/Wing after my 200th dive ;-) and completion of my degree = new paycheck!

I liked the feel of the Ladyhawk better - but have little technical knowledge (as I've just made due with what I rented)--- glad to find others who agree.

 

[realdiver7]

Maybe I'll switch to a BP/Wing after my 200th dive ;-) and completion of my degree = new paycheck!

I liked the feel of the Ladyhawk better - but have little technical knowledge (as I've just made due with what I rented)--- glad to find others who agree.

Best of luck to you with the graduate degree....I went back to school when I was 46 and finished my Master's degree when I was 47. It's never too late to go after your goals! Still haven't seen any increase in income though!

 

[oceanbound]

the only drawback is the lack of pockets as mentioned before, and lack of D rings.

ditto here. I'm no expert and just started diving but compared the the jacket bc I used to begin with in training, I like the ladyhawk better. just wish it had a larger pocket other than that zippered thing.

 

[tkdgodess]

I used a ladyhawk teaching in the pool last night (my pool bc finally packed it in) and I found it very comfortable, stable and easy to use. I might buy one for my new pool bcd. I was using a seaquest diva for the pool as comparison (jacket style).