Weight systems poll

[lexvil]

Zeagle trim pouches, I have newer ones from a ranger that I’ll put on one day. I like these because they sit high on the belt and I attach them to the shoulder strap that goes to the “T” bars reall help with my leg heavy trim issue.

 

[Edward3c]

Warm/tropical diving = Integrated.

Cool (drysuit) diving = weightbelt

 

[Diver below 83]

I was taught with integrated, all my boat dives have been weight belts with rental BCD’s now I’m using my bp/w with trim pockets.

 

[ibj40]

Learned on a belt (not sure Integrated was around back then), have used a pouch-style.

Due to back issues, added trim pockets to my tank strap.

I "voted" always a belt since the trims aren't ditchable.

 

[Paul M]

I voted "I have used both weight belts and integrated weight pockets and I prefer BCD integrated pockets."

The only time I have ever used a weight belt was years ago down south (pre-certification) on DSD's. Then again years ago when I began my OW cert. I recall those buggers put about 18lb on me, lol.

I try and dive pretty balanced rigs although it's tough with full steel tanks in freshwater. I almost always dive SM and use 2 tanks.
- Icy cold fresh water, Trilam drysuit, 2 steel HP100, I need ~7lbs. I am significantly over weight for a while. The redundancy of the drysuit and BCD gives me a little peace of mind.
- Warm fresh water (caves), 2 AL 80, Full 3mm suit I need ~2lbs. Full ~5mm I need 5lbs.
- Warm salt water, 1 AL 80, full 3mm I need 9lbs

With the little amount of weight I typically need it's just easy to put it in the integrated spine pockets.
All above weightings provide me just enough ballast at reserve pressure for final stop depth.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

I'm surprised at the results of the poll. I have never used a weight-integrated BC and I'm surprised those numbers are so small. I use no weight at all or non-ditchable weight, by design. I have several weight belts and if I'm doing something different, I can add a weight belt, which is a rare event these days.

However, I will say if I didn't have rigs customized for different types of dives, and specifically selecting gear to avoid wearing weight, I would be wearing a weight belt a lot more often.

This is how I dive without a weight belt:
Cave: double 104s, 60lbs wing, AL plate: no additional weight necessary with 104s diving wet or dry
Tech: double 80s, 40lbs wing,SS plate: no additional weight diving wet, 11lbs V-weight when diving dry
Rec: AL80, 30lbs wing, SS plate: no additional weight diving wet with reasonable water temps
Travel: AL80, 20lbs wing, Carbon plate, 6lbs in weight pockets (up to 8lbs in colder water)

 

[dmaziuk]

This thread was inspired by the other thread on why people hate the weight belt. In order to get a general idea of peoples preferences I thought a poll would be useful. Feel free to expand your reply with a more detailed answer below. Thanks.

A Rocket Frogs DM in CR looked at my BH's pockets and said he loved them because "if I even need to help her ditch weight, with these I know I'll have no problem doing it". I think he's right: if you have to ditch somebody else's weight in a hurry, you can't beat quick release pockets.

 

[Gr8 Fish]

Warm water and single tank - no weights (besides my backplate) or backplate weight system (non ditchable weight pockets on my back)
Dry Suit and twins - v weight and heavy backplate.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

I’ve used both in the past and see advantages to each. I currently use a back inflate that doesn’t have integrated pouches so I’m using weight pockets on my belt and the trim pockets on my bcd, which I like better than either option. I didn’t see an choice that fit this, so I didn’t vote.

Erik

 

[_Ralph]

5 if diving backmount

Otherwise, sidemount CCR, it's a mix. Weight in the rig to balance out and be neutral with a 200g undergarment in fresh water. Add a weight belt when the 400g comes out, or salt water


_R