Quest For A Proper Female Bcd???

[Bratface]

I dive with a Scuba Pro Lady Hawk. I like the back inflation and the fit is perfect for me. The only thing I would change is adding another pocket. It has one drop down pocket (rolls up under the weight pockets). It had enough D-rings to clip everything onto, but I like to carry a signal mirror and would like a small pocket on the cumberbun. (My old BC which was a Scuba Pro Glide had the cumberbun pocket.)

OK, I know i probably spelled cumber bun wrong.

 

[Ishie]

I'll second the DiveRite Transpac. I have the Transpac II, don't know if there's a big difference.

Though I like the improved trim, I got the Transpac above a jacket BC exclusively because when inflated, it doesn't squeeze anything. I have a short torso, so I have the weight pockets, since any BC with a weight belt causes problems with the straps tangling. Everything is adjustable and it's quite well padded, so you can get a perfect fit without it riding up or shifting. I tried a lot of made for women BCs, and a couple regular back inflate BC, and didn't particularly care for them as far as perfect comfort (though prior to that, I'd been using an ancient unisex scubapro, so anything's better), but my LDS led me to the DiveRite after I asked about the Zeagle and Halcyon and wasn't as fond of them.

A bit of sticker shock on them though, and in retrospect, since I dive cold water, I wish I'd gotten a slightly larger wing than the Venture.

 

[PerroneFord]

I'd been using an ancient unisex scubapro, so anything's better), but my LDS led me to the DiveRite after I asked about the Zeagle and Halcyon and wasn't as fond of them.

Out of curiousity, did your LDS carry either of these other two brands? Just wondering if this was one of those deals you often hear about where the shop "talks down" stuff they don't carry, then "talks up" their highest margin product.

 

[combatdiver37]

Thanks for all your input into a woman's BCD. My wife purchased a DACOR Elite and is more than happy with the quality and the price of the item. The article comes with a weight incorporated system versus a belt system and at the back beside the cylinder there is some ''trim weight pockets'' to insert weights. Could anyone tell me how much weight ratio should go in the back of this BCD?????

 

[Dave McLean]

Torso length variability is a tremendous factor in determining the surface comfort of a BC. The real question is whether -say 50 dives later- you feel that the preformance of the BC is adequate. Too often, and to manufacturers' advantage, you make a buying decision on dryland based on horizontal/ in shop comfort. I can't speak to whether you will be both comfortable and efficient in the water based on that decision. More so than a man, I counsel to dive before you buy a "woman's BC. SOmetimes the right choices on land aren't the right choices in water.

Good to hear too that your wife is happy with her purchase!

Catch my talk - "The History of BCs" at the Waimea Brewing Company - Kirkland, WA January 17th at 7:00 PM/

 

[DiveMaven]

I started with a Diva and hated it after only 20 post cert dives. Found it never fit well, rode up on my body, and shifted all over the place while diving. I quickly switched to the Zeagle Zena and I'm totally sold on both the back inflation and the "corset" design. The front panel holds the BC securely to my body, there are no pressure points, no cumberbun, and no chest strap. The two straps ensure that the Zena is perfectly set and tightened on the body for maximum comfort and allow for no shifting. Although the zipper looks like it would be a pain, I find it easier than the cumberbun design with velcro and buckles.

Remember that the Zena is a fully modular BC like all Zeagles. The beauty of it is that you can customize the fit by using different shoulder and front panels. And you can also customize it for the type of diving you're doing with the two different sized bladders.

I strongly recommend that any female diver looking for a new BC TRY the Zena. Like anything, there isn't one BC for everyone, but the Zena is well worth the time to find and try.

 

[Ishie]

Out of curiousity, did your LDS carry either of these other two brands? Just wondering if this was one of those deals you often hear about where the shop "talks down" stuff they don't carry, then "talks up" their highest margin product.

Sorry, just saw this now.

Yup, my LDS carries all three brands. The DR was actually the lowest priced. I came in asking about the Halcyon, which was the one of choice for the girl (DIR, non fundie) that was helping me. She loves hers, and eagerly showed me their stock, but they were a little pricey and a little too bare bones for me. I told her that and asked about the Zeagle, which she also showed me, and was a bit more expensive than the DR, which I hadn't really considered much. While I was looking at the Zeagle, her eyes lit up and said they had a really good sale going on the DR, particularly one size that she thought would fit me, so she hooked me up with it and got me all the bells and whistles on it for about 200$ less than the LDS I no longer frequent was charging, plus knocked another 10-20% off the price for kicks.

So actually the lowest margin BC, and not her favorite, since she really likes the Halcyon's, but she said she really liked the DRs too and that they were quite popular and for someone looking for a little bit more stuff on their BC, it was a good choice. She said something like "Hey, I love my Halcyon, but you have to dive what you like and what's comfortable for you, otherwise we'd only be selling one set of gear."

I love my LDS.

 

[cummings66]

at the back beside the cylinder there is some ''trim weight pockets'' to insert weights. Could anyone tell me how much weight ratio should go in the back of this BCD?????

The trim pockets are for trim, the amount of weight to go in them will vary according to how out of trim she is.

There is usually a limit to how much weight the ditchable pockets hold, so if you have more weight than you can place in there then you'll have to use either a belt or the trim pockets.

I of course didn't dive that BC but did discover that about half my lead was in the trim pockets, 1/4 in the ditchable, and 1/4 on the top of the tank to get my trim right. You just have to play with it and see.

 

[ththooft]

I drive with 22 pounds total in a 7mm wetsuit and I keep 8-10 of that in the trim pockets. I've played around with placement quite a bit, and that's what I like right now. It really just depends on the idividual.

 

[Code Monkey]

My wife and daughter use a Diva and an Elan (but I can't remember who has which). They're both pretty happy with their setups with the exception that neither BC has very big pockets.