Looking to purchase BC for my daughter

[jwalko]

Hi all:

I hope someone can offer me some advice. I am looking to buy a BC for my daughter (she is about 5' and maybe 100 lbs). I don't want to go with a "Jr." BC, as I want her to get some years out of it. But I also don't want to break the bank (hoping for $200 or less).

Anyway, I would like it to be weight integrated (but that isn't critical) and would like it to be able to stand up to some abuse. She has only ever used rental BCs (vest style), so really doesn't have an opinion as to what she likes or dislikes.

Can anyone offer me some advice as to what to look for, recommend brands, etc.

Are there any places I could find comparisons between different BC's?

Thanks;

John Walko

 

[PerroneFord]

Would you spend more than $200 if it would last the rest of her life?

 

[jwalko]

Actually, I might have to spend a little more.

The $200 was an arbitrary number...I am just looking to keep my costs down.

Any advice?

John

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Here's a nice little BC for the price: Mares Vector at Diver's Direct

 

[Wayward Son]

You can get a Zeagle Zena that is weight integrated & has a lifetime warranty. You can also buy different size components to the harness as needed to match her growth, so you don't get stuck having to replace the entire BC. But they do run about $400 or more. My LDS quoted me $400 or maybe just a bit more for one that I plan to get for my daughter. If you PM ScottZeagle on this site he will tell you what measuremenst he needs to tell you exactly how to configure one to fit her.

 

[Phil Mintz]

Hi,

The Kaila womens BC from Mares is weight integrated, it comes in XXS and has many adjustments for when she grows taller. It is over $400, but will last her for many many years. http://www.mares.com/product_detail.php?id=91&region=USA

Phil

 

[neophyte]

I'm surprised no one's suggested a bp/wing (backplate and wing) yet. They're not everyone's favorite, but an awful lot of people (especially here on Scubaboard) seem to love them. I sure love mine. They're modular and (depending on the harness used) can be pretty much infinitely adjustable.

I would suggest talking to Tobin of Deep Sea Supply. His product is as good as it gets and he's a tremendously helpful member of this board. I can't imagine him trying to sell you something he didn't consider the very best for your daughter, and he sure knows his stuff.

He's posted on here about the pink and purple wings he carries, and how they were made for his daughters, so the subject won't be foreign to him.

I should mention that my only affiliation with DSS is being a satisfied customer, and lucky enough to live near their manufacturing plant. When I was looking for a bp/wing I gave him a call and ended up over at the plant that day. He spent well over an hour helping me make the best choice for me, even steering me away from some choices that would've earned him greater profits.

The website is at http://www.deepseasupply.com/
Tobin's name here on the board is cool_hardware52

He's quite the resource. Give him call, send an email or PM, you won't regret it.

 

[PerroneFord]

I wasn't going to go there, but simply allude to it. It's the last BC she'd ever need to buy. Maybe refresh the wing later on, but imagine a nice pink wing, with some pink webbing....

 

[riguerin]

I bought my son a nice little Zeagle Brigade from ScubaToys. He's approx 5'0" and 82 lbs. The size XS fits him perfect with plenty of room to grow. A nice feature of the BC (as well as most Zeagle products) is the Personal Fit System (PFS) which allows individual components, such as the vest and shoulder straps, to be swapped out for other sizes. This allows the BC to grow as your child does. The Brigade costs around $400, but it is a well made product that should last for many years.

 

[TSandM]

I ended up with a BP/W because I'm a very small woman and couldn't find anything that fit me well. The advantage of the BP/W is that the harness is infinitely adjustable, so you can let it out as she grows, and she stays with the equipment she knows.