to bring or not to bring weights?

[scubadada]

Hi @accidentalDECO

I dived an Outlaw for a couple hundred dives before I abandoned it, for a variety of reasons Aqualung Outlaw I dived the Outlaw with between 8 and 20 lbs of weight.

The Outlaw is designed to accept either the releasable weight pockets OR the trim weight pockets, not both. Yes you can get 10 lbs of hard weight into each of the releasable pockets, 2x5. If you needed more weight in the BC, you could add tank band trim pockets, like I tried, to get some of my weight out of the releasable pockets. Of course, you could always use a weight belt, the balance of the BC might be better. If you need quite a bit of weight, I second the suggestion to dive with a steel cylinder. A steel 100 would allow you to take off about 4 lbs.

 

[Damselfish]

Though if someone is going to a warm water resort to dive, its unusual to see steel tanks.

 

[scubadada]

Though if someone is going to a warm water resort to dive, its unusual to see steel tanks.

I didn't see where @accidentalDECO said he was going to be in warm water, just that he used 22-28 lbs

Nevertheless, nearly everyone in SE Florida rents steel 100s

 

[Kimela]

I say no. My husband brought some weights to Hawaii because he figured the boat wouldn't have exactly what he wanted (I'm not so choosy). On the way out of Kona TSA confiscated them. They conferred about it a bit and finally determined he could keep his weight belt, but not the actual weights. There's NOTHING in the TSA literature about not being allowed to transport weights in carry-on or luggage - or at least R couldn't find it, if it's there.

 

[Damselfish]

They have a thing about items that could be used as a weapon/bludgeon, which can be pretty much whatever they decide.

 

[Brett Hatch]

What temperature is the water where you are traveling to? If it's warm, you should not need anywhere near 22-28 lbs. But in cold water with a 7mm wetsuit or similar, sure, that sounds about right.

+1 to the suggestion to add trim weight pockets to your tank strap. DGX sells good ones for $10 per pocket, they're nice because they mount sideways. They also carry an OMS brand version which mounts upright if that's your preference.

Looks like the Outlaw BC has 1 tank strap, so you could fit 1 pair of trim pockets onto it. You could also add a strap for like $20 for either more pockets, or more flexibilty in where you place your lead, since the strap can go anywhere on the tank.

That being said, there should be no problem using hard weights. Don't worry about tearing the pockets, they should be pretty tough. Uncoated lead will fit better, and you can use some hair conditioner to lube up if needed. It sounds like the only reason you want to bring lead along is so that you can use the beanbag style lead. If that's the main reason, I would leave it home. I do like to bring 2 1-pounders with me, so that I can fine-tune my weighting, but bringing 20+ lbs is way overkill.

 

[Damselfish]

I didn't see where @accidentalDECO said he was going to be in warm water, just that he used 22-28 lbs

Nevertheless, nearly everyone in SE Florida rents steel 100s

True, they have not said where they were going, which would be useful. But mai tais were mentioned.

Nearly everyone in the Caribbean uses ALs.

 

[tarponchik]

I say no. My husband brought some weights to Hawaii because he figured the boat wouldn't have exactly what he wanted (I'm not so choosy). On the way out of Kona TSA confiscated them. They conferred about it a bit and finally determined he could keep his weight belt, but not the actual weights. There's NOTHING in the TSA literature about not being allowed to transport weights in carry-on or luggage - or at least R couldn't find it, if it's there.

Solid weights are OK but lead pellets are considered to be weapons. I've traveled to Kona several times with my own weights and it was OK because I use solid piece weights, not pellet bags. The reason I take them is that most dive shops in Kona will charge you for weight belts separately. For example, Jack's Diving Locker will charge you $10/day of $8/day if you dive 5 or more days. So if you go to Kona (I can't be 100% sure about the rest of Hawaii) do your math, what is less expensive: rent your weights or pay the airline for an extra bag. My math tells me that if you plan to do more than 2 dives, paying $25 for an extra bag is worth it.

 

[Kimela]

Solid weights are OK but lead pellets are considered to be weapons. I've traveled to Kona several times with my own weights and it was OK because I use solid piece weights, not pellet bags. The reason I take them is that most dive shops in Kona will charge you for weight belts separately. For example, Jack's Diving Locker will charge you $10/day of $8/day if you dive 5 or more days. So if you go to Kona (I can't be 100% sure about the rest of Hawaii) do your math, what is less expensive: rent your weights or pay the airline for an extra bag. My math tells me that if you plan to do more than 2 dives, paying $25 for an extra bag is worth it.

Oddly enough, they were solid weights that they took - we would have understood that the pellets could be considered potential shrapnel. Didn't make sense - still doesn't. But then, I still don't understand why TSA took my allen wrenches in Cozumel either. I keep imagining me climbing all over the aircraft, armed only with a specific size allen wrench, taking everything apart like freakin' MacGuyver! But there's no way to predict what TSA will like or not like.

 

[lowwall]

I do like to bring 2 1-pounders with me, so that I can fine-tune my weighting...

That's a good idea. I may borrow it. I always seem to end up with a choice of 1lb underweight or 2-3lb over.