Have her try a Diva by SeaQuest. MSH swears by hers and says that the
fit is perfect because the proportions take into account a woman's
shorter torso. Rent one for a dive to make sure it fits in the water as
well as in the dressing room :-)

I've been wondering if it would be possible to design a short-torso
plate for a Halcyon but haven't looked into it.

-Sven

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 02:38:53 GMT, "Don R" wrote ...

Yes, there is a difference between men's and women's BCDs... In case
you haven't noticed yet, they have a somewhat different body style...
<grin>

For us to make a suggestion on the appropriate BCD for you wife, we
would have to see photos of her completely nude...

Dan V, should feel free to correct me, but I seem to recall that his lady,
Sandra liked the LadyHawk.

Why not go for a backplate and wing?  Talk to Scott Koplin.
http://www.selchie.com/ He makes a great bp and has the oxycheq wings which
are really nice.

Kimber

Don R wrote:>I am researching womens bc's for my wife and was wondering if I
could get

My wife also has the SeaQuest Diva (the weight integrated model) and loves it.
At least have your wife give it a look.

Brightdivr

I have to agree with several of the posts... I bought the Diva QD a year ago
and it's extremely comfortable.  I have not done any dry suit diving, so I
don't have any input in that area... but I've had no issues with it in
warmer lake dives.  I like the double tank strap, and the weights have been
very easy to ditch during pool time (hey, it's a nice warm excuse to dive in
winter and practice skills... :) though I've never had to do this during an
emergency.  Pockets do seem to be a bit high,  sometimes requiring a bit of
a stretch to access, but this may be one of those things peculiar to each
user.  Definitely try it out!

Shylirin

We've had good feedback on both the Luna and the Triple-L Isis. The Isis in
particular seems to handle more "womanly" shapes well.

Hi Don.  I've been diving since the late 70's so I've seen many
changes...and I've felt them too as I dove.  I personally went from
using a "horse collar" with a back plate while I dove some 20 years
ago to now using a back-inflation weight-intragrated vest that is
specifically designed for a woman. Please look at this website :

http://www.aquaholic.com/Womens_BCs/Zena.htm

And then look at this one :

http://www.zeagle.com/bc2001_women.htm

The Zena is what I'm using. In fact, mine is the purple and black
featured and it's in the size small.  I choose the larger lift
capacity though and I think that is a good decision for me.

I had a "full jacket" type of BC with another Zeagle... and actually I
still have it. It's over 15 yrs old and it still works.  I'll keep it
to use as a loaner for my dive friends in need of gear or as a 'just
in case mine breaks' thing. But it was no where near as comfy as this
Zena is for me.

My Zena has nothing  'around'  me as far to the sides or on the front.
The inflation is a pair of wings behind me. The front ZIPS up.  The
zipper thing is unheard of by other makers but they should look into
it because it's soooo comfortable and it's quick.  When I'm on the
panga, I'm the first one geared up.  All I have to is zip.  I'm not
busy checking to see if this snap is hooked and my cumberbun is
fastened and this buckle is done. And Don... to put it mildly....
there is nothing squishing my boobs because, although mine aren't
huge, my BC has multiple adjustments to allow for any figure.

I've seen the Diva and I've been diving with ladies who wore the Diva.
I wasn't impressed by theirs... and they liked mine. :)

My wife wears a Zena very similar (at least by description) to Salty's.  She
loves it.  The one she has is a touch to big (she's lost some weight since
we got it for her), but we're looking at just picking up a new front piece
and it should shrink it small enough to make it just right again.  Plus,
it's super adjustable.

I have 2 weight integrated woman's BC's. Mares and Dacor. As for the fit,
the Mares is better. Power inflator Dacor's is longer. Wetsuit diving -
Mares/ Drysuit - Dacor.
The best thing about weight integrated is NO weight belt (duh) nothing
digging into your hips or back, but you do have to be careful about how much
weight you load them with, the velcro will give after numerous dives and the
weights will shift forward a bit, there is 'play' room. Also because the
weights are in the BC, under where the zippered pockets are located, it's
impossible to get at those pockets or put anything in them (designers what
were you thinking???)
Inquire about how much lift it has as well, never assume!....very important!
I'm in a quest now for another system, harness with wings but there again is
that weight belt issue...yuck.
This advice is from a 'black water' diver (thick suits & thick gloves -
always), blue water advice will probably be very different. Best of Luck!