ACB vs. DUI W&T

[Wijbrandus]

First off, yes I've done the search and read the archives.

I've been looking at something to replace my weight belt while I work on my personal bouyancy issues. Last time I dove in cold water with a 7mm Farmer John, I used 34#. That was for my OW class, and I'm assuming I was fairly decently overweighted. I am an inexperienced diver who is only beginning to get a proper grasp on bouyancy and trim.

I'm looking at going back to the same site here in about six weeks, and I'm hoping I can knock that load down to 20# plus the 7# for my SS BP/W setup, but I still want to lose the weight belt. I've narrowed it down to the Halcyon ACB or the DUI weight and trim.

Can anyone tell me if there is a reason to go with one over the other? I'm interested in anything negative or positive you might have to say over these.

I like the ACB for the fact that it's harness mounted and bolts to the backplate. However, it looks to be rather bulky on the belt, and might block a canister light whenever I get one.

I like the DUI because it will put the weight on my shoulders, and is actually a seperate system. But I would think the weight would be too low for proper trim.

Any opinions? Has anyone used both?

 

[crosing]

Halcyon's website says that the ACB 30 has a connection for a cannister light.

http://www.halcyon.net/mc/acb.shtml

 

[Mo2vation]

First off, yes I've done the search and read the archives.

I've been looking at something to replace my weight belt while I work on my personal bouyancy issues. Last time I dove in cold water with a 7mm Farmer John, I used 34#. That was for my OW class, and I'm assuming I was fairly decently overweighted. I am an inexperienced diver who is only beginning to get a proper grasp on bouyancy and trim.

I'm looking at going back to the same site here in about six weeks, and I'm hoping I can knock that load down to 20# plus the 7# for my SS BP/W setup, but I still want to lose the weight belt. I've narrowed it down to the Halcyon ACB or the DUI weight and trim.

Can anyone tell me if there is a reason to go with one over the other? I'm interested in anything negative or positive you might have to say over these.

I like the ACB for the fact that it's harness mounted and bolts to the backplate. However, it looks to be rather bulky on the belt, and might block a canister light whenever I get one.

I like the DUI because it will put the weight on my shoulders, and is actually a seperate system. But I would think the weight would be too low for proper trim.

Any opinions? Has anyone used both?

Lots of questions...

I've never used the DUI stuff

I have the ACB 20. Love it. As you know, it does not have a Dring for your can light. Never fear, Scubaroo is here with a solution. I've been using this method with my can and it rules.

The ACB 30 is huge

There is a new ACB 12. Seeing as I'm using 4 + 4, I'll likely go that way soon. If you want to buy an ACB 20 on the cheap, I may know someone soon selling his....

Remind MD that I know nothing.

K

 

[caveseeker7]

Robert,

I'm the opposite of Ken, I haven't used the ACB, but use the DUI weight harness. The original one, which allows you to adjust the weight not only in height, but also for- and backward.

The reasoning for me was simple: You can carry the weights seperate from the bp/w & tank. My OC setup weights 47lbs., and carrying the weights separate is very convinient when lifting
bp/w&t or moving it around.
The harness is also by far the best weight carrier on land I've ever used. Again, either you carry the weights evenly on your shoulders, or you can sling the harness over a wheeled bag (in which case the weights are low to the ground, rather than on top, or inside the bag dragging everything).
Works perfect for me.

Before I switched to a bp/w I had a Zeagle with Ripcord weight release, which is pretty much the same thing as DUI uses to release the pockets (with the notable difference that Zeagle's pockets cost under twenty bucks, considerable less to replace as DUI's, and Zeagle uses a preferable zipper rather than velcro on top).

Balance has not been a problem as I'm 6'2 and the bp is too short. So the weights are in the right position for me.

Be aware that the ACB's buckles will break and kill you like all plastic buckles if GUE, GI3 et al are to be believed.

 

[onfloat]

And I don't particularly care for it. I have 10lbs stuffed in each pocket for a total of the full 20lbs. I find I have to don the BP/W with the weights on the harness otherwise its difficult to put them in the pockets on the belt. The weight seems to cause my webbing to rub on the back plate causing some wear to the web belt. Right now I’m looking at switching to the XS Scuba weight pockets and mount them on my cam bands.

 

[bridgediver]

Hi Robert

I agree with onfloat about the ACB's problems but I still perfer it over a weight belt. I don't like ALL of the weight in there. I think I'm going to try moving the weight around for singles. A heavier plate and perhaps a channel weight will make me much happier (I think). It has an attachment for a can light but I don't think it will mount with much stability as it will be off the body. I have 20# in the ACB's in bullet form and it is one tight fit! My goal would be to get 10# or less in the ACBs the ones I have are the ACB20 if I remember right.
Have not tried the DUI system

mark

 

[koi]

I use a DUI W&T II also because I didn't like wearing a weight belt. The DUI is much more comfortable than the weight belt I used to use. Other than carrying the weight on your shoulders, you can also adjust the weight up to 40#. It doesn't appear to be adjustable back and forward as Caveseeker7's Classic but you can adjust for height. The W&T II has only a front buckle to tighten the harness around your midsection.

In case you ever need to, the weights are quickly and easily dumped. Unfortunately, this is also one of it's drawbacks. Once the weights are dumped, you can't really replace them underwater and it is something you have to do at the surface. It's a slight pain rethreading the weights but manageable.

Hope this proved helpful.

 

[Wijbrandus]

Those of you with the DUI, do you find there is a chance of accidental dumping with the loops on the front? Seems to me it would be pretty easy to snag them on something, but in reality, they might be far enough back that the loops don't protrude past your profile.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I use the W&T II.. I'd probably have preferred the "classic"
but my LDS had the "II" so that's what I tried and I am
happy with its performance.

The weights require "effort" to remove so unless you snag
them (and to do that you must be laying on the bottom or moving through a tremendous restriction) and swim away oblivious to the snag they will stay in place.

Re: trim itself

I do not know about the "classic" but the pockets on the
II are divided vertically so you can 'move weight fore and
aft' by placing heavier/lighter weights appropriately. You
should pay particular attention to this on the surface; too
much weight aft causes me to too easily roll onto my back.
I prefer to be upright or SLIGHTLY forward.

If you position the weights 'too low' you'll know it because
you'll be fighting to stay horizontal underwater; the weights
will try to flip you onto your back.