Libra v. Diva LX

[Nay]

Hi all,
I'm really new to this group and to diving in general. I have had a couple of people highl recommend the Seaquest Libra and see that a large number of readers here use and love the Seaquest Diva LX.
I know that it comes down to personal fit but I was wondering if anyone has tried both and had any comparisons.

thanks all!

 

[OCdiving Deb]

Hi all,
I'm really new to this group and to diving in general. I have had a couple of people highl recommend the Seaquest Libra and see that a large number of readers here use and love the Seaquest Diva LX.
I know that it comes down to personal fit but I was wondering if anyone has tried both and had any comparisons.

thanks all!

I cannot believe that noone has responded to your post! Although I have never tried the Diva, I wear the Libra and can tell you my thoughts on it. I wish it had a better pocket. You may know that the pocket is a pull-down type that normally is out of site and non-usable in its folded out of the way state. Because it requires pulling down, I only use it if I truly must. I will use my buddy's pocket before my own. I also stick little trash things into my sleeve or down my neck to avoid using the pocket.

I also had a little trouble dumping air while it was new but that has gotten much easier. I now can depend on it.

 

[kelpmermaid]

How did we miss this?

Anyway, I, too, dive the Libra now, but my first BC was the original Diva (not the LX.)

Kelphelper is correct about the Libra pocket being rather useless, but I'm not sure they are much better/accessible on the Diva. The reason I switched had to do with diving dry. The Libra is a back inflation BC, and the front is pretty much open, and I found that better with the drysuit. I think the Diva LX has a decent amount of lift, but the original in XS did not.

I have heard about the dumping problems, but that has not been my experience.

 

[ScottyK]

Yes, I'm about to beat the dead BP/Wing horse

My buddy/lovely lady originally dove the Diva. other than the stretch material being too tight on her chest, she liked it.

She then switched to an Oceanic Isla, which is cut to just avoid the chest. She loved that BC, and wound up buying a second one when the new QLR weight pockets came out last spring.

Then she got a look at, and tried out the Halcyon MC system. She now feels that both of the aforementioned brands are vastly inferior to her new setup.

If someone had given me a heads up, like I'm giving you, I'd have saved about $900, so it's something to consider.

BTW- I have a hardly used size S Isla BC for sale if anyones interested

Good luck.....

Scott

 

[AquaPixie]

HI Scott... Tell me more about your size S Isla BC for sale- Do you have a pix?
I personally have a Libra, i think the 3 things i dislike about it the most are:
1. no cumberbun.. im a very petite gal and find that the waist straps tend to slip a bit after a while (especially with an 80cu. steel tank).

2. The upper buckel is really uncomftable across the chest

3. The pocket is useless.

I tried on the Diva and the Oceanic Isla but chose at the time to go with the Libra due to finacial restrictions.

If you could send/post a pix and some more info, I may be interested.

Happy Diving - A.

 

[H2Andy]

"2. The upper buckel is really uncomftable across the chest"

i love my oceanic probe, but i HATE that upper buckle. i never use it, and inevitably
it got untucked and bugged me.

so, on my third or fourth dive, i just cut the straps and removed it. you don't really need it. i don't know why they add it.

 

[ScottyK]

"2. The upper buckel is really uncomftable across the chest"

i love my oceanic probe, but i HATE that upper buckle. i never use it, and inevitably
it got untucked and bugged me.

so, on my third or fourth dive, i just cut the straps and removed it. you don't really need it. i don't know why they add it.

LOL- My Chute III has that strap, but it never bothered me. Jen hated it, bought the Isla, and never looked back.

Is the Probe a jacket style? If so, I'm thinking that the chest strap would really start constricting you if you filled the bladder.

Aquapixie- I'll PM you about the BC so we don't hijack the thread.....

Scott

 

[itziar]

I wear the Libra and can tell you my thoughts on it. I wish it had a better pocket. You may know that the pocket is a pull-down type that normally is out of site and non-usable in its folded out of the way state. Because it requires pulling down, I only use it if I truly must. I will use my buddy's pocket before my own. I also stick little trash things into my sleeve or down my neck to avoid using the pocket.

Hmmm... I have a very different experience with the pocket. I actually use it all the time without pulling it down, and I love it, but then, I rarely collect anything when I am diving. I usually carry in the pocket, in a folded position: a slate of ~ 6.5x4 inches, a pencil, and ocasioanally also a safety sausage. So far I have found it very useful, and do not wish for anything larger. I actually like the fact that it takes no space around my waist.

The only thing that is bugging me about the Libra is the tank strap. My tank has come out twice while I was diving. This seems to be a common feature with the Seaquest BCDs, as per one other thread in the Tanks section of this forum.

Apart from the strap thing, I like the Libra much better than any other BCD I have tried.

-- Itziar

 

[CuriousMe]

I haven't used the Libra....but it seems that the Libra's well represented <smile>

I have the Diva LX. I love it. As KelperMaid stated, the LX is back inflate....well kinda, it's a hybrid. It has a wing off the back, but it also has bladders in the lower front which make it easier to stay vertical at the surface. I haven't noticed any real squeeze when inflating it at the surface since most of the air goes in the wing behind you.

If possible, try both in the water and see which fits you best.

Peace,
Cathie