Question new hydros pro starting weight, always used pilot jacket style before

[Joel S.]

say, let say I use 12lbs last trip to Cozumel, usual scubapro pilot or similar jacket... any ballpark starting point for the hydros pro ?? like down 2 or something ?? and how would one sort out trim pockets.... do I get the total weight close or dialed in, then work on position, or does it all work together ??
like 10 lbs just in the weight pockets then move to say 6 in the pockets, and 4 in trim total??

after about 100 dives, the wife and I finally got bcds and regulators, had the rest of the basic kit including computers already...
the new spg is way lighter than the usual big dual scubapro spg , not sure if that's another lb or so

might have to do a weight check at the start of the dive our first day... doubt the dive shop will let us woddle out in the ocean for a weight check when we get there...
(prepaid with Dressel, staying at iberostar....stayed there in july and it worked out well for us)

thanks so very much for your time, I greatly appreciate it
(i read something about weight pockets getting damaged if the weight is not removed?? is this still a concern, or not so much for our use ?? we will bring the other straps with just in case..)

 

[johndiver999]

Dropping 2 lbs is not going to make much of a difference.

I think I would configure everything the same as I had before; see how it feels and then make adjustments as necessary.

The consequences of diving 2-3 lbs more lead than you really need are trivial, however being underweighted 3 lbs can be quite frustrating, especially if both buddies have done the same excessive lightening of ballast - so they can't really help each other when one starts floating on the safety stop.

You are not going to be able to really dial everything in perfectly anyway if you haven't dove in a while, the gear is a little different, the suit may not be identical, body weight/composition may have changed since last trip etc. etc.

12 lbs is a good (first) estimate for diving with an aluminum tank, a 3 mm suit and a typical person, in my experience anyway..

 

[lexvil]

Likely 2 to 4 lbs less.

 

[Joel S.]

Should have added I don't use a wetsuit... well, I bought some sharkskin stuff for this trip.. prior was always a rash guard and trunks..
Last trip in July, surface was 90degrees, and 85 degrees at 80 ft..

Sadly I'm as fluffy as I was in July as well.. lol

Aluminum tank, probably the bigger ones.. same as my 12lbs last time..could probably have been less, but a puff was better than getting floaty at the end of the dive..

Thanks for your time, much appreciated

 

[newman_diver]

I would stick with around what you have now and do a weight-up at the end of your first dive. Should be able to stay at 3m/10’ with 500 psi in the tank and empty wing. If you still have a bunch of air in the wing, take some weight out. If you can’t maintain that depth, add some.

Even after diving for many years, I still do weight-ups every so often to keep things dialed.

 

[thomschoon]

Sharkskin is neutral, so as others have stated, start with what you know. I use a HP100 and 3 lbs in fresh, 8lbs in salt.