Female BC: Dacor, Mares, or Zeagle?

[pussgurka]

Hello! I am a brand new member! I posted this earlier in another forum before I realized that there is a forum specifically for BCs...

I got my OW certification a few months ago and I am eager to assemble my gear. Up to this point, I have been borrowing gear from the dive shop where I took my lessons. I really like the dive shop and the people that works there. Unfortuanately, the only female BC they carry is the ScubaPro LadyHawk. While it fits really well, at $600, it is about 100% out of my price range.

I have been looking online at different places and found a few that cost around $300. So far, I really liked these three:

Dacor Elite
Mares Jubilee
Zeagle Zena

Which one should I get?? I am leaning toward the Mares Jubilee. I would really appreciate any help/suggestions you can give me. I am not sure if my size matters, but I am about 5'8" and 150lbs.

If there is another BC that I overlooked, I am totally open for suggestions.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Boogie711]

but - have you looked at a backplate? The beauty of it is that it really is completely customizable. And no straps to interfere with a females 'upper thoracic breathing area.'

 

[pussgurka]

I am not too familiar with backplates. From what very little I do know, the backplate needs to be bolted to the tank. Is that correct?

I am working in Southern California on a short-term basis. Most likely when I leave So Cal, I will only be able to scuba a few times a year while on vacation. I need something more transportable. Also, I have never looked at the prices for the backplates. I really can't spend more than $350 on a BC. I don't know if those are even in my price range.

Thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate it.

 

[Boogie711]

You would use a single tank adaptor, which is bolted to the backplate, correct. The single tank adaptor has cambands just like any other BC.

The Halcyon wings (I use a new Oxycheq) have an integrated STA and you just run the cambands right through the plate. But otherwise, it's totally the same.

In terms of portability, a backplate and single tank wing will measure about 1.5 inches high on the bottom of a suitcase if you pack them. You can get a travel plate which is Stainless steel (or aluminum) and weighs about 2 pounds. The wing weighs a few ounces. You cannot find a BC which you can pack away which will weigh less or be easier to transport.

In terms of cost, I paid about $125 for my Stainless Steel backplate and STA. You can get the new Oxycheq 30 pound single tank wing from www.covci.com right now for $225, delivered right to your door, shipping inclusive.

You should check E-Bay for plates... you can usually find them for cheap. If you're travelling and doing southern diving, you might want to consider a lighter plate than Stainless Steel, but then again, if you usually wear more than 6 pounds of weight, that's 6 pounds off your belt. It's just heavier to pack, is all.

 

[jonnythan]

pussgurka once bubbled...
I am not too familiar with backplates. From what very little I do know, the backplate needs to be bolted to the tank. Is that correct?

No, not exactly. Generally, a backplate setup consists of a few items: a backplate, a wing, an STA, and a harness.

The harness threads through the backplate. The wing is the inflation bladder... it gets sandwiched between the Single Tank Adapter (STA) and the backplate. The STA gets bolted to the backplate. The whole assembly - harness, backplate, wing, and STA - is quite compact and tidy and uses a pair of cam straps to very securely attach the tank to the BC.. just like a regular BC. Well, most BC's use only one strap, but you get the idea.

If you buy a Halcyon Pioneer wing you won't need the STA, and the wing should bolt to the backplate directly. The wing has a pair of small plastic rods down the center that line the tank up against the plate, and again uses a pair of cam straps.

Here are some links to pictures and info about the system to give you an idea what we're talking about:

http://halcyon.net/mc/pioneer.shtml
http://halcyon.net/mc/harness.shtml
http://www.selchie.com/sta.htm
http://www.selchie.com/backplates.htm
http://www.selchie.com/travel.htm is a picture of the travel plate bolted to the lightweight STA with no wing

pussgurka once bubbled...
I am working in Southern California on a short-term basis. Most likely when I leave So Cal, I will only be able to scuba a few times a year while on vacation. I need something more transportable. Also, I have never looked at the prices for the backplates. I really can't spend more than $350 on a BC. I don't know if those are even in my price range.

Thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate it.

While I've never seen the Koplin Travel Plate or lightweight STA, the BC made from these components will pack down smaller and lighter (~ 3 pounds total) than almost anything else, and you still retain the simplicity and stability of a full backplate. Mate it with a Halcyon Pioneer 27 lb wing or the Oxycheq 30 lb wing (http://www.covci.com/wings.htm) and you have a super lightweight, extremely comfortable, stable, versatile BC system.

 

[JohnCollins]

Unless you've been lurking around here for a while, you probably haven't read as many discussions about them as I have. With one or two notable exceptions, virtually every poster here who has switched from a jacket to a BP/wings loves them. And they're almost universally very enthusiastic about them. They are dirt simple to work, really, and I'll likely get one within a couple of years. My jacket works really well and I'm in no particular hurry to switch, but. . .

I've never seen a type of product like a BP/wings so universally loved by experienced folks. If I were starting out, I'd definitely go with one. Not that you'd be hurt by going with a jacket. . .jackets are NOT as bad as some folks make them out to be, but I'd be willing to bet you'll appreciate the BP/wings more. The differences are likely not nearly as great as you'd assume from the arguments back and forth. But the BP/wings, at least on this board, are the clear winner.

Maybe some other lady users will post their experiences with them. Good luck with your decision!

P.S. I obviously don't speak from experience. I'm just relaying my impressions from enjoying reading a lot about the subject on this board. Don't want to sound like I know anything about it.

 

[kd5izq]

I would also suggest you take a look at the Oceanic Isla. It is specifically made for women. The shoulder straps attach to the lower front portion of the BC by way of a patented "sliding" clip that is adjustable depending on the "build" of the wearer. I bought one for my wife and she absolutely LOVES it! Definitely worth checking out.

 

[Detonate]

I use the Zeagle Escape, which is GREAT for travel.

My wife dives a Zeagle Zena, and she loves that thing.

Both are easy to pack, very light, and do not get in your way while diving.

 

[caveseeker7]

... are options if you don't like the Zena. They're much the same, the Escape has integrated weight pockets and a cummerbund. The Scout costs less and packs smaller. Don't know the other two bcs you asked about.

If you're in SoCal, Liburdi's in Costa Mesa is a large Zeagle dealer and has Zeagles for rent. Give them a try. but a BP/W combo is something to think about. Try it out first, though.

 

[ScottyK]

My lady/buddy is also very happy with her Oceanic Isla. The aforementioned slider helped to customize it to her chest very well. Having said that, she is also looking into a BP/Wing, but the Isla is a good choice for an inexpensive, simple starter BC.

Try on as many different brands as you can before you buy. Don't rush into a purchase that you will probably be using for years to come.

Good luck......Scott