Bratface
Contributor
I had been diving a Scubapro Lady Hawk for 16 years but needed a new BC after radiation for breast cancer wrecked my range of motion and strength in my shoulder. I bought a Hydros Pro last year and did one dive trip before covid changed diving for most of us.
I liked that the Hydros was lighter and much easier for me to put on with my gimpy shoulder. I found that I didn’t like the rubber weight pockets. Too big and bulky. I changed to the travel harness and finally found the solution to the weight pocket problem. I bought a set of ditchable Dive Rite weight pockets from the local dive shop and they installed them on the webbing for me. They are out of the way and quite sturdy. There’s no way the weights will fall out and they can hold up to ten pounds in each pocket. I’m using neoprene cargo shorts to hold my slate, shears and whatever else I need. Light is mounted on right upper D ring. Lift bag is in butt pouch. Reel clipped to left D ring.
As much as I like Scubapro gear, I’m a bit disappointed in the Hydros. If you want to customize the Hydros using the webbing, consider a back plate with wing. You will have many more options and it will cost less.
I liked that the Hydros was lighter and much easier for me to put on with my gimpy shoulder. I found that I didn’t like the rubber weight pockets. Too big and bulky. I changed to the travel harness and finally found the solution to the weight pocket problem. I bought a set of ditchable Dive Rite weight pockets from the local dive shop and they installed them on the webbing for me. They are out of the way and quite sturdy. There’s no way the weights will fall out and they can hold up to ten pounds in each pocket. I’m using neoprene cargo shorts to hold my slate, shears and whatever else I need. Light is mounted on right upper D ring. Lift bag is in butt pouch. Reel clipped to left D ring.
As much as I like Scubapro gear, I’m a bit disappointed in the Hydros. If you want to customize the Hydros using the webbing, consider a back plate with wing. You will have many more options and it will cost less.