Speaking of womens' BCs...?

[Disneymom]

There's nothing like redundancy, huh? I didn't want to hijack anyone else's thread on womens BCs.
I tried on some BCs over the weekend and was pretty happy with the fit/feel of the Genesis Athena. I personally want something that won't have as much of a tendancy to want to 'roll'. What does it offer that the others don't? Does it have more of a back inflation? opinions? Joe? Larry?

[creggur]

Now my experience is limited, but... My wife had the "roll" problem in training, I think it was because her BC didn't fit properly...

She got the Zeagle Zena after training and absolutely loves it.. Here is a summary of what she likes about it..

Custom Fit - She's petite and since it's modular, they were able to really get her a good fit.
Back Inflate - Doesn't squeeze, and feels more stable to her in the water
Ripcord Weight System - I think if she had to wear a weight belt, she wouldn't dive at all..She absolutely hated it...
Color - Last but not least (to her) she was able to get it in pink..

[Zenagirl]

My first BC had a cumberbun, which I could never get to fit right causing me to have a lot of tank (BC) roll. During my search for a better BC for me, I came across the Zeagle Zena and have never looked back.

The Zena has 2 features which I think are the keys to preventing tank roll: 1) A custom fit. Zeagles have a modular design which allow you to mix and match 4 different components (including wing size) for a perfect fit.
2) The corset design. Instead of a cumberbun with basically one point of fit, the Zena has 4 places on the body to adjust for a perfect fit everytime. That's not including the shoulder adjustment, which adds another 2 points of fit.

I've found that in over 100 dives with my Zena that once I adjust the fit (during my descent), I never have to think about my BC again during the dive. My tank is securely held to my back by 2 tank straps and the corset design of the Zena.

Not everyone is crazy about the zipper design of the corset, so like every other piece of gear out there, your mileage may vary. I don't claim that this is the BC for everyone, but I do recommend that women try on a Zena and give it a test drive for themselves.

[Disneymom]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

My first BC had a cumberbun, which I could never get to fit right causing me to have a lot of tank (BC) roll. During my search for a better BC for me, I came across the Zeagle Zena and have never looked back.

The Zena has 2 features which I think are the keys to preventing tank roll: 1) A custom fit. Zeagles have a modular design which allow you to mix and match 4 different components (including wing size) for a perfect fit.
2) The corset design. Instead of a cumberbun with basically one point of fit, the Zena has 4 places on the body to adjust for a perfect fit everytime. That's not including the shoulder adjustment, which adds another 2 points of fit.

I've found that in over 100 dives with my Zena that once I adjust the fit (during my descent), I never have to think about my BC again during the dive. My tank is securely held to my back by 2 tank straps and the corset design of the Zena.

Not everyone is crazy about the zipper design of the corset, so like every other piece of gear out there, your mileage may vary. I don't claim that this is the BC for everyone, but I do recommend that women try on a Zena and give it a test drive for themselves.

I went to the LDS at lunch and tried one on. Wow! That was incredibly comfortable and light!

So - is it a general concensus that the back inflation will cause less roll than a jacket style? I know that was a problem I had in my first pool class, and usually when I first get in the water, until I get myself comfortable. I would love less tendency to roll. That was one of the reasons I was looking at the Athena is more back inflation, but the Zena felt like I had so much less on!

[creggur]

I think the thing that stopped the "roll" problem for my wife was the perfect fit of the Zena. Since the Zena's not moving around on her, the tanks not rolling from side to side..

[JodiBB]

I also have the Zena and love it! I agree with everything ZenaGirl says about her experience (except I don't have 100+ dives! LOL). I don't have the roll problem either and I like the corset feel. It feels like I have more support on my back due to the corset.

I also like that there is a double tank strap. You can put some of your weights on the tank to distribute the weight more evenly.

[Damselfish]

No reason to be rolling in any style, as long as the BC fits well and your weights are properly distributed. A wobbly tank because of a poorly fitting BC may cause the tendancy to roll and just make you generally uncomfortable.

[Zenagirl]

Originally Posted by Disneymom

I went to the LDS at lunch and tried one on. Wow! That was incredibly comfortable and light!

So - is it a general concensus that the back inflation will cause less roll than a jacket style? I know that was a problem I had in my first pool class, and usually when I first get in the water, until I get myself comfortable. I would love less tendency to roll. That was one of the reasons I was looking at the Athena is more back inflation, but the Zena felt like I had so much less on!

No, I don't think tank/BC roll has anything to do whether a BC is back inflate or not. Like Damselfish (and I) said it really has everything to do with fit and weight distribution. I guarantee that even a perfect fitting BC will allow tank roll if you put 10 pounds in one pocket!

Lest I repeat myself, I believe the way at Zena is designed and can be custom fitted for a perfect fit is what eliminates the roll. Make sure if you decide to go with a Zena that you have it fitted properly. Three components can be mixed and matched to get the right fit and if your LDS doesn't know how to fit it, or won't swap pieces, call ScubaToys. They will take your measurements and mix and match a BC for you. Then when you get it if it doesn't fit perfectly, they'll eat the shipping for you to send it back and adjusted until they get it right.

Also, there's a "right" way to adjust your Zena once you're in the water. I believe it is impossible to adjust it with a tank on land. What you must do is hit the water, go horizontal on your descent, loosen your shoulder straps, pull the front of the corset DOWN, and cinch the bottom straps tight. Then you adjust the middle straps, which should be ON your waist, then you can tighten the shoulders down. The Zena really must be adjusted from the bottom up with the middle strap at your natural waist to fit perfectly. This process will literally take you no more than 10 seconds, and has become so automatic for me now that I don't even think about it anymore.

[cutter77]

Originally Posted by Damselfish

No reason to be rolling in any style, as long as the BC fits well and your weights are properly distributed. A wobbly tank because of a poorly fitting BC may cause the tendancy to roll and just make you generally uncomfortable.

And don't forget to know where your air bubble is....a little to one side or the other and yep....you'll roll.

('Nother vote for the Zena.......gotta love it.)

[deepdiver47]

[quote=Zenagirl;20820]

Originally Posted by Disneymom

Also, there's a "right" way to adjust your Zena once you're in the water. I believe it is impossible to adjust it with a tank on land. What you must do is hit the water, go horizontal on your descent, loosen your shoulder straps, pull the front of the corset DOWN, and cinch the bottom straps tight. Then you adjust the middle straps, which should be ON your waist, then you can tighten the shoulders down. The Zena really must be adjusted from the bottom up with the middle strap at your natural waist to fit perfectly. This process will literally take you no more than 10 seconds, and has become so automatic for me now that I don't even think about it anymore.

You hit the nail on the head Zenagirl. You need to make your final adjustments UW. I have a Ranger and I make my final adjustments to my cumberbund as I always find a space in there.