I am currently looking for a new BCD and cannot decide on which one to buy. My local store sells Scubapro, Aqualung Zeagle, Oceanic and Sherwood. I would like to know some of the opinions of the women out there diving.
I know you didnt mention it but i have a cressi jacket, extra small, (sorrry i dont know the model no). It fits well and stays snug without moving about or feeling uncomfortable. It doesnt have a lot of extras on it, so not extra bits to get caught and tangled. The other brand which I liked and similar to my cressi was a scuba pro, for all the same reasons as the cressi jacket. They are both comfortable and well fitting.
I have dived in jackets that are too big and it isnt comfortable and ends up around your neck, so size is important. The other jacket that i really didnt like was back/wing inflated. I found it difficult to get my weight right... i constatnly felt like my legs were inflated!
Good luck with your jacket search!
I currently have both, a Scubapro Bella (Jacket Style) and an Aqualung Libra (Back inflate). I love both! It depends on what I am doing as to which one I want to wear. If I am working with a class and will be on the surface or sitting upright on the bottom I prefer my Bella. It is easier to sit straight up and down and I can put extra gear (slates, rescue mask, spare bits) in the pockets. When I am traveling and diving for fun I prefer my Libra. It's light weight and very comfortable on leisure dives. The Back inflate tends to pitch you slightly forward which is the perfect dive position.
That's a pretty interesting point Brandi. I don't think I've ever thought of using a different BCD for different dive situations. I normally just consider what gets me in the best horizontal position, but there are some dives where it is better to be pitched up a bit instead of down.
I know you didnt mention it but i have a cressi jacket, extra small, (sorrry i dont know the model no). It fits well and stays snug without moving about or feeling uncomfortable. It doesnt have a lot of extras on it, so not extra bits to get caught and tangled. The other brand which I liked and similar to my cressi was a scuba pro, for all the same reasons as the cressi jacket. They are both comfortable and well fitting.
I have dived in jackets that are too big and it isnt comfortable and ends up around your neck, so size is important. The other jacket that i really didnt like was back/wing inflated. I found it difficult to get my weight right... i constatnly felt like my legs were inflated!
Good luck with your jacket search!
I currently have both, a Scubapro Bella (Jacket Style) and an Aqualung Libra (Back inflate). I love both! It depends on what I am doing as to which one I want to wear. If I am working with a class and will be on the surface or sitting upright on the bottom I prefer my Bella. It is easier to sit straight up and down and I can put extra gear (slates, rescue mask, spare bits) in the pockets. When I am traveling and diving for fun I prefer my Libra. It's light weight and very comfortable on leisure dives. The Back inflate tends to pitch you slightly forward which is the perfect dive position.
It really is diver's choice and both are great!
That's a pretty interesting point Brandi. I don't think I've ever thought of using a different BCD for different dive situations. I normally just consider what gets me in the best horizontal position, but there are some dives where it is better to be pitched up a bit instead of down.