I think there are two different point of discussion.
Ditchable weight and integrated weights.
The easy one first.
Integrated Weight
Personally. I don't like integrated weights in BCD's.
This is because most of the divers I dive with wear Drysuits. Most integrated weight BCD's don't have the capacity to carry the required weight need for single cylinder diving and a drysuit.
In truth, I don't have a problem if the weight is split between a weight belt and the integrated weights. However, in practice, I see too many divers cramming all the weight into the integrated weight pouches. This means that the integrated weight is too much for the BCD. Resulting in lost weights, and the resulting buoyancy issues.
As a general rule, I think that integrated weight systems provide more negatives than positives. I treat them with extreme suspicion.
Ditchable Weight
If I dive a single cylinder rig. I use a weight belt with pockets, and ideally, shot bags.
When I dived my twin 12's (Doubles). By the time I had trimmed them properly, with a tail weight. I needed 1kg of additional weight (2lb). In fact, in fresh water, I needed no additional weight, in the sea, I 'could' just get away with no additional weight, especially when carrying stages.
On the smaller twinset (twin 10's), I do need additional weight, however, these have not yet been trimmed for me. The twin tests are a set I don't really use much (the 12's are on loan to another diver). Twin 10's are a bit of a pain to trim because they are short cylinders, and normally I need the additional weight low down on the set.
My main diving rig is a CCR. This has trim weight fitted (high up to counter the effect of the counter lungs). In addition to the trim weights, I wear 2kg (4ib) on a weight belt for sea diving.
I am basically negatively heavy, with the twin 12's and the CCR, so the ditchable weight will have little effect.
The 10's and a standard rig, then there is a benefit to the ditchable weight.
Gareth
Ditchable weight and integrated weights.
The easy one first.
Integrated Weight
Personally. I don't like integrated weights in BCD's.
This is because most of the divers I dive with wear Drysuits. Most integrated weight BCD's don't have the capacity to carry the required weight need for single cylinder diving and a drysuit.
In truth, I don't have a problem if the weight is split between a weight belt and the integrated weights. However, in practice, I see too many divers cramming all the weight into the integrated weight pouches. This means that the integrated weight is too much for the BCD. Resulting in lost weights, and the resulting buoyancy issues.
As a general rule, I think that integrated weight systems provide more negatives than positives. I treat them with extreme suspicion.
Ditchable Weight
If I dive a single cylinder rig. I use a weight belt with pockets, and ideally, shot bags.
When I dived my twin 12's (Doubles). By the time I had trimmed them properly, with a tail weight. I needed 1kg of additional weight (2lb). In fact, in fresh water, I needed no additional weight, in the sea, I 'could' just get away with no additional weight, especially when carrying stages.
On the smaller twinset (twin 10's), I do need additional weight, however, these have not yet been trimmed for me. The twin tests are a set I don't really use much (the 12's are on loan to another diver). Twin 10's are a bit of a pain to trim because they are short cylinders, and normally I need the additional weight low down on the set.
My main diving rig is a CCR. This has trim weight fitted (high up to counter the effect of the counter lungs). In addition to the trim weights, I wear 2kg (4ib) on a weight belt for sea diving.
I am basically negatively heavy, with the twin 12's and the CCR, so the ditchable weight will have little effect.
The 10's and a standard rig, then there is a benefit to the ditchable weight.
Gareth