Zeagle Zena (recommend it or not)

[Ontwreckdiver]

My daughter-in-law was recently certified and likes the looks of the Zeagle Zena bcd. For any of the ladies that own one, can you recommend it or not?

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

Fit is so specific to each person. If there is anyway she can try them on-underwater if possible with all the gear attached would be best. I tried one (dry) and did not like the front zip. I prefer to be free in my chest area. Good luck!

 

[snowdog61]

Got one for the daughter - previous GF had one too. The now wife liked the SP Ladyhawk over the Zena (and I got a great deal on one in pink). All loved the fit and look of the Zena. Wife hated the lack of pocketsand that's what killed it for her (and didn't want to wear pocket shorts or add optional pockets to the BC). That said, Zeagle is extremely adjustable so getting a fit shouldn't be hard since front panels, shoulders, etc can be sized up or down independently (or to change front panel color accents). My only advise is to start 'fitting' the BC at the waist first - once that is set, adjust shoulder length then hips. After doing that, it should zip/un-zip at a perfect fit.

 

[hunter991]

It is a great BC for women, and we haven't had any complaints about it. I wouldn't rely strictly on the size chart though as it doesn't seem accurate for us on sizing in most cases. Your dive shop can also mix and match size components for the perfect fit, but normally we just go "off chart" for sizing and it works great!!

 

[Lorenzoid]

My wife loved hers, though she no longer dives it. She liked that it could be customized to fit any body shape--you can buy each of the three components (I think there were three) in any size and assemble them together into a custom unit. Lots of comments can found with a Google search on Scubaboard; just a few to start you off:

Zena review

Zeagle Zena

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

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I definitely wouldn't let buy something without trying it first. She was also looking at the SP Ladyhawk but it is $200 more than the Zena up here, so cost is somewhat of a factor.

 

[tbone1004]

if you're diving locally up there, check out stainless backplates. i don't know any women who have gone back to jackets . The one piece harness is particularly suitable for lady curves...

 

[Lorenzoid]

if you're diving locally up there, check out stainless backplates. i don't know any women who have gone back to jackets . The one piece harness is particularly suitable for lady curves...

It was hard to persuade my wife to try a backplate because she was convinced her Zena was the greatest thing in the world. It was customized to her body shape. It fit perfectly. How could an uncomfortable looking steel plate with plain webbing like a primitive backpack possibly fit as well, she wondered? Now she is convinced the backplate is the greatest thing in the world and would never dive anything else.

 

[kelemvor]

My wife loves her zena. She's used several other bcd's but always came quickly back to the zena.

I have not convinced her to try a bp/w yet, so she cannot make that comparison.

 

[Hoag]

I see that you are in St Thomas. Tri-City Scuba in Kitchener is a Zeagle dealer and I think that they might have a couple Zenas in stock. (The last time I was there, they had one on display.) It may be worth it to drive to Kitchener and talk to Drew. He will be able to discuss the pros & cons of the Zeagle with you and your daughter-in-law.

One of the people I often dive with bought one before her last trip, and I very much got the impression that the only regret she had was that she didn't get one sooner.