Mares Kaila

[gracefulc]

Just came back from trying on the new Mares Kaila. Originally entered the shop intended to try on the Ladyhawk as it was what I intended to purchase and the salesman persuaded me to compare it to the Mares Kaila. It's just out, part of the "Spring 2006 Preview" according to the web, and it felt WONDERFUL. Haven't had it in water yet (that's wednesday, will take it in the pool and then probably buy it) but it has great back padding and didn't sacrifice the length of the torso like the ladyhawk does. instead it cut away from the hips, but kept the length for the main stomach/low back area, so those of us females who are tall (6ft in my case) actually fit it!

Anybody heard ANYTHING good or bad on this BCD?

 

[scubatoys]

We just got them in too... We've sold a few of them already, and the girls who got them, loved them! Now they didn't have your height... about 5'7", and the other a bit shorter than that... and one ended up with a small, the other a medium. But yes, it seems like Mares kicked up their design and quality a notch with these new BCs.

 

[erdoc1]

Just came back from trying on the new Mares Kaila. Originally entered the shop intended to try on the Ladyhawk as it was what I intended to purchase and the salesman persuaded me to compare it to the Mares Kaila. It's just out, part of the "Spring 2006 Preview" according to the web, and it felt WONDERFUL. Haven't had it in water yet (that's wednesday, will take it in the pool and then probably buy it) but it has great back padding and didn't sacrifice the length of the torso like the ladyhawk does. instead it cut away from the hips, but kept the length for the main stomach/low back area, so those of us females who are tall (6ft in my case) actually fit it!

Anybody heard ANYTHING good or bad on this BCD?

So - now that you've taken it out, how is it? I'm thinking of purchasing one too, tried on a dragonfly ariel yesterday and loved the fit, then realized it's been discontinued and now I'm lost as to which BC to get.

 

[gracefulc]

erdoc1 - I have definitely taken it out! I've gotten about 13 dives in on it in the last month and I absolutely LOVE this bc! I am totally comfortable in it; buoyancy is much easier to control, plus you have the option of 3 different quick dumps. (never had to use any of them, but it is nice to know they are there and within easy reach!)

Pros: VERY comfortable, esp if you're a female with a long torso. Fits well and doesn't ride up or cause my weight harness to rub on me. Clips are positioned well so it's easy to just un-clip it to take it off. Easy to adjust once've messed with it a bit. Weight integrated pockets are nice and big; I only carry 3 lbs in each pocket but I could probably fit 10lbs EASILY and it isn't bulky. Also can integrate a few pounds in the back ( I have 2, 2 pounders in back). Pockets are good sized (keep a pair of shears in one and my backup light in the other and have just enough room to squeeze in a bottle of mask de-fog or something along those lines). Also has d-rings positioned nicely for console and octo holders. 1 large D-ring on each shoulder; very sturdy; I've had my octo and canon light on one D-ring and a camera clipped on the other no problem. The BIGGEST plus of this BC: I don't notice it. I am completely comfortable in the water with it; once I figured out how I wanted it set up, I know exactly where everything is and can find whatever I need even crappy conditions.

Cons: I would like another D-ring on each shoulder. why is it that ALL womens BCDs only get 1 d-ring at best per shoulder? GRR. only other possible con - the handle is stitched in just above the tank holder, so it can be hard to carry the BC with a tank attached, but you learn how to do it.

Any other questions on it just pm me! I will happily rave about this BC as much as you want!

 

[Mattard]

My wife and I have been going round shops and looking at web sites for the past couple of weeks to buy our BCDs.
It has boiled down to Kaila or Diva for her and Pro QD or Dragon for myself.

Just as we had practically decided to go for the kaila and Dragon , we came upon a review in the scubalab magazine dated Oct 2006.

In this review it said that the Kaila is great as comfort but the rear and the inflator / deflator valve do not release air quickly enough. This made the review give the bcd bad marks for ascent control and also shed doubts on the safety factor in the case of a stuck inflator push.

Both of us are now confused as the question comes automatically: does the dragon suffer from similar problems if it belongs to the same family as the Kaila ?

Can some users ( Kaila or Dragon ) give us their views please as I have to decide this week and I am not quite sure if I will stick to our decision to go for the Mares BCDs with the doubt that this review has casted in our minds !
Tks
Maurice