Integrated BCD, ease of use

[bigsnowdog]

Given all the BCD's you have used with varying kinds of weight pockets and removal methods, what brand to you like the best with respect to how the weights work?

 

[claymore]

Zeagle RIPCORD system. No velcro or buckles to wear out or break. I have not heard of the ripcord system dumping weights accidently but have heard of several cases of velcro or buckle systems coming loose.

With the ripcord system You do not have to unbuckle or pull open and pull out the weight pouches just unzip the zipper and lift out the weight pouch by the loop handle if you want remove the weights at the end of a dive or change weights.

Just my opinion.

 

[DiveMaven]

Agreed regarding Zeagle! Not only is it super easy to put weights in and take them out, but you can use weights of any type or shape (including a rock if you want). There are no weight pockets to fall out and lose (and replace to the tune of $25+ each), and you don't have to worry about cramming weights into small partitioned areas in the pockets.

You can also add a weight pouch (yellow thingies) where you have all your weights in one little pouch that just drops into your weight pocket on your BC. Makes it easier to remove weights if you have to hand them up on a boat, or simply to carry your gear.

 

[SteveAD]

1 more zeagle

 

[jmorriss]

Zeagle hands down.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Given all the BCD's you have used with varying kinds of weight pockets and removal methods, what brand to you like the best with respect to how the weights work?

Backplate and wing with heavy SS plate (mine is 9lbs) and either a weight harness or lead permanently fastened to the plate. I don't like pockets or anything cluttering my waist or chest. I do not like weights which can be dropped unless its in very small increments. A diver should be able to swim their rig up or have alternate buoyancy or be able to remove the rig completely when necessary IMHO.

 

[bigsnowdog]

Backplate and wing with heavy SS plate (mine is 9lbs) and either a weight harness or lead permanently fastened to the plate. I don't like pockets or anything cluttering my waist or chest. I do not like weights which can be dropped unless its in very small increments. A diver should be able to swim their rig up or have alternate buoyancy or be able to remove the rig completely when necessary IMHO.

Understand, I am a novice, but.... I was of the understanding that in an emergency it might be very useful to drop weights to facilitate an ascent. Your idea that one should be able to swim up might be a lovely ideal, but not always possible.

Am I misunderstanding you?

 

[Damselfish]

Avoid anything with velcro holding the weight pockets in the BC. These tend to be unreliable even when new before the velcro wears. I'm not sure if anyone even makes them like that anymore, but if you were looking at used BCs you might run into them. (It's ok if the velcro is just keeping a weight insert shut.)

Granted I only tried it in the pool for a bit, but I hated the Zeagle ripcord system. The whole thing just felt too sloppy. I actually tried a number around the same time. I wound up with a Ladyhawk and I prefer the very structured weight pockets, and have never had a problem.

 

[ptyx]

Your idea that one should be able to swim up might be a lovely ideal, but not always possible.

As a rule, you never ever want to ascend too fast.

The only scenario where you would need to ditch weight at depth is a complete BC failure. Many backplate divers use drysuits as well, so aren't too concerned about that.

In the worst case, a properly weighted diver would only have to beat gas weight (about 6 pounds in the worst case with an AL80) and wetsuit compression. This (in theory at least) is easily accomplished by energetic swimming which - compared to ditching weight - cannot degenerate into a much more dangerous runaway ascent.

On the other hand, a concern with some weight system is spontaneous release of all the weights at once by accident...

Personally, I think the best system is to have only a small fraction of your total weight releasable. But I don't think any 'integrated' BC accommodates that. :depressed:

 

[ivobj]

my preference is BP/W setup, don't change it for anything, best trim adjustment and no weight belt or integrated weights with neither double or single tanks.