To weight integrate, or not to weight integrate... that is the question

[thompsonbe2001]

I personally use the Mares V. The IWS has never given me problems,in fact I don't even notice it.I would recomend it over the belt anyday...

 

[jobowker]

I think large diver summed it up pretty well. One more negative is donning it while on a boat. If you find a weight integrated BC that fits well and it comfortable, go for it. You don't have to put weight in, or you can put in just some of it. For me, a weight belt is easier. I can put on my weight belt by myself while on a heaving boat, and then lift up the tank/BC and put it on my back. It's hard enough to do this with just the weight of the tank and BC. With 38 lbs of weight in it, I couldn;t lift the thing onto my back. That said, IF I dove in warm water and IF I wore a thin wetsuit, then I would most likely switch to a weight integrated BC (since I would have far less weight).
It really depends on the kind of diving you do.

 

[Scuba1]

The amount of lead carryed by alot of people here even in warm water is realy somthing. I have lets call it Tankintigrated kg. I use a 15 ltr Steeltank and a 5mm wetsuit, so L only carry 4kg of lead on my belt......I could slip a 2Kg in eatch pocket of my BC and leave the belt at home. I think using Al tanks you have to put those extra Kg´s somewhere.
Michael

 

[jobowker]

4kg - isn't that like only 10 or 11 pounds? That would be so nice.....

 

[Scuba1]

Yes I use a 5mm Mares Farmerlj plus Jaket, 15ltr Cressie Steel tank, Mares pro bc, idea3 fins,2 mk20 one S600 and aR380 as Octo, Aladin pro ultra, Look low volume Mask and those 4kg of lead. Usual Watertemp. is between 20 and 25 Celsius here on the Canary Islands.

Michael

 

[ifukuda]

I have read a few posts that mention pockets dropping out of IW BC's. This is scary stuff. What would cause a pocket to fall out (besides gravity)? Too much weight in the pockets? Too much wear? I love my IW BC but I'm starting to get worried.

 

[large_diver]

I think it depends on the type of weight pocket. I have a SeaQuest Pro QD with simple pockets attached via velcro flaps. There have been at least a few instances where folks have reported these things falling out -- this could be due to the following:

- Poor care of the velcro -- if you don't clean debris out, it won't stick very well
- Poor velcro connection -- if you don't make sure the velcro is fully "connected", the pockets could fall out

 

[scubatexastony]

My training and certification took place in 1973 while I was in the USN. There was no such critter as a BC, and when I finally decided I had to catch up with the times (1995), I found it a most impressive improvement to my workload, air comsumption. While on vacation last year, our 25 wedding anniversary (which I promised no dives) the wife says "why don't you go diving today?". Wanting only to be the attentive mate, I reluctantly gave in to her. I had to use all rental equipt, (save fins and mask,((she didn't say no snorkelin')) I ended up with a 16lb weight belt and NIBC. Seems I've discovered something here... No rolling of the Vest, still have the control, no adjusting.
Maybe if I was wearing 6 mil and compressing loosens it, but I like it.

 

[JustJules]

Over time, velcro wears out. I had a couple of old pairs of Teva-type sandals that I had to throw a way becuase the velcro wouldn't attach any more. My velcro theory is that velcro only has a certain number of good "rips" to it before it weakens. I'm not sure how many "rips" that is... much like the mysterious number of licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop, the world may never know.

I dive with a weight-integreated SeaQuest Diva QD, and wouldn't want a non-weight-integrated BC. But I do take the pockets out between dive trips and leave 'em out, rather than putting them back in empty or anything. I figure I'm saving two velcro "rips" that way!

Julie

 

[luvdiving]

I just started using my new SP Classic with built in weight integration. I love the feeling of freedom, but I still get the feeling that I left my belt on the boat. I'll still keep my belt, but only to teach classes with.

Make sure you practice ditching those weight pockets in shallow water.

Ken