Any triple L Stratos BCD owners out there?

[Randy-S]

I have a couple questions for you.
How is the wieght release system working so far, and have you check into replaceing the inflate hose with a air-two system? Overall are you happy with or are there some concerns now that you have used it a couple of times.
Randy

 

[CHUD]

I have one. The weight release system has worked great so far -- it hasn't released any weight because I haven't needed to! But the dumpable pockets are easily dumped if need be, so I'm confident it'll work fine when/if I need it to.

Air-2: No thank you. I use a standard octo so I'm not going to switch out the inflator. For what it's worth, I like the inflator it came with.

Any concerns? Yes, when do I get to to diving again?

 

[Randy-S]

Hey Chud thanks for the reply, How much wieght are you putting in the dump pockets, are they soft packs? I travel; and dive at resorts alot and they use hard wieghts do you think I would be able to put hard wieght in the dump pockets?
Randy

 

[CHUD]

I primarily use 4 lb shot bags (you could probably fit 6+) but I used 4 lb hard belt weights once with no problems.

 

[mavjax]

My son and Fiance both dive the Stratos and love it. They balance their weight between the ditchables and the pockets on the back and seem to get nice comfortable trim. I think the max they have used in the ditchables is 5.

 

[cinder4320]

We had ten in each pocket with hard weight and it fit fine. This was in both the Stratus and Libra but they have the same pockets. I actually think the hard weights fit in easier and therefore dump easier than the shot bags.

Miranda

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

I dive an Orion, but I own a Stratos (well, just sold it). The dump pockets and inflator look to be the same, though.

I stuff 8 pounds in each drop pocket of my Orion and another 6 each in the trim pockets. The dump pockets are fine. The trim pockets have trouble hanging on with that much weight as they are attached with velcro. No problems though. And the stratos has some weight pockets that the Orion does not on the back by the tank.

I like the inflator. I wouldn't want an Air2. The buttons are good size, it feels solid, etc.

Gregg

 

[timle]

I have a stratos and my girlfriend has a libra. Weight pockets seems fine - uses velco to fasten instead of some sort of clip so after many years this might eventually be an issue. I actually prefer hard weights in them - get more and in and it fits better - but to each his own. I like the roominess of the rear pockets - I use hard weight here to - no problem. Libra uses same drop pockets but the rear pockets are nearly as large.

In the ocean I was carrying 20 lbs - 2 in each rear pocket (4 total) and 8 in each drop pocket (16 total).

No desire to own an air2 so no opinion here.

I don't really like that the front clip in front of the cumberbund is stretchable but its not a huge issue.

I didn't like that the right rear dump cord was routed to the front so I clipped in a gave myself a short pull coming right off the dump.

In short I love it. I fixed the minor issue I had with the right rear dump (my favorite place to dump air from). The stretch issue is very very minor. Pockets are nice and has several clipping points.