Tank weight pockets

[bpage08]

Is there any reason I should stay away from these? I want to move 4-6 pounds off of my weight belt and on my BP/W. I see the XS Scuba pockets on leisure pro but they seem like having only velcro to secure the weights it would be prone to coming out and losing weight. I saw the halycon pockets on their website but I've been unable to find any place selling much halycon gear altogether. Does anyone know any place selling halycon pockets or any similar pocket with the quick release buckle holding the weights in. Better yet, are there any DIY instructions out there since I'm a broke college student? Also, are these usually made for soft or hard weights?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Velcro holds well when the forces on it are a shear type load and a 5-6 pound weight is not going to come loose unless your equipment and the soft pink body attached to it comes to a serious and sudden halt. And in that case you would have a lot more to worry about than about losing 4-6 lbs of weight. In any event, you could use either hard or soft weights.

My main objection to tank band mounted weights is that they present additional entanglement opportunities. If you are only looking to add 4-6 lbs, and are using an aluminum backplate plate, you could go to a stainless steel plate. If you already have a stainless steel plate you could add another 6 pounds by stacking another stainless plate.

If you go the XS pouch route I would consider adding them to the Waist strap of your BP harness instead and place them aft of the D-rings as close to the BP as possible.

However since you are only adding 4-6 pounds, you could also simply thread a 2-3 lb hard weight onto each side of the waist strap of your BP wing and secure them as close as possible to the backplate with a tri-glide keeper.

I have tried Halcyon's integrated weight pouches and I did not like them at all and eventually ended up using a set of Dive Rite weight pouches. They are quick releasable, keep the weight much closer to the backplate than the Halcyon pouches, and come in pairs in two sizes with either 16 or 32 lb capacity.

A sort of DIY alternative if you want weight on the tank is to get a cam band and then thread a regular hard weight on it and attach to the tank. If you do your own sewing and just buy the cam buckle and strap separately it can be done for around $5.00. It is very secure but again presents some potential line traps.

 

[ocpaul]

Another approach I have seen is to use a short weight belt and string conventional weight(s) on that belt and belt it around the tank.

 

[onfloat]

In my DIR-F class we talked about using them to place some weight on the cam bands, but you still want to maintain some ditchable weight.

 

[ScottZeagle]

The U.S. Navy uses the Zeagle Ranger with a 6lb. weight pocket (part # 8050S) added to the top tank band. It seems to work well for them...

Just my 2 cents,

Scott

 

[fins]

Dive Rite makes tank weight pockets, they call them auxillary weight pockets that close with velcro and have a plastic release. You can get them a diveriteexpress.com

 

[teknitroxdiver]

You definitely want to keep the majority of your lead on the belt or integrated system, because you can't easily ditch the tank weights at depth. And if you've only got a few pounds on your belt, you probably won't get a good enough ascent rate to get you up fast enough. But an advantage to putting some of the weight on the tank is you can slow down your EBA ascent rate to a safer-but still effective- rate.

 

[ClassAction]

I use a seasoft tank weight (4#). I like it -- it has its own straps which lets you adjust it up/down on the tank to fine tune your trim. If you go with a pocket, you're limited to placing it on the cam stap(s). The seasoft tank weight is a little pricey, though ($20?).

I also use the XS weight belt with the velcro pockets. I was worried about the velcro coming loose, too. But it's actually pretty strong velcro. You won't have a problem. You have to fight it to open it... I use up to five pounds of soft weights per pocket and have never had a problem...

 

[erichK]

I use a seasoft tank weight (4#). I like it -- it has its own straps which lets you adjust it up/down on the tank to fine tune your trim. If you go with a pocket, you're limited to placing it on the cam stap(s). The seasoft tank weight is a little pricey, though ($20?). ...

I use a stretchy black pouch (Spandex or some such) with an adjustable web belt and snap buckle, both for mounting an closing. Worksd very well for compsensation for the extra buoyancy of alminum tanks, when switching from steel. It needs a tank boot or lower tank strap to be truly secure, though.

 

[Scubaroo]

Dive Rite makes tank weight pockets, they call them auxillary weight pockets that close with velcro and have a plastic release. You can get them a diveriteexpress.com

If you're after these pockets, grab them now. Word on the street is that Dive Rite has agreed to drop manufacture of these weight pockets in the past few weeks because of a claimed patent infringement lawsuit. It's turned out cheaper to simply cease manufacture and walk away than fight the lawsuit to the end.

If you go the XS pouch route I would consider adding them to the Waist strap of your BP harness instead and place them aft of the D-rings as close to the BP as possible.

This is what I do - used this setup for 10 dives recently on a trip. Worked a treat. No problems with the velcro when using a 4lb hard weight. Not exactly quick-ditchable though - you'll need to dig the weight out by hand if you need to dump some. I've tried, and you can just barely fit a 5lb soft weight in there if you jam it in and shake it to settle.