I have done my search but only find old posts, although I woud swear there was a recent dicsussion on this. I need to quickly buy a new bc.

:-( My bc was tight last trip and after gaining even more weight it's time to get a new one. Women, I need your advice. Or maybe you guys at dive shops. What would you recoimmend for comfort, ease, and price for a woman's bc?

I'll be interested in this conversation as well, as mine is getting very old and faded. So mine will have to have pink in it, y'know.

HI Kathy .. I hope we get some discussion quick :-) I want to buy it or oder it today. We will be on Bonaire in 2 weeks and we were planning to do a check out dive today when I realized how small my bc is! sighhhhhhh

I am searching the internet and I am concerned about sizes. One brand shows the hight increasing as well as lbs as sizes increases. I'd have to be very tall for a large in that brand.

Jacket style or back inflation?

I have an Oceanic Hera...I realize it's the only one I've ever had, well, the 2nd, I had one just like it and it had something wrong and I had no problem exchanging it, but I tried a bunch on before I decided on it. I love it. Very comfortable, easy to use pockets, ease of putting in and releasing weights (it's weight integrated), and it's pretty. It's VERY comfortable!!
Kathy, I did see one in a Diver's Direct ad that had pink on it...I don't know what kind it was. But, it had PINK!!!!!!!

Tom, I don't think I have a preference. Your thoughts? I was jsut looking up dive shops in my area to go see but I am at loss as to what would be reasonable. There is another in Portland that is open today. Years ago there was a GREAT dive shop I would go to, they closed 'cause got caught by the 'tax man' :-(

I was just looking at the Oceanic Hera on line PS. But the large size calls for a 5'7 and taller person ????? I am about 5' 1"

I don't know if this helps, but mine's a medium and I'm 6ft...Hmmmm, sounds like they may be too long for you.... It doesn't come down real far on me, it's just right. And there's lots of room for adjustment on it. I think you would have to try one on. It says it's Custom...I didn't order it special, how can it be custom???

Denise do a keyword search on BCD you will get some its and some more information for instance: intergrated or weight belt??

The price should depend on what the bcd is constructed of and offers as far as bells and whistles. I won't talk prices on boards anymore as some people want cadillacs yet, only want to pay for Yugos.

P.S., have seen the word "custom" used in several bcd's descriptions. Usually it means that the company has put in extra adjustment features, i.e. capability to adjust cumberbund in back of backplate as well as front and adjusting the shoulder straps under the padding.

I also suggest going to your local dive shop and purchasing this item... you will be supporting your local dive shop.. a wonderful thing to do..and you can get the fit and BCD that is right for you.. and perhaps try it in their pool..{not all dive shops have pools, I know}

Denise. I had a Zeagle ranger from day one to this year. Loved it, but didn't like the new version when my original needed replacement. My hubby picked up a back plate & bladder set up for me for Christmas. The shop took the time to fit every thing for me and made adjustments after I tried it out in their pool. I LOVE the fit and the fact that I can add all the D rings I want. I'm used to not having pockets so there was no adjustment there.

Good luck - and have a GREAT trip to Bon!

Hi Tom, thanks, only asking for thoughts not shopping here on BT, definitely not looking for a cadillac. I drive a Focus :-)

And Freddie, I have already done my homework by doing a search, got lots of old hits. I understand the different types. I just don't have experience with much of anything except my basic bc with a weight belt. Which is why I was looking for up to date discussion. I have also done an on line search to know what to expect for a range of pricing.

I do try to support my lds's. I am going to one in about a half hour. Again, I was just looking for up to date comments.

Linda, what did you not like about the new Zeagle?

Thank you PS and Linda.

Good luck at Johnson's!!!

1) Other than fit, understand what you like or hate about your current BC. Are the pockets a must have? Is weight integration something you want? What about trim pockets? Back or front inflate? Are the dump valves in a place that works for you? Do you ever sling a pony or second tank (and hence need sturdy d rings)?

2) Try and rent the bc for the day before you buy it. This is the best way to gauge fit. If not, at least try the BC on with and w/o a tank. Does it feel stable above water? (Pretend you are doing a shore entry). Does the tank ride where it should or does it seem to pull the bc towards your back (i.e., make the inflate hose hard to reach)

3) Look at other forums like scubaboard or those on the Rodale's sight. BCs are a universal thing and you will get much broader input there (and I tell them the reverse when they want info on a specific place like Bonaire)

Denise,
Good luck! I don't envy your situation as I, too, need a new BC and gave up looking for a while! I have a Dive Rite setup that I'm tired of. (Truth be known I've gotten fatter and it's gotten worse fitting LOL!)

