Zeagle Zena BCD-What are the pros/cons??

[Tina L]

I've never heard of the TUSA Tina. Only just looked at it based on this thread. Walmart does seem to sell a bunch of things that seem out of their wheelhouse. Usually, they aren't really sold by Walmart, but by other sellers/companies that list on Walmart.com. Seems to be the case here.

It will come down to personal preference. The Tina is a jacket style, while the Zena is a back inflate. I much prefer the back inflate style. For obvious reasons (I'm a guy) I don't dive with a Zena. I dive with a Stiletto. My oldest daughter has a Lazel (discontinued female version of the Stiletto), and my youngest daughter has a Zena. It's a solid BC and she likes it.

For the name thing, I saw things like these in my Facebook feed recently. So, you could still have your name on your BC.

Personalized Embroidered Scuba BCD Name Tag Badge - Etsy

This Patches item by NorthshoreLaiePoint has 106 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Las Vegas, NV. Listed on Aug 19, 2024

www.etsy.com

Zena is solid and there are lots of ways to expand.
The Zip mount adapters are pretty cool. Gives you options to mount a variety of different things to your sides just forward of the bladder.
One modification I made to all 3 BCs is to move the trim pockets. The trim pockets come on the lower strap, but I prefer them on the top strap as it's easier to trim that way. That did complicate mounting the Zip mount, but not too hard. I just had to install them upside down.

Thank you for your reply. This was my first question to everyone on here EVER! I bought the cool Zeagle knife. I don’t know where to attach it to the strap around my waist. I can’t relocate it ( that’s the way it’s made).I also am unsure about the positioning of the extra pocket. I’m semi retired and plan to spend as much time in the water as possible. I’ve already paid for advanced training. I live very close to the water and will be going out alone (widow) to get accustomed to my new stuff after a WET dry run in the pool. There will be short dives into the gulf, perhaps weekly. That’s why i’m buying the back-up accoutrements immediately. I’ve always rented gear. Thank you.

 

[Tina L]

Just to play devils advocate here, my wife tried the Zeagle Zena based on all the rave reviews and absolutely hated it. She tried mixing and matching the various Zena components, thinking it just might be a sizing thing, but did not help at all. She found that no matter how it was adjusted the tank always felt floppy and poorly integrated with the main harness. The tank rolled from side to side with minimal change in position. She also found it tended to ride up a lot and would have benefited from a crotch strap. Finally, she did not like the horseshoe bladder as commonly air trapped in one side. In her words, “the Zena is pretty but not very practical” for her. She now uses a SS BP/donut wing /STA combo and absolutely loves it.

Thank you so much

 

[Tina L]

I've never heard of the TUSA Tina. Only just looked at it based on this thread. Walmart does seem to sell a bunch of things that seem out of their wheelhouse. Usually, they aren't really sold by Walmart, but by other sellers/companies that list on Walmart.com. Seems to be the case here.

It will come down to personal preference. The Tina is a jacket style, while the Zena is a back inflate. I much prefer the back inflate style. For obvious reasons (I'm a guy) I don't dive with a Zena. I dive with a Stiletto. My oldest daughter has a Lazel (discontinued female version of the Stiletto), and my youngest daughter has a Zena. It's a solid BC and she likes it.

For the name thing, I saw things like these in my Facebook feed recently. So, you could still have your name on your BC.

Personalized Embroidered Scuba BCD Name Tag Badge - Etsy

This Patches item by NorthshoreLaiePoint has 106 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Las Vegas, NV. Listed on Aug 19, 2024

www.etsy.com

Zena is solid and there are lots of ways to expand.
The Zip mount adapters are pretty cool. Gives you options to mount a variety of different things to your sides just forward of the bladder.
One modification I made to all 3 BCs is to move the trim pockets. The trim pockets come on the lower strap, but I prefer them on the top strap as it's easier to trim that way. That did complicate mounting the Zip mount, but not too hard. I just had to install them upside down.

You were just awesome. I am totally getting that embroidered thing.