Let me make sure that we're on the same page.
"MRS" is Mares' integrated weight pocket that has the
mechanical locking mechanism thingy inside the pocket
instead of the velcro, right?
1. I'm suprised that you've logged over 400 dives, since
the MRS came out. I thought The MRS has only been out
less than 2 years? Do you instruct or DM full time?
(I'm jealous... I'm lucky to get 50 dives in a year).
2. You did not mention, where (or in what types of conditions)
you dive...
But, I dive in the temperate waters of SoCal, which
means 7mm wetsuit...20lbs of lead...8lbs x 2 in the weight
pockets (or belt) + 4 lbs of trim weights.
I do a lot of beach diving (over half my dives are beach
dives), and when I do, I prefer to don my BC by lifting the
tank over my head. So, it's a lot easier to put on the BC
without the weights in them.
I found the locking mechanism on the MRS too troublesome
to lock, when I tried putting in a 8 lbs weight pocket into the
BC while I was wearing the BC.
But, if it works for you... good for you.