i need a new BCD need experienced information

[oceanbound]

i love my LadyHawk as well. I believe that when it's time for a new one I will probably look into getting another one

 

[pasley]

Let's make this simple. Go to Deep Sea Supply https://www.deepseasupply.com/ Call Tobin the owner, he will ask you very specific questions about your height, weight, type of diving you do and plan to do, exposure suit etc. Then he will tell you what you need. Backplate (mine is 6.5 pounds), wing (size varies depending on weight and dive type), strap (one contious strap goes from your waist, over your shoulders and back to the buckle. Easy. If you want quick relesase he sells that too. He will tell you what you need and get you outfitted for the roughly the cost of a jacket BCD and it will fit you. He has long and short plates etc. DSS travels well, distributes the weight behind your lungs and makes a rock solid platform for the tank to sit on. I love mine. Been on many a dive boat here in Southern California where the dominate rig was DSS.

 

[hummer]

thanks will looking into all of these suggestions, have been searching the web and trying to find a dealer close to home,,but no such luck on the stores.the store in town is selling the "lotus"tried it on but wasn't the right size. our store does not want to order stuff in and have to send it back b/c of shipping charges.

 

[oztme]

Hi,
I got my backplate and wing from deep sea supply and am very happy.The guy is quite an expert.
I like that backplate keeps your front area clear of clutter.

Only negative was I liked slightly longer hose on bcd compared to my wing.

Bcd also gave slightly easier weight redistribution. I hat've very floaty legs so needed to buy cam belt pockets so I could move weight up high.

Think I would buy backwater and wing again

HTH

Cheers
Scott.

 

[DevonDiver]

PLEASE do youself a favor and TRY before you buy!

Good advice, relevant to any purchase that involves fit, comfort and/or kinesthetic performance.

However, the option to 'try before you buy' is not always available, depending on location, the willingness of your LDS to provide demo models and/or having access to loan gear from other divers.

Scubaboard is notorious for hyping the BP/W as the answer to everything for everyone,...

You make it sound as though 'Scubaboard' is some sort of singular entity with a 'party line', rather than a simple community of active, eager divers who are keen to share their experiences...

If there is a consensus/trend amongst a disparate, globally diverse, unbiased and non-financially motivated community then that should count for something...

---------- Post Merged at 01:15 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:09 PM ----------

Only negative was I liked slightly longer hose on bcd compared to my wing.

Once you get used to spending more time horizontal, you'll graduate towards using the rear hip dump for the majority of your buoyancy venting.

The shorter LPI hose is designed to be of sufficient length to enable effective operation, without excess length that will dangle below the diver (when horizontal) causing risk of entanglement. Entanglement, of course, being a higher priority concern to divers using guidelines and/or engaged in overhead environment and confined space diving (caves and wrecks).

That said, reducing the 'danglies' isn't a bad consideration for open-water divers - as it contributes to streamlining and reduces some element of task-loading (the longer LPI being slightly more problematic to locate on occasion).

You can, of course, change the LPI hose for a longer one. It's a relatively straight-forward task that doesn't require a specialist skill-set (or tool-set).

 

[Bandaid6]

Sheri, my gf recently started diving with me and purchased the ladyhawk, the shoulder straps are cutting into her armpits and actually left bilateral bruises. The bruises were towards the front of her armpits. any advice? this cant be normal, and I personally cinched her chest strap for her.

 

[Scuba Christine]

I will second the Zena by Zeagle. There was a world of difference in using it as opposed to the jacket style I used in class. The Zena's corset like front and the placement of the "cinches" prevents the ride-up of a jacket. It's super easy to pack. I had no issues with face-plants. I can't say enough good things about mine.

I'll third the Zeagle Zena, designed for women. You need to get the vest that fits you correctly; there are three adjustable staps that you will measure for to determine the size of the vest you should order -- shoulder, waist and hip. It is super stable and fits like a dream when you get the size that is made for you.

Zeagle Zena BC - Ladies BC - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

 

[Amphigorey]

Here's yet another recommendation for the Zeagle Zena. I am short (5'2"), and chest straps on jacket BCs often end up closer to my neck, which I hate and feels unsafe. The Zena eliminates that problem. The zipper in front means it's easy to take on and off, and the adjustments at shoulders, hips, and waist means you can get a really good fit.

It's worth noting, however, that Zeagle's sizing system is terrible. Going by the chart, I should be wearing a medium vest panel and large or XL chest panel, but my Zena is a small. I tried the medium on over a 7mm wetsuit, and even after I cinched it all the way down, it was too loose. In the water, it would have been moving all over the place.

One other thing - I am a Monterey (cold water) diver.

My friend who is taller loves her Zeagle Lazer, which is also a women's BC.