http://www.eco-furniture.com/docs/bedroom_rpedic_7zone_detail.html
Just saw this on an online mattress magazine...what do you all think?  Interesting...tho I can see the flaws in their picture....obviously skewed to sell their product.  However, it could be good...anyone know?
Kait

Basically the same as the vzone by Flobeds (which I have). I think it is nice to have softer in the shoulders for a side sleeper. I find the pieces under the hips to be the main variable. The other zones matter a bit, but not too much.

Really?  I was just looking at Flobeds to see if they have a topper that might be nice(I liked the description of how the natural stuff smells like cookies!).  Theirs looks like a different design, only in the very middle.  
Kait

Question for Sandman: Sandman I never did ask FlowBeds how the determination was made for the various zones. Just how do they come to the conclusion of what measurements to give to each zone? I am asking, what measurements side to side and top to bottom of the zones?

If you look in the middle of this page it kind shows how the vzone is layed out. Yes a topper ordinarily would go over the vzone level, but you would not have to use the convoluted topper if you do not want to.

http://www.flobeds.com/product_details.htm?ID=6086QU

There are basically 7 pieces are held down by velcro on a sheet mat material. 2 of the pieces are large (about 18" tall) and 4 are small (about 10" tall) and 1 is a 3" strip accross the top. The various pieces are interchangable. And each half of the bed can be different.

So, I have 1 "firm" half which is configured as follows (at least this is how they configured it at the factory) from head to toe (each piece is 30" wide - 1/2 of queen width):

1 3" strip accross at top (unknown firmness, probably medium)
1 10" M strip at head.
1 10" S strip at shoulder
1 10" F strip at rib cage/lumbar
1 18" M strip at hips
1 10" XF at knees
1 18" F strip at feet

Those should total up to about 80" (the length of a queen bed.)

Then you can switch the pieces around, for example I am using a F strip at the hips and the M strip at the feet. What is at the feet does not matter much, but eventually I may exchange a few of the individual pieces.

On the other side, I have a "medium" vzone which is soft at hips, medium at feet, etc. I find the soft is too soft to support the hips so I moved the medium to the hip area.

I hope this explains it somewhat. Let me know if you have any questions. I find that the hip area is the most important. I am somewhere between medium and firm in my preference there. I have not adjusted the shoulder area at all, since I seem okay with a soft piece there. I think that helps for a side sleeper, but have not really tested firmer pieces. Firmer in the rib cage and knees is slightly better. Head and feet don't seem to make much difference, but generally I think they should be at least as firm as the hips.

Very interesting, Sandman!  I do love my offset coil mattress on box springs with actual springs, but the shoulder vs. hip vs. waist thing is still a teensy bit dicey for me.  Too soft and my back hurts, too firm and blood flow stops.   I wonder if they can/would make some sort of topper that could do this?  That would be remarkable!
Kait

Kait wrote:
Thank you for the informed response Sandman.

Kait: I would think Flobeds would be quite willing to work with you on a topper. They are of course in the business of selling whole mattresses, but maybe they will sell you an individual core.

Dave & Dewey are very easy to work with. Give them a call and let us know what you find out.

Kait, do you use any type of topper at all? Just adding a 1-2" layer of soft latex or memory foam should reduce your pressure points.

It is possible that Flobeds would sell you just the vzone layer. It is about 3" thick, so not sure if that is too thick for your needs. You could make one yourself, but it would be expensive buying soft, medium and possible firms layers to cut down to the right size.