Weight'ing my new Apeks WTX harness

[cgriffit]

Hello,
Im new to this board, specifically to find out the answer to this question, and I cant seem to find anybody else that asked it.

What is a good way to weight myself with this BCD?

I just recently purchased an Apeks WTX BCD with 45 lb lift bag. I bought it because Im 6'7" and its the only BCD that ever felt like it fit right after I got it adjusted. I did not buy a backplate. I did buy the surelock release bags. They hold 10lbs apeice. I think that I need about 35 lbs of total weight and I plan on diving with Steel 119's but, since Ill be renting these, im not completely confident and will figure that part out myself.

Do I need the backplate? I bought this because it fit right, and they told me I didnt need it. Im not a tech diver and dont plan to dive doubles. I do drive in a drysuit.

Any adivice is appreciated, it would seem like putting just the 20lbs in the pockets is going to leave me short weight, and with the weight in the wrong place. There are all kinds of place I can hang things, and I was thinking I could purchase some bags to hold the weight on my tank?

Call me a dork with new gear that I cant seem to quite figure out. I know that after I get in the water im going to be doing adjusting, but I would like to at least start CLOSE to right.

Thanks

 

[Teamcasa]

I do not use the weight pockets on my Apeks WTX Harness system but my wife does on her’s.
Like you, I need over 30lbs when diving, especially when diving my drysuit so I use a conventional weight belt and I made some stainless steel plates that slip into the plate pocket on the harness. You can get the factory plate as well.

If you add enough weight to the harness by using the plate pocket, you may be able to use the pocket system for the balance.


See this post for pictures of my setup.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/3698213-post5.html

 

[Mattleycrue76]

One of the reasons I chose a steel backplate is that it allowed me to dump 6lbs of weight off my belt. Going from an AL80 to a HP119 was another six lbs or so. Plus the BP will come in handy later if I decide to get doubles at some point.

 

[cgriffit]

Ok, so it looks like I am still going to be using a weight belt. Probably Ill put 10lbs or so in the weight pockes and 10-15 lbs in the belt.

I like the picks of the steel plates in the plate pocket, and I think Ill work towards that, but I dont think Ill get anything like that before I get the whole setup wet next weekend.

Do people find that they need to add tank weights with this system? or is that only when diving aluminum tanks?

 

[Teamcasa]

The system gets bulky with both the pockets and a weight belt. For this weekend I’d suggest you just toss in two 3lb or 4lb soft weights in the plate pocket, (you will not feel them), and the remainder in the pockets or just ditch the pockets and wear a fully laden weight belt.

When I switch between my steel HP100 and a Aluminum 80, I just toss in 2 extra 3lb soft weights in the plate pocket.

I never (and that’s just my preference) use weights on the cam straps.

 

[themagni]

I got a WTX a few dives ago, too. I bought it because it felt good, it fit without impeding flexibility, and it was on sale.

Like you, I require 30 pounds of lead to sink with my drysuit and AL80 tank. The WTX quick-release pouches hold 10 pounds each.

I bought some 2" velcro strap and sewed together a 10 pound weight belt. I wrap it around my tank.

It sucks. It sure would be nice if they'd thought that "Hey, maybe someone, somewhere, will dive with more than 20 pounds." Apparently, I'm supposed to spend another $170 for the backplate now, leaving me "just" 5 short. (or 10 in the winter with the thicker undergarments.)

 

[Teamcasa]

Apparently, I'm supposed to spend another $170 for the backplate now, leaving me "just" 5 short. (or 10 in the winter with the thicker undergarments.)

Again, toss some weight into the plate pocket.
or do like I did here.

See this post for pictures of my setup.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/3698213-post5.html

I also have made an additional plate that weighs 12lbs. Works really nice!

 

[themagni]

Again, toss some weight into the plate pocket.
or do like I did here.

See this post for pictures of my setup.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/3698213-post5.html

I also have made an additional plate that weighs 12lbs. Works really nice!

I wasn't sure if I could put weights into the plate pocket. I was concerned about them shifting or falling out. I've dumped so much lead into the ocean over the years that I make China look good. :shocked2:

Anyway, your pictured setup looks pretty good. I think I'll make one myself. It looks to me like it's just two strips of 1/4" stainless stock wrapped in shrink-wrap vinyl. Is that correct?

We've even got some scrap 304 here in the shop. I'll have to find a free weekend and make myself a backplate. I'll probably make 2, one for the summer and one for the winter.

 

[Teamcasa]

I wasn't sure if I could put weights into the plate pocket. I was concerned about them shifting or falling out. I've dumped so much lead into the ocean over the years that I make China look good. :shocked2:

Anyway, your pictured setup looks pretty good. I think I'll make one myself. It looks to me like it's just two strips of 1/4" stainless stock wrapped in shrink-wrap vinyl. Is that correct?

We've even got some scrap 304 here in the shop. I'll have to find a free weekend and make myself a backplate. I'll probably make 2, one for the summer and one for the winter.

Yep, that's what I did. The vinyl is actually a roll of window flashing, one side has an adhesive. The stainless is 3/8” x 3” x 14”.

 

[cgriffit]

Any particular reason that the stainless plates are in viynl? Seems like since they are stainless, you could just de burr the corners and put it in?