Do I actually need a womens specific BCD? Oceanic/Zeagle/Bare?

[kelpmustache]

Hello- About to make the grand gear purchase

Im a relatively new diver, currently working towards my AAUS cert and reef-check qualifications.
Because of the additional gear used during our science surveys Im very keen on D-rings. Perhaps I have not learned how to retrofit my gear (any advise also welcome) with "only" 4 D-rings but I am more attracted to those BCDs which have more.

I dive mostly colder water, wear a 7mm + 3mm hooded vest suit, and still choose to have some of my weight on a belt regardless of weight integration. I am 5'4 135 lbs pretty short torso..

The BC I am eying is Oceanic's Excursion 2- not much I don't love about it besides "its a man's model"

SO, is a woman's specific fit really that important?

The other recommendations have been the Zeagle LaZer (which seems solid, but still lacking in some regions of perfection in my opinion). The Bare Curve also is pretty attractive.

Anyone have these BCs or is a women diving with a unisex/mens specific BCD?

While we are at it, if you want to toss in your two cents about regs, I want something that is reliable yet easy to service and obtain parts for- Looking at some version of the Titan..but really have just started researching regs. If I plan to go north at all, will I need a Cold water reg or is it unnecessary?

Also Does anyone dive with unbalanced these days?

Thanks!

p.s Its my first post so Hey everyone!

 

[ams511]

With BCs the most important quality is fit. If the excursion fits you and has enough lift for your needs then it should work fine.

 

[Scared Silly]

Welcome, no you do not need woman's specific BCD. If it fits and is comfortable then buy it and dive it. You might also consider looking at a backplate and wing, then you can put D rings on as you wish.

 

[drl]

You need a bc that fits you. It doesn't matter what the label says. Don't think of it as "men's"' think of it as "unisex."

 

[spectrum]

One more hand raised for fit, fit and fit. Some mens BC's just don't work well on some curves so they have the ladies cut. if you found something that works for you then you're golden.

Pete

 

[halocline]

Its really impossible to evaluate a BC without trying it on an actual dive. The way something fits in the dive shop is totally different than underwater with a tank strapped to it.

I could not recommend any jacket-style BC in good conscience. The rigid backplate/wing/webbing harness style is so much better performing that to me there really is no comparison. Before you buy any BC you should try a backplate/wing set up. Alternatively, buy a used inexpensive jacket BC to get you through a season or two of diving and then, when you have better buoyancy control and dive skills, try several styles and you'll be in a good position to make an informed decision. There are some excellent divers that prefer jacket BCs, I have no idea why, but to each his own....

As far as regs go, the titan is a perennial best buy, you won't go wrong with it. "Cold water" as far as regulators go is dry suit temps, so unless you have one and are using it in extremely cold water, like 40-45F, almost any reg will not freeze. The titan (non LX) does have an unbalanced 2nd stage but that's not really important; 2nd stages do not have to deal with the wide range of supply pressure that 1st stages do, and that's where balancing is useful. However, you can go for the LX model and that has a barrel poppet design balanced 2nd stage. It might perform a little better.

 

[redacted]

If the girls are happy, then the BP/w can wait for later.

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

a big complaint of men's BC on women is the fact that the straps comes down to the front like suspenders, instead of toward the rear like backpacks. Even when trying a suspender type in the shop might not feel uncomfortable, when loaded up with tank and weights, they could start squeezing you in the wrong places. Also, the sternum strap should right higher up so as not to have to pull the place where it attach to the shoulder straps toward each other, which also causes discomfort.

Since women have a shorter torso, the cummerbund/waist strap has to run a bit higher than men's. This might cause the BC ride a little higher than on a man (could cause the bladder to ride higher or start wrapping over the shoulder), thus some brands has torso length adjustment that's independent of the front strap adjustment. Also, with the higher cummerbund, the pockets attached to it will be a bit higher, making it harder to reach. Some women's BC has pockets that attaches below the cummerbund. Or even have cummerbund that contours out toward the bottom, etc.

 

[Peter_C]

Most all of the North Coast divers I dive with, dive in a BP/W with steel tanks. Of course the water also gets cold so a drysuit is nice to have too. My gals first dive post certification dive at Van Damme SP was 46 degrees. Her second dive the same day we saw 43 degree temps. She appreciates her drysuit and gear configuration.

HOG makes great products at a reasonable price. Contact Jim Lapenta if you want to learn more about their product line. We have one set, of HOG regs, and I will shortly be switching over to them myself and selling my Scubapro regs.

 

[Tortuga68]

Political correctness aside, if you don't have big breasts then it's probably not an issue