Wet Bc???

[AmyJ]

I know this has been addressed or at least mentioned before, but I just want to confirm. My SO is getting me a BC for Christmas and knows enough to not do that on his own. I am seriously considering the Zena and maybe the Diva LX.

I have a serious fitting problem with BCs mostly due to short back... and the thing is, that what appears to fit on land, looks VERY VERY different (in a not good way) in the water. Poor Dennis from Diablo Divers can testify to this!!!! poor guy! .....

So here's the dilemma, I often hear folks here saying they try BCs in the water... which is obviously what I need to do, but every LDS (and some not so local) around here has looked at me like I am off my rocker!!!! no way can you get a BC wet. Period! So what in the **** is a poor girl to do??

 

[AmyJ]

Hello??????

 

[Damselfish]

...only been 9.5 hours, most of which people in US were sleeping.

It's nice to try on in theory and everyone says that, but practically speaking it seems pretty hard to find someone who will let you. Sometimes you can find a place that has what you want, or something similar enough, in their rentals. Or maybe you can find a diver locally with what you want who is willing to let you try theirs.

 

[AmyJ]

I know...... Not trying to be impatient... but hubby is... he's nipping at my heels to drive to Cincinnati (at least an hour) this morning and buy the BC... I'm stalling and hoping for some advice. Thanks

 

[Mick_O]

My instructor told me flat out that if the LDS won't let you get wet in gear you're thinking about buying, don't buy it there. I had the exact same question for him a while back, and he said if the LDS gave me any trouble, to give him a call and he'd go in with me a 'talk' to the LDS.

Car dealerships let you test drive their cars, right?

 

[DennisW]

Try the BC, if the LDS won't let you, find another shop. My wife tried nearly every mask in the shop, in the pool, before she picked the one that fit right.

 

[RonFrank]

I do NOT have first hand experience with the Zena, however the Zeagle Ranger (own) and the Escapes (have dived) are both VERY adjustable.

My local DS has some Escapes on the rental/student equipment rack. One can try those wet, so maybe you could find a DS that rents one of the Zeagle BC's. However you should be able to get a good idea of fit when dry as BC's don't streach underwater. The back inflate is MUCH better vs. Jacket style if you are having difficulty when the BC is inflated with squeeze.

You may want to give ScubaToys a call, and discuss sizing options on the Zeagles with them. They are VERY helpful, and there prices, while maybe not as low as LP, are MUCH better than any LDS in my area. Plus, based on my limited experience with them, they will go out of their way to provide great customer service.

If the Zena is not as flexible as needed, then I believe the Concept is very modular. I know one can combine a small BCD with a Large belt and Medium Shoulder straps for example making it VERY flexible. My medium Ranger can accomodate a HUGE variety of sizes by adjusting the position of the various components.

For my $$$ I love Zeagle. The Ranger is well made, solid, and I was so impressed that I also purchased a Zeagle Reg (plus the Reg reviews were about as good as it gets). Bonus, this stuff is made in the USA!

Ron

I know this has been addressed or at least mentioned before, but I just want to confirm. My SO is getting me a BC for Christmas and knows enough to not do that on his own. I am seriously considering the Zena and maybe the Diva LX.

I have a serious fitting problem with BCs mostly due to short back... and the thing is, that what appears to fit on land, looks VERY VERY different (in a not good way) in the water. Poor Dennis from Diablo Divers can testify to this!!!! poor guy! .....

So here's the dilemma, I often hear folks here saying they try BCs in the water... which is obviously what I need to do, but every LDS (and some not so local) around here has looked at me like I am off my rocker!!!! no way can you get a BC wet. Period! So what in the **** is a poor girl to do??

 

[ScottZeagle]

Amy,

One thing I can tell you about the Zena Bc is that is has a component system. You can make the vest section one size, the shoulders another size, and the front panel yet another size, should the need arise. If you want to send me a PM, or call me @ Zeagle, I will see what dealer is around you and try to arrange a test run....

Scott

 

[RonFrank]

My instructor told me flat out that if the LDS won't let you get wet in gear you're thinking about buying, don't buy it there. I had the exact same question for him a while back, and he said if the LDS gave me any trouble, to give him a call and he'd go in with me a 'talk' to the LDS.

Car dealerships let you test drive their cars, right?

That this is true for all things in diving...

The LDS's I use will let people try things that they have in the rental/student area. They have a reasonable selection of BCD's/Regs/Suits/Fins. However they are NOT going to pull a Zena off the shelf, and turn it into used gear for a *potential* sale.

If you purchased it, and used it, they would exchange it within some timeframe IF you have a valid complaint/reason for doing so.

I'm not sure one can expect a DS to just let any potential customer come in and turn new gear into used without a commitment to the sale. When I purchase NEW stuff, I expect it to be exactly that.... never in the water.

Ron