Quest For A Proper Female Bcd???

[ProfessorAronnax]

Jessica Alba wore a ZENA during the shooting of "Into the Blue"

We have it for $463.50

Here's the Zeagle link:
ZEAGLE ZENA BC

Here is our store link:
The Rapid Diver Store

 

[scubagal28]

I have a Scubapro LadyHawk and it is a back inflate and works great for a womans body. It has the open front so its not binding at all. Go to a Scubapro dealer and let her try one on. I tried several and this was by far the most comfortable and gives you a lot of free movement.

 

[TSandM]

laurel,

I no longer dive my Libra. In fact, you'd have to twist my arm to get me to dive anything but what I'm currently using. Witness the fact that I never returned it to the person from whom I was borrowing it, but just bought it.

There was nothing WRONG with the Libra. It's a nice BC, uncluttered and simple. But it just didn't ever fit quite right, and I was always shoving the tank back where it belonged. Not a problem any more. The ability to adjust the harness on the backplate to where it fits properly -- no matter what size or shape you are -- was a big deal for me.

 

[daniel f aleman]

The Zeagle Zena or the Scubapro Ladyhawk - each back inflate, are similar, both damn good.

 

[CaptainNemo]

My girlfriend just went through this and was able to try on just about all of the popular women's BC's. She has large flotation devices and the Oceanic Isla was the best for her do its adjustable straps at the waist. The Zeagle Zena is top notch but didn't fit her in the chest quite as well so it comes down to personal fit and comfort. Good Luck.

 

[PerroneFord]

Rap,

I'm going to make a guess that JESSICA ALBA didn't pay $463 for her Zeagle Zena. And for some reason, I thought Halcyon provided their gear. The pics I have seen from the movie all have the actors in BP/W setups. But I didn't see the movie.

-P

In case you missed my first post:

Jessica Alba wore a ZENA during the shooting of "Into the Blue"

I know ZEAGLE BCs carry a lifetime guarantee-just not sure if they will guarantee wife/girlfriend will resemble Jessica Alba when wearing one of their BCs. Will have to read the fine print

We have it for $463.50

 

[Dave McLean]

These are all good comments on the subject.

Some of the real challenges in designing for the female form is that torso length (the part where the BC harnessing attaches) can be very short on women. This presents a challenge in many ways. When you go wings, you can often have a big chunk of that wing hanging down below the buttocks. This can through your center of balance off quite a bit. When you go with an advanced design style your challenge is to have a torso style that can be comfortable with flotation, pockets, and a weight set wrapping around your rib cage, hips, and chest.

If I was helping you make a selection I would want to understand, body measurements, experience level, type of diving to be done, style preferences and likes before making a recommendation.

You should find some reference info on options in Women's BCs here: http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/best_bcs_for_women/

Best

Dave McLean

 

[Double_D]

My wife's vote (hands down) was for the Oceanic Isla. She liked the QLR system and the big pockets. She tried several of the other traditional vests mentioned in this thread. Her comments on the plusses and minuses surround the feel of the vest on her shoulders under load and her appreciation for the side adjustable straps (she's thin in the waist and ample in the bosom, so this was a selling point for her). She's not tried back inflation (yet). FWIW - good luck on your choice.

 

[dr_shappero]

Looks like a BP/W to me...

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0378109/M-366.jpg

 

[ScottZeagle]

I have heard good things about the Zeagle Zena, (though the zipper closure seems a bit sketchy to me), but people swear by them.

Just for the record, I have never seen a Zena BC come back for a problem with the zipper!!!

Good luck with the BC search!!!

Scott