Weight with a BP&WINGS

[Lildrgnoflb]

Hello all,

I've been checking the board regularly for advice and info about all things scuba and would just like to say thanks to all who post. I've gotten some great advice, how-to's and frankly, great entertainment while reading the heated debates.

The question I pose is this. For those who use the BP&W set up, do you prefer a traditional weight belt, or some type of weight integration system?

I've been sizing up the Dive Rite Transpac II and I'm not sure which weight system to choose. On the one hand, I like the weight integration system they use (ditchable weight in pockets) but it just seems to make things bulky, which is exactly what I was attempting to avoid by going to a BP&Wings. On the other hand, though I'm use to a weight belt, I've always wondered if distributing the weight more evenly wouldn't be the smarter/more efficient way to go.

My diving mostly consist of scientific and recreational diving. I rarely use doubles, and usually have lotsa measuring devices, tools, and cameras I take down with me.

Any input from you scuba diving aficionados would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully, my post was articulate enough to evoke some kind of usefully answer. If it wasn't , I guess that hooked-on-phonics class I took was a bust. =)

Thanks again.

 

[NINman]

Personal I have just purchased my BP/W setup, I have yet to try it in the water, but this is what I am going to attempt to do:

I wear around 24-26# with a 7mm/Gloves/Booties/etc..

BP = 6#
STA = 2#
2 Trim Pouchs for Tank Belt = 5# each or 3#
Soft Weight Belt = 10# or less depending on what I find out on my first dive.

To be honest I should have got a heavy STA and BP, but sometimes I just wear my shorty or 3mil and I didn't want to be overweighted too much.

Once I try this setup out this weekend I will let you know the results.

 

[cornfed]

The question I pose is this. For those who use the BP&W set up, do you prefer a traditional weight belt, or some type of weight integration system?

I use a weightbelt with my backplate.

 

[Boogie711]

I prefer a weightbelt. Two reasons...

a) Cheaper and easier

b) I used to wear 33 lbs. Due to my skills increasing I brought that down to 23 lbs or so with an AL80 and a 7mm full suit. But with a BP/Wing and a steel tank, I brought that down to 6lbs on a belt - which hardly makes weight integration worthwhile. I wanted just a little bit of weight on my lower half of the fulcrum - if I put all of it up top I'd turtle (flip over headfirst in the water.)

 

[h2whoa]

Not sure if I am understanding the question properly. You would like to buy a TranspacII and want to hear about weighting preferences from BP/W users.

I used a TPII although a good bc its not a BP/W. When I dove the TPII I used the integrated weights although I am not a fan it was better than using a weight belt. I now exclusively with a SS BP/W for doubles and singles. When I dive singles I use a weight belt but because of the SS backplate I need less weight.

Hope the info proves useful.

 

[oharag]

Lildrgnoflb,

I went with a Backplate and Harness recently. During my OW and AOW certs I used an BC Jacket one with both a weight belt and one with integrated weight system. I hated the BC jacket concept. Too bulky. Pressure around your torso during inflation. Et al. I also hated wearing a welt belt. An extra piece of equipment to strap around your already busy waist area. My weight belt kept coming loose, and sliding off my rear. I had no problem with the integrated weight system besides of their bulk.

Because I went to a Backplate and harrness I reduced the amount of weight I needed. I saw one of the divers from my LDS had small weight pockets that attached to the 2 inch webbing near his hips. Small and out of the way. I searched for some options. Here's some options for you to look into:

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/weights.shtml#awp

http://omsdive.com/bc_access.html

I ended up purchasing the OMS BCA 269 weight pocket (check the link above). DiveRite also has a similar weight system, but I liked the OMS SS D-Ring attached to the pocket over DR's plastic ring. The literature states 5 lbs max. I can stuff up to 10 lbs each into the pockets using soft weights. I like the versatility and overall size of these weight options over integrated weight systems and weight belts. You may want to look into DR's clipable weight pocket. These pockets can be attached to a number of different locations to help with trim. The OMS can only attach to webbing. Though I also thought the plastic clips for the DR would be a failure point.

You can install these pockets upside down and use the D-Rings to ditch the weight during an emergency.
oharag

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have an AL BP and wing and I prefer the dive rite weight pouches to a belt. Because 1) they are easier and simpler to use, 2) keep the weight located where it needs to be to float you upright to face up on the surface, and 3) eliminate one more buckle cluttering things up in front.

I dive dry or with a 7mm semi-dry and it is very fast and easy to adjust the weight requirements with the integrated weight pockets. The position of the weight pockets also eliminates the clutter and potential snags associated with the various trim weights people seem to like to stick all over the place to make up for the poor weight ditribution that can occur with a weght belt.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I use steel tanks for weight with my BP/wings.
If I need additional weight I don't use the BP/wing; I use a Transpac (with integrated weight pockets) or jacket (with integrated weights or a belt, depending on which jacket I choose).
Based on my experience with all these different setups, if I were buying my first BC and were diving singles, I'd get a Transpac with travel wing and integrated weight pockets.
YMMV
Rick (who subscribes to the "full toolbox" rather than the "one tool fits all" philosophy)

 

[RICHinNC]

I use the DR TRansplate with a TPII deluxe harness. I got it with the 6x6 weight pouches and ended up getting different...smaller ones. I dont need much weight and the 6 bys are just too dang big......not to mention they look stupid as h***

I placed the as far back toward the wing as I could and have also a utility pouch in front of each and it works like a champ for me.
rich

 

[ae3753]

if I were buying my first BC and were diving singles, I'd get a Transpac with travel wing and integrated weight pockets.

This is the exact set-up that I dive and it works very well. I have the Transweight 36 system and it add a good amount of bulk, especially since I use a small Transpac. Without the integrated weights, the Transpac with travel wing is very streamlined.

My recommendation would be not to get the integrated weights immediately, and to dive with a weight belt initially. Cause if you find the integrated pockets too bulky, that's a pretty large amount of money spent for something that you don't like. The cost of a weight belt is significantly less than the integrated system.

And as Rick states, the tank makes a difference. When diving the local lake, people can use steel 95's and don't require any additional lead. Quite nice actually.