solid lead or pellets?

[highlandfarmwv]

Which are best for weight integrated BCs? It is my understanding that some areas ban the pellets for environmental reasons.

The LDS recommends pellets, but I'm wondering why? Are they more expensive or are they better? Thanks.

 

[mike_s]

It depends on the BC, but most of the time pellets are easier on the weight integrated BC.

Why? because they don't stress 'soft pockets' in the BC's with soft pockets and on the oines that use the 'weight cartridge', it's hard to fit a hard lead weight into many of them. Soft weights just fit better.

The other advantage of soft weights is that if you drop them on your foot, they wrap around your foot some and it doesn't hurt as bad as a hard weight hitting your foot.

Of course if the lead soft weight bag is busted any, it could leak pellets which fish and birds might eat and is an environmental concern. So you just have to make sure you're 'not leaking pellets'.

 

[Charlie99]

If you are buying weights for local use in your BCD, I recommend soft weights. OTOH, don't worry if you are off in some dive resort and they only have solid weights -- they will work fine.

The pellets, more often called "soft weights" are recommended by most manufacturers of weight integrated BCDs. They put less wear and tear on the weight pockets, and they also don't slide around as much, so therefore are not as likely to dislodge the pocket from the BCD.

The drawback of soft weights is that they take up more room than the equivalent block weights. This should only be a problem if you approaching the weight limit for the pocket. They are a bit more expensive.

I have used mostly solid weights in my weight integrated BCDs. On one of them, the pocket is showing significant wear and I need to replace it, after about 300 dives, and quite a few boat trips where the pocket works back and forth for much of the ride.

 

[Damselfish]

I haven't heard of anyone banning soft weights but it's certainly possible, they can leach yuck and if you did start leaking pellets that would be bad.

Soft weights are more expensive and take longer to dry. On a belt they're generally more comfortable and don't hurt so much if you drop them on your toes. Most WI BCs can hold solid weights ok and in some of them there's enough structure and layers involved that you're not going to feel them. In some BCs hard weights would cause more wear especially if you're trying to stuff in the max weight. I have a Ladyhawk which has very stiff almost rigid weight pockets where I don't think it would make a difference. Personally I'd stick with solid if possible but it depends on your BC and how much weight you are putting in there, try both and see.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I use Sea Pearls soft weight pouches in my DUI Harness and the trim pockets I have on my upper cam band. I like them a great deal and would highly recommend the soft weights.

 

[Irene]

The soft weights are nice, but they never seem to get completely dry between dives. By the end of a dive weekend, they really start to stink. I prefer the hard weights just to reduce the mildew odor in my car and house.

 

[Jon C]

I used lead shot for my integrated bc for quite some time.

Then it hit me that the gray runoff "stuff" was heading down my driveway and eventually back into the ocean when I rinsed them after a dive. Obviously, they are also leaching into the water when I am diving. So, I commited to not using them anymore.

I heard ScubaPro had some sealed shot weights, but they seemed to have discontinued them in the USA. Go figure. Anyway, I am using plastic covered solid weights in my pouches now. A bit more difficult to load, but worth the minor inconvenience to keep the lead out of the ocean. I wish more folks would use them and/or ScubaPro would re-issue the sealed shot weights.

 

[spectrum]

Soft costs more and they will eventually blow out

Soft leaches and will stain your gear and have some (how much?) effect on the enviornment.

Soft is more comfortable.

Soft won't hurt you if you drop it.

Soft won't dry almost instantly in the sun.

Some BCs specify the use of hard weights, check your manual.

Soft weights are physically bigger due to the air apsce around pellets and though conforming in shape can never be as compact as solids.

I use all hard, my wife uses a mix.

I have not encountered bans however if you go home and rinse a soft weight pouch in a pail of cear water after a few dives you can understand why having lost weight pouches on the botom of dive sites is a bad thing.

Pete

 

[Don Wray]

I ran into a dive boat in Florida that told me to leave my soft weights in the truck and they would provide hard weights...seems they had a problem with the soft weight bags spilling shot on the floor of the boat and the shot ended up in their bilge pump running it.

 

[Codyjp]

i have often wondered of the evironmental effects of soft weights. they are lots nicer though to jam into pockets.