Good weight system for BP/W

[NAVY21]

I refuse to spend $50 each for the OMS no sag weight pocets or comapct quck release pockets (in my opinion, for what they charge for a harness...AKA: webbing and a couple D rings they should include it) so my question is....has anyone found a good reliable weight system (pref. ditchable and low profile) for a bp/w that doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Thanks!

 

[Rainer]

Yup, a weight belt. I also use weight plates with my DSS rig (non-ditchable).

 

[Lone Frogman]

If you don't want to spend any more money. Then use a weight belt.

 

[Jasonmh]

The xsscuba pockets are cheap and work well:
http://www.xsscuba.com/weight_belts.html
The model WB101 - Single Weight Pocket
I have seen them for 8-9 bucks on Scuba.com, LeisurePro, etc.

 

[Mo2vation]

A weighted plate for most of it, and a weightbelt for the balance of it.

After diving the Halcyon ACB for years (despite Uncle Pug telling me one day I'd eBay it and go to a proper weightbelt... he was right) I prefer the weightbelt. When you're moving the rig around, its so much easier to schlep. The weight belt puts the weights on my hips, not in front of me (in prone) and it makes more sense.

I like it a lot better. This from a guy who swore he'd keep the ACB forever just a year ago.

---
Ken

 

[TimK]

I use a DUI Weight and Trim II Harness with 26 lbs of weight. Fits nicely under my BP/W and will hold up to 40 lbs of weight. Being an adjustable harness, it distributes the weight to the should and hip area making it much more comfortable to carry around. I had huge problems with a weight belt -- to the point of almost quitting diving so this saved the sport for me. You will have to shell out about $99 for it though. Weight is ditchable two ways -- open a pocket and throw some out or pull the yellow ripchord type handles which detach the pockets from the harness and let go of the handles (then reorder new weights and pockets).

 

[Rick Inman]

When diving a single, I use the DUI system, also (got it in a trade, or I'd never spend$100 on it). I love how it rides not on the hips (as in, lower back pain) but on the shoulders.

However, I did tuck in those stupid, useless yellow quick-releases that stick out begging to be caught on something. That cleaned the rig up nicely and removed the possibility that someone might actually pull on them. Still, all those straps and keepers and pockets are a bit dangolishous, so I'm much more content just using a V weight with my doubles and being done with it.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I refuse to spend $50 each for the OMS no sag weight pocets or comapct quck release pockets (in my opinion, for what they charge for a harness...AKA: webbing and a couple D rings they should include it) so my question is....has anyone found a good reliable weight system (pref. ditchable and low profile) for a bp/w that doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Thanks!

My recommendation is to first determine how the weight you need affects your trim.

Do a careful weight check to verify how much total weight you actually need, i.e. back plate + XX lbs.

Now you need to find out where on your body that XX lbs needs to be to promote horizontal trim. A pool and some "temporary" weights is a great help. Ankle weights, or soft weights and zip ties allows you to move weight around and try different set ups.

The bottom of a pool is a great horizontal reference (if the pool is large enough) Dump your wing, and lay on the bottom. Add little puffs of gas until you just lift off the bottom. If your knees stay on the bottom you need to move weight "north" if your chest is on the bottom you need to move weight "north".

Once you determine where the ballast should be carried you can consider various ways to achieve that.

If you are lucky all the required ballast will be in a weight belt, belts are cheap and readily available everywhere.

If you find you need more weight higher on your body, pouches on the cambands are one solution, or a heavier tank if possible.

I use a SS plate and harness that weigh about 6 lbs, 8 lbs bolt on weights, and about 4-6 lbs on a belt, with steel tanks.

Everybody's different, you gotta invest the time to find what works for you.

Good luck,

Tobin

 

[shoredivr]

Tobin, thanks for the pool tip.

 

[utdivermatt]

Another vote for the DUI. Yes, its expensive, but dang does it make a difference. I wasnt happy at all with the XS Scuba pouches that alot of people have. The DUI works great, and is worth the price. It doesnt even feel like the weight is there.