Interesting BP/W "Ditchable" Weight System

[certainmisuse]

Hello,

Anybody using this type of weight system or similar? If so, how has your experience been? I like the concept in theory, but curious to hear opinions. I would like to move as much weight to my back, even the ditchable variety if possible. This ditchable weight being on the back, you would have to go by feel (of the rip cord) I suppose. Any opinions?

Thanks.

David

 

[ajduplessis]

Never been a fan of weight pockets/systems. SS plate, v-weights and weight belts is the options I would consider.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I don't use that weight system myself, but I do run most of my weight in trim pockets on my upper cam band. I've been meaning to install a second set on the lower cam band so I can move all of my weight to the tank, but I haven't done it yet. I just run the normal Zeagle trim pockets, but not on a BP/W at this point. I'm in the market, though

 

[Brian G]

I use the zip touch and I like it. When my sons were certified I set them up with Zeagle Express Techs with the zip touch. I'm not a big fan of Velcro, but for this the weights are inserted and removed via the zipper, so the Velcro is not wearing out from use. The orientation is vertical, so the weights are pretty close to the backplate, and stay there even if the pocket is not full. I like that there is no inner pocket to regret dropping. I dive in the Caribbean and it is so easy to use the pocket instead of a weight belt. I've never had to drop my weights, but the handle is pretty easy to find by feel.
Dive Rite has some weight pockets that have a buckle closure (Travel Weight Pocket - with Locking Attachment | Dive Rite) that are good for up to 4 lbs each. These are interesting to me because I'm on the list for a Freedom Plate and the zip touch needs two holes in the backplate to mount to and one of the holes is where the Freedom Plate isn't. For Caribbean diving I only use 4 lbs so the Dive Rite pockets will work.
When I dive Monterey, CA (coldish water) I'm in a 7 mil wetsuit and usually come close to maxing out the zip touch (20 lbs) but they work fine and are comfortable. The only problem (if you could call it that) is that if I am using a steel cylinder and a small wing (Zeagle Express Tech with 24 lbs wing), the BC could not be floated at the surface with just the wing buoyancy. Not the fault of the zip touch certainly, but just a note that distributing some weight on a weight belt might be desired if floating a BC at the surface is important to you. In that case I put 8 lbs on the belt and 12 in the zip touch and was happy. 20 lbs on a weight belt was a bit uncomfortable.

Hope this helps,
Brian

 

[rjack321]

Pretty much anything that relies on Velcro is a terrible idea in actual tech diving. Exceptions being pocket closures and argon straps that have little force applied to them and are also basically consumables. Holding lead which if it were to fail would lead to an uncontrolled ascent, being pinned to a ceiling and/or explosive decompression? Seriously not a good idea.

 

[certainmisuse]

Pretty much anything that relies on Velcro is a terrible idea in actual tech diving. Exceptions being pocket closures and argon straps that have little force applied to them and are also basically consumables. Holding lead which if it were to fail would lead to an uncontrolled ascent, being pinned to a ceiling and/or explosive decompression? Seriously not a good idea.

Yeah, that concerns me greatly.

Are there other mechanisms for ditchable weights that could be used near the small of the back on the backplate similar to this product, but not velcro?

 

[Brian G]

Pretty much anything that relies on Velcro is a terrible idea in actual tech diving. Exceptions being pocket closures and argon straps that have little force applied to them and are also basically consumables. Holding lead which if it were to fail would lead to an uncontrolled ascent, being pinned to a ceiling and/or explosive decompression? Seriously not a good idea.

Not disagreeing with you, but just adding some info that might be useful. The velcro configuration for the zip touch is such that it is sandwiched between two flaps and is fairly difficult to open. A pretty substantial yank is required to dump the lead. That said, I would never recommend the zip touch for tech diving as the pull could get entangled and release weight unintentionally regardless of the velcro concern.

 

[rjack321]

The DUI weight harness system is popular and relies on a plastic weed-eater cord threaded through grommets to hold the lead on. Its not really "small of your back" more like the sides of your hips though. Its quite popular here in Puget Sound.

What doubles are you using and how much lead do you need? For me with (faber) double 85s in salt water I use a 10lb V weight and 14lbs on a conventional belt. With 100s I use the same V weight but only 10lbs on the belt.

 

[certainmisuse]

The DUI weight harness system is popular and relies on a plastic weed-eater cord threaded through grommets to hold the lead on. Its not really "small of your back" more like the sides of your hips though. Its quite popular here in Puget Sound.

What doubles are you using and how much lead do you need? For me with (faber) double 85s in salt water I use a 10lb V weight and 14lbs on a conventional belt. With 100s I use the same V weight but only 10lbs on the belt.

I will be doing single tank diving in warm water, so likely very little weight from the start. I was hoping to move most of the weight to the back, even the ditchable variety if possible.

Thanks for the details.

 

[rjack321]

single tank? why is this in technical diving?