Question Integrated weights for first bp/w

[Nev77]

Hi all.

After 100+ dives with a jacket BCD, I recently tried a wing and was instantly converted!

So now (as we do!) I'm looking to buy my own bp/w setup. After a lot of reading, I've settled on the XDeep Zen with the regular harness, not the quick release version.

I was most recently diving in the Med with 4kg on a belt. I could possibly drop a bit more.

With the new rig, I was looking at the XDeep integrated pockets but a) they seem very expensive for a couple of pouches and b) I've read a lot of comments saying they're not great, not easy to access etc.

So I was thinking that if I still need 4kg, I could put 2 x 1kg in trim pockets and 2 x 1 on the harness. If I do that, is it as simple as buying a cheaper pouch and securing it on the waist band with a triglide? Or is there real value in splashing out for the xdeep integrated ones??

Thanks in advance for any guidance!!

 

[Bob DBF]

I'd like to ditch the belt, but I've been looking at so many options that I nearly just went for a pocket belt!

I use a pocket belt, as I use different tanks all the time, and it's easier to change weights out for differences. I also have individual pockets for trim on the BP. Last but not least, I've always worn a belt, its come in handy a few times, so it's a habit.

 

[happy-diver]

So what, are people buying these things to play a version of super hero cool underwater transfomers

and then adding weight

I would say the loose screws are rolling around on the floor with the marbles and soon whilst laughing

I won't be able to find any of them

 

[JimGarey]

I had integrated pockets in my first OMS wings/harness many years ago. They worked well and were comfortable, but when I replaced it with a newer model a few years later the pockets were terrible. It all depends on the design. When I moved to technical diving I only rarely needed to use weights with double steel tanks or rebreathers.

If you were wondering why there is so much emphasis on ditchable weights and finding the minimum weights you need in beginning dive classes, its because in the old days they didn't have BCs (e.g. in my first dive class in 1974). So you had to have enough weight to be able to get barely below the surface, and had to swim to depth. You had to be very fit and a strong swimmer. Once there the only way to stay there was to keep swimming. You wanted the least amount of weight possible so you could swim less to stay at depth and to make it easier to get back to the surface. If you became exhausted you could drop the weights and float up. These days with BC's it is all a lot simpler, and most casual divers are typically overweighted which usually works unless the BC springs a leak! I always think of BCs as elevators in the water.

 

[bdyslm]

I know this is an older thread but I didn't see a response/decision from OP. As a zen system owner, I'll throw my 3 cents in. To give you a sense of my experience with it. While my pool training back home was in a standard vest, the dive shop I did my checkout dives with put me in the xdeep zeos. On my trip where I got my cert and also did my advanced buoyancy, I left that trip with 40 dives. I was a bpw convert and came home and custom-ordered my zen. I've since put about 70 dives on my rig.

When I purchased my zen I got the standard harness, medium secure pockets, mask pocket, and the trim pockets. I normally dive in trunks and a rashie with about 6-8lbs on an AL80 4/6 on an AL100 or 0 on a steel 120. I've yet to use the trim pockets. And I'm in the process of ordering the small pockets just to cut down a little more on weight, bulk, and drag.

The medium weight pockets are easy to get out underwater but a bit fiddly to get back in by yourself, for me it's mainly because I can't contort my body to see what I'm doing so it's all by feel. One thing I would recommend is that you fold the excess pocket around the weight before trying to push it back in. Trying to get the buckle back through the handle loop of the inner pocket is also a little fiddly.

I suppose you could just put the weight in the exterior part of the pocket but I'd be concerned it might slip out if the buckle isn't completely tightened down.

I've also tried just shoving the extra weight in the shell/exterior part of the weight pocket along with the bag pocket (part with zipper) vs taking out the inner pocket unzipping putting the weight in it and then putting it back in the main pocket. Still a bit fiddly.

Lastly, on a recent trip, I undid the waist belt, threaded the extra weight on, and then buckled it back up. Much simpler and quicker. The DM wanted to undo my tank strap and put it on there. No thanks, but I suppose that would work too.

None of this will be an issue if you have your weight dialed in. Considering I'm just over 100 dives, I still fiddle with my weight depending on if I've gained weight, using a 100/120, wearing my frogskins, or on a recent trip diving cenotes and needed to wear a wetsuit and was in fresh water. Sometimes I just want to see how low I can go on weight since I prefer to dive with 0 air in the wing. I can dive with 4lb but getting the initial descent to happen was pretty hard. Then fellow divers (2 mid 50's petite females) on the boat at Coco View asked me why I don't just invert and kick for like 10 feet and then pressure will take over. Well, I'll be darned.

Overall I'd say their pockets are pretty good and I'm glad I went with them, but I don't have a ton of experience with other systems. I do like that they are bolted directly to the backplate and then the belt feeds through them. That helps to keep them straight and your belt pieces easier to grab. I also like that it has a D ring built in.

You can find them cheaper on ebay if you just want black ones. There might be better ones out there in black. my wing is hot pink and I bought lime green pockets to make it my own and be different

 

[stuartv]

Sometimes I just want to see how low I can go on weight since I prefer to dive with 0 air in the wing. I can dive with 4lb but getting the initial descent to happen was pretty hard. Then fellow divers (2 mid 50's petite females) on the boat at Coco View asked me why I don't just invert and kick for like 10 feet and then pressure will take over. Well, I'll be darned.

That is great. Really. As long as you can hold your safety stop at the end of your dive with a nearly-empty tank...

You might say "I'm never going to surface with less than 500 psi" and think that holding a stop with a nearly-empty tank is irrelevant.

But, if you ever have "an issue" while you are on the bottom and - just for example - stay down longer than you should have, and maybe even exceed your NDL by a little bit, you might find that you actually NEED to stay at your safety stop (or a mandatory deco stop) for literally as long as your tank will hold out.

If that ever happens, you will be really hating life if that is when you find out that you had even 2 - 4 pounds less lead than you really should have.

Definitely try to carry as little lead as possible. Just not TOO little. A little bit too much is better than a little bit less than needed.