Zeagle Zena or Brigade?

[LittleObie]

Hey Folks --

I've been lurking about here for a number of years now and I finally
have a question.
Within the next month or so I plan to buy my daughter either a Zeagle
Zena or a Zeagle Brigade. I now the Zena is designed for women but I
was wondering if any of you lady divers out there use a Brigade? Specifically,
how does it fit and function on the female form? Are there any drawbacks?

Thanks much, and
Best regards to all

 

[Jarrett]

I took my daughter to buy a BC and had the Zena in mind for her. My 11-year old daughter tried on both at Scubatoys and picked the Brigade. So did my 14-year old niece and two other women I know. My female DM and a female photographer in Cozumel tried on my daughter's Brigade and loved it as well.

I've never actually thought much about it before your question, but now I think about it I don't know of one woman I have heard of that preferred the Zena over the Brigade I'm sure there are some that do though.

 

[rakkis]

If you're asking about FEEL I wouldn't trust anybody but myself. Every body's different. Put one on.

 

[bperrybap]

I've got a Brigade and my wife has the Zena.
She tried on many different BCs before she picked the Zena.
It fits her great. She loves it.
It has a corsett that is shaped for a womans
body and all their curves.

The zena is MUCH more compact and less bulky than the brigade
which is great for packing. It weighs alot less too.
The Zena doesn't have the side pockets like the Brigade
and has only the 2 lower D rings.

The corrogated hose that comes with the Brigade is VERY stiff
and doesn't have near the elasticity of the hose that comes with
the Zena. i.e. the Zena will be much easier to dump air by tugging
on the hose than the Brigade.

The best thing when selecting BCs is to actually try the BCs on
and see which ones fit the best.

--- bill

 

[bperrybap]

.... Zena doesn't have the side pockets like the Brigade
and has only the 2 lower D rings.

The corrogated hose that comes with the Brigade is VERY stiff
and doesn't have near the elasticity of the hose that comes with
the Zena. i.e. the Zena will be much easier to dump air by tugging
on the hose than the Brigade.

--- bill

I was at ScubaToys today and while there, took a look at the Zenas.
There are actually 2 versions. Not sure which is new vs old.
1 has the 2 1.5" D-rings and the softer easier to stretch corrogated
hose. The other has 2 addtional 1" D-rings at the waist line on
the corsett and has the same stiff hose as the Brigade.
The one with the 2 addtional D-rings has a softer stretcher
corsett material too.

--- bill

 

[LittleObie]

Thanks for all the input. It sounds like I won't go wrong
getting either one for my daughter.

Best to all!

 

[Chad Carney]

You might also consider the new Zeagle BC called the Lazer, which is sort of between those two mentioned.

It's light weight like the Zena, but tougher, like it's twin brother, the Stiletto.

The harness is not like the Zena, it's more similar to the Brigade, but lighter and with thinner shoulder straps.

The bladder of the Brigade and Zena are the same, but the Lazer's is tougher and has winglet clips.

Zeagle.com does not have it up yet, but outwardly it really looks like the Stiletto. Same price too, $539 MSRP.
http://www.zeagle.com/index.php?sub...ink=RecreationalBCs&category=Recreational BCs

Sorry, I don't have my sample yet, or I'd post a photo.

Chad

 

[Wayward Son]

I bought a Zena for my daughter & she's thrilled with it.