Sizing, sight unseen

[Moogyboy]

all

Here's a question I'm not sure has been brought up. Say I want to buy a BCD online. I know what make and model I want, it's got all the features and the price is absolutely unbeatable. I can have it in two days.

I have a choice of six sizes and no idea what "Large" or "X-Large" actually mean in terms of what kinds of bodies dimensions they will fit.

The obvious answer is to find someplace that carries those same BCDs and try them on, preferably in the water. But what if, just supposing, I can't find them, or I don't want to offend my friendly LDS owner who does stock them by ultimately going somewhere cheaper, or even if it's an older or discontinued model. Maybe I'm just hot to get one right now, this second. (Just supposing.)

Question, then, is if there are any rules of thumb or reference or anything for figuring out the size of a BCD and which size will fit me without actually physically trying it on.

I await your scolding.

cheerio

Billy S.

 

[startag]

all

Here's a question I'm not sure has been brought up. Say I want to buy a BCD online. I know what make and model I want, it's got all the features and the price is absolutely unbeatable. I can have it in two days.

I have a choice of six sizes and no idea what "Large" or "X-Large" actually mean in terms of what kinds of bodies dimensions they will fit.

The obvious answer is to find someplace that carries those same BCDs and try them on, preferably in the water. But what if, just supposing, I can't find them, or I don't want to offend my friendly LDS owner who does stock them by ultimately going somewhere cheaper, or even if it's an older or discontinued model. Maybe I'm just hot to get one right now, this second. (Just supposing.)

Question, then, is if there are any rules of thumb or reference or anything for figuring out the size of a BCD and which size will fit me without actually physically trying it on.

I await your scolding.

cheerio

Billy S.

Well if you can get a chance to try them on in your LDS than thats obviously the best solution. However many online dealers have size charts with this information on it. These do tend to depend on the brand of the BC you're looking at and since you didn't list the brand of BC its kinda hard to give you a link.

Here's some sizing charts found on Joediveramerica.com.

http://www.joediveramerica.com/size_charts.html

Im not sure if thats one of the brands you're interested in but its the only site I can remember now and I really wanna get to bed.

Regards

 

[Moogyboy]

Sorry, I was thinking generic info/resources because I never know which brand is gonna offer The One.

Right now one of the frontrunners is Genesis.

Billy S.

 

[Moogyboy]

Thanks for the link, btw.

I already have an old Dacor Nautica, and as I expected according to Joediver I am a Large, just like what I have now.

Billy S.

 

[scubatoys]

I have found a lot of charts don't mean much. For example, if your about 6 foot and 200 lbs, which size Zeagle do you need... Answer... can't answer... not enough info. Are you diving just warm water in a bathing suit or a light suit?? Or are you putting on heavy undergarments and a dry suit?? Are you going to add the back pad??

All those things will throw off the sizing and have it vary from a Medium to a Large really quick. Or what if your 6'4 and 190 - then you need a medium waist panel, and Large shoulders in it.

I'd say, if you don't know, talk to the folks you're getting it from... then also find out what their exchange policy is on wrong sizing.

 

[SDAnderson]

Well if you can get a chance to try them on in your LDS than thats obviously the best solution.

I'm fine with ordering stuff on-line, I routinely do. That said, there are reasons that the LDS is often more expensive than online shops and offering the opportunity to try things on before buying is one of them.

It's okay to not want to pay the extra that an LDS has to charge. It's not okay to avail yourself of his services with no intention of paying him for his time.

I don't own a shop, but if did and somebody had the stones to come in, try on a bunch of gear and then bought it from an online source, I'd be looking for a way to get even. Free CO fills, anybody?

 

[startag]

It's okay to not want to pay the extra that an LDS has to charge. It's not okay to avail yourself of his services with no intention of paying him for his time.

I don't own a shop, but if did and somebody had the stones to come in, try on a bunch of gear and then bought it from an online source, I'd be looking for a way to get even. Free CO fills, anybody?

I totally agree with you on that one. Going into your LDS, trying on a BC, saying 'thanks' and walking out then buying it online is a total kick in the balls ('scuse the lang) to your LDS. The prices are higher, but part of what you're paying for is the service and the abilitly to try on the product before you purchase it. I believe i may have just incorrectly phrased what i meant to say. What i was trying to say is that there is no substitute for tryin on the BC before you purchase it. Whether this be from a friend or other source is your own problem. And yes, if someone came into my shop to try something on and then went to purchase it online, I'd definitely be VERY displeased.

 

[Boogie711]

You're dealing with a large forum of Internet users, so by default, we're quite Internet shopping friendly. I've bought a lot of stuff online. But no one here will advocate trying something on in an LDS and then buying it later online. That's a low-class thing to do and if you pull it off, you deserve the scolding, ridicule and everything else you get.

By the way - a backplate and wing is universally adjustable, can be purchased online, and lasts forever. Food for thought.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The LDS has to pay up front for the equipment they stock and then has to sit on it with the money invested until someone buys it. That relatively large overhead to increase service to a relativelty small sales volume is why an LDS cannot compete with an online retailer.

The LDS does that in order to be able to allow their customers to see, feel, and try on the gear prior to purchase. So lets not mince any words here, going into a shop and trying on gear with absolutely no intention of buying it is wrong. The LDS has paid money to be able to provide a service to their customers and you benefit from that service by pretending to be a potential customer. That is a very fraudulent thing for an online buyer to do. Sadly it's not something that anybody will get convicted for, but it does not make it any less wrong.

If you want to buy on line, that is entirely fine, but have the integrity to rely on a size chart or phone advice and then take your chances. The risk of something not fitting and the inconvenience of returns are the costs you have to bear in order to obtain the lower price on-line retailers can offer.

If you want to see it, feel it, try it on prior to buying and have the ease of returing it with no delays or shipping charges then have the balls to pony up the bucks and buy from your LDS in the first place.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I have a choice of six sizes and no idea what "Large" or "X-Large" actually mean in terms of what kinds of bodies dimensions they will fit.

I'd say, if you don't know, talk to the folks you're getting it from... then also find out what their exchange policy is on wrong sizing.

Better yet, talk to Larry... He helped me with sizing when I bought equipment for both my wife and I. The wife's didn't quite fit right but the replacement was no hassle. In fact it was really easy because they pointed out that with her Zena, all I had to do was send in the small light strip of fabric that clips to the front.

They have great prices and are now matching LP.

Of course the other option is to get a BP. One size fits all...