I've been following the "pockets" thread on the Hogarthian forum, and I'm wondering what the DIR take on the options are. So far most of the DIR equipment options have made a lot of sense to me. I just recently ordered a BP/W and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the stuff that I currently keep in my BCD.
The options seem to be glue-on pockets, harness pockets, x-shorts or diver's holster.
Glue-on pockets seem to be the preferred option, both from simplicity and reliability points of view. Unfortunately, the permanency is a killer for me as I'm currently diving a $30 wetsuit, and I wonder what I would do if I were to return to the Caribbean where a 7mm wetsuit would be inappropriate. A trilaminate suit isn't an option at this point
Harness pockets seem pretty good at first, but they seem like they might get in the way of a can light or a long hose. The garter-belt style pockets that DiveRite offer (http://www.diverite.com/products/catalog/pockets/ac3201) seem a little better, however the straps seem like they might pose an entanglement hazard.
I'm leery of the x-shorts (http://www.dive-xtras.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=44&idcategory=38) because it seems like I'd need a different size over a 7mm suit than over bare skin, which means it would have one of the two disadvantages of the glue-ons and it's another thing to leave at home.
The diver's holster (http://www.cadivingnews.com/article/846/IST-Holsters-) is what sort of prompted this post. It seems light and adjustable, and fairly streamlined. It's attached purely by velcro, which is not very reassuring from my experience with cummerbunds. Should I be worried about them not staying attached to me, or catching on things (like harbor seals)?
The final option would be to do without pockets. Is there a better way to store an SMB, reel, slate, mirror and whistle?
The options seem to be glue-on pockets, harness pockets, x-shorts or diver's holster.
Glue-on pockets seem to be the preferred option, both from simplicity and reliability points of view. Unfortunately, the permanency is a killer for me as I'm currently diving a $30 wetsuit, and I wonder what I would do if I were to return to the Caribbean where a 7mm wetsuit would be inappropriate. A trilaminate suit isn't an option at this point
Harness pockets seem pretty good at first, but they seem like they might get in the way of a can light or a long hose. The garter-belt style pockets that DiveRite offer (http://www.diverite.com/products/catalog/pockets/ac3201) seem a little better, however the straps seem like they might pose an entanglement hazard.
I'm leery of the x-shorts (http://www.dive-xtras.com/cart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=44&idcategory=38) because it seems like I'd need a different size over a 7mm suit than over bare skin, which means it would have one of the two disadvantages of the glue-ons and it's another thing to leave at home.
The diver's holster (http://www.cadivingnews.com/article/846/IST-Holsters-) is what sort of prompted this post. It seems light and adjustable, and fairly streamlined. It's attached purely by velcro, which is not very reassuring from my experience with cummerbunds. Should I be worried about them not staying attached to me, or catching on things (like harbor seals)?
The final option would be to do without pockets. Is there a better way to store an SMB, reel, slate, mirror and whistle?