The last three trips to BON I just rented a jacket style BC from Buddy's and called it a trip Saved me some space in my suitcase for sure. It was $50 for the week but I didn't care! That dough would go a long way toward something new but I can't find anything I currently like.

Again, good luck and let us know how you make out!

believe it or not my husband bought on island at carrib inn. the cost was about the same or even a little cheaper.
es

Good point, Elaine! Bruce has some good stuff at good prices.

Denise, let us know how you make out. I still am wearing my very first BC, yes, it is getting a tad bit old and faded, but still fits. It is an Oceanic and I love it. Problem is that there aren't any Oceanic dealers on Bonaire. I have since gotten parts for it now and keep them on island, so if I have an issue or problem, at least I can get it taken care of. My next BC will not be an Oceanic due to that, and will go try on lots and lots till I find the perfect fit. I do like the ones that I don't have to wear a weight belt anymore. Weights just slide into the side pockets and attach. They feel so much nicer. Lots of makes to choose from and styles. Have fun shopping.

Hey Denise, The current "new" Zeagle is really nice. It came out after Terry picked up the system I have today. The Zeagle model from the year before (I think) had some sort of plastic wiring you pulled to dump integrated weights. I always dumped my weight pockets (velcroed) each time I changed tanks. The thought of threading and rethreading the thing . . . well..

Kathy, The new Zeagle rangers have nice bright pink of blue shoulder straps.

Johnson's was good - although I did not yet buy a bcd, I did buy a Henderson's Hyperstretch shorty. I am thinking about a Seaquest Diva LX. I like it, just haven't decided. She did not have my size and is going to look into a couple of options and will give me a call on Tuesday. Worse comes to worse, I'll rent. A problem with small dive shops in New England is that they don't carry much to be able to compare options. But they do try to help as much as possible. Johnson's in Portland, ME is where I've done pretty well over the years. I thought they had closed! This is the third Henderson I've bought there over the years, previous ones were polartech fleece lined skins.

I emailed Bruce at Carib Inn to see if he has the Diva in my size since he carries Seaquest.

Denise, the SeaQuest Eva is an extremely popular jacket style BCD. I am glad you went to Johnson's, too bad they did not have the vest in your size.

I still might get it through Johnson's. We'll see. Glad to hear your comment regarding it, reassuring :-) I see a dive shop in Portsmouth, NH caries it. I can call them tomorrow. They have a Diva QD, the picture is pink.

Denise, I have an idea. Come down to the FL Maxi Meet and hit some of our dive shops. :-D
Well I think it's a grand idea.

I think it's a grand idea too! But I just can't fit it in with Bonaire trip coming SOON.

We are hoping to make it to FL in Oct or Nov. If I don't buy a bcd now, maybe then.

Denise, forgive me my error, I meant to identify the Diva XLT, the Eva and QD are both discontinued models. However, they are also both good vests so, if you can find one in your size, you should be able to save $.

The web site saying a QD is probably outdated. I'll follow up more tomorrow to see what they actually have. Shutting down now. I hope everybody finishes this Happy Fathers' Day well.

Denise, not sure if you have made your decision yet, but I bought the scubapro ladyhawk after bonaire, as my old one bit the dust. My old one was vest inflate, and the ladyhawk is back inflate. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out. Well, after doing some dives in Jamacia, I LOVE the ladyhawk! it took a little time the first dive getting used to the back inflate, but it fits like a glove. My old one wasn't "fitted" and would ride up, and I always had to pull it down several times during the dive (10 years ago they just didn't have it down I think.)

Anyway, this thing really fits like a glove, and I don't feel that gut pressure when it's fully inflated like I did with the vest. It was snug, but not tight. I can't say enough about how happy I am. I did get 10% off the sticker price from the LDS (had to haggle them). Also, it did come with the integrated octo, which I turned down.

The only down side is the pockets. there is only one, and when we dive cold water, I carry more safety gear. So I bought a pocket that slips on the cumberbun.

The other thing I really like is you have FOUR deflation mechanisms, on one the back, one on the right shoulder, the inflator hose, and there is a nob at the top of the deflator hose you can also use.

Scubapro Ladyhawk

Oh, and I ain't as dainty as i used to be, and again, I love love love this BC!