weights?

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jjgibo

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so i am not sure if i am in the right thread or not so if i am someone feel free to correct me. anyways i was wondering what peoples thoughts were on hard weights vs soft weights(lead bbs). are there any thoughts out there on weight integrated bcs using one or the other. currently i dive with 18 pounds, and a tusa evolution platina weight integrated bc. i have three pounds in each of my trim pockets and six pounds in my weight integrated pockets. currently i use hard weights but am considering moving to soft weights(lead bbs)
 
I origionally got soft weights to use in my integrated BC, but just switched to hard weights .... the hard weights dry in about 5 seconds in the sun, the soft weights took all day and then some.
This only really matters because I have to store all the stuff inside...
 
If your integrated weight pouches are large, the soft weights tend to shift around or settle at the bottom more than hard weights. Agree about the drying time. FInally, lots of places / boats may provide hard weights so you don't have to carry your own weights. I like the idea of getting used to using these when available.
 
this is awesome guys, i appreciate the input. this is the first negatives i have heard about soft weights, but that is also what i was looking for. a lot of times we just hear about the positives and never the negatives until we have to find it out by ourself. and during a dive is not when i want to find out the negatives about any of my equipment. thanks guys, and if any other folks are reading this keep the input coming. it will be a few weeks before i actually make the switch.
 
Comfort is big benefit of soft weights - but only if you are using a weightbelt. For weight integration I don't see the point as long as you are using hard weights that will fit in the pockets.

Depending on weight pocket design it can be harder to load soft weights into integrated pouches and the same amount of weight is always more bulky with soft weights.

I think hard wights are also more environmentally freindly. Soft weights using lead shot have a huge amount of lead surface area that can oxidize and that oxidation is then ground off by friction between the pellets creating large amounts of lead dust. Hard weights in contrast are much more durable and for all practical purposes inert.
 
DA i didn't realize about the oxydation and lead dust factor hmm maybe i will stick with my hard weights, or at least do some more research before i get my weights. Although how much oxydation do you get when you rinse your gear off all the time. Everyone thinks I am crazy because I wash all my weights as well. I take out the individual hard weights and give em a good soak and then a good rinsing at the dive site and at home as well. I am kind of nuts I guess, I almost always wash my stuff twice, once at the dive site or somewhere close by and a second time when I get home.

oh yeah and for zippsy i forgot to reply last night but I was going to say, I mostly do shore dives and so I have to carry my weights with me, although when I am going on to a boat I will remember that.

thanks for all the advice guys, this is cool, I am getting a lot of perspective here. I appreciate it.
 
i'm not a big fan of soft weights although my LDS loves them.

When wet, they're a pain in the butt to get out of the integrated weight pouches. The solid lead simply slides out. I also took out the weights from my BCD because I hang my BCD to dry. It didn't make sense for me to stress out the pockets and the hanger with dry weight.

Some people say that the solid lead weights slide around in the weight pouch, but I usually had two weights - a 3 and 4 lb for each integrated weight pocket. The two weights would wedge against each other so no weight shifting.

The main selling point of soft weights is that they're more comfortable. As I usually wear 7mm or a drysuit, I've got so much padding that it doesn't make a difference. In addition, most BCDs have so much padding anyway, that it probably makes very little difference. As mentioned, the soft weights take a long time to dry.

As you gain more experience, expect to be able to take more weight off, so keep your weight in pieces. I think that I started at 22lbs and I've been able to shave off 10lbs.
 
jjgibo:
..currently i dive with 18 pounds, and a tusa evolution platina weight integrated bc. i have three pounds in each of my trim pockets and six pounds in my weight integrated pockets. currently i use hard weights but am considering moving to soft weights(lead bbs)

I have a similar configuration.. I use the Tusa platina now, 8lb in each picket & 3lb in each trim pocket. All soft weight. Have been considering moving to hard weight though for same reasons as already mentioned, they take more room & harder to stuff, they hold water, long time to dry, etc. Why do you want to switch, I've been looking to find a negative to going to hard weights.
 
naiya,

i was hoping to go to the soft weights for comfort. i am not sure whether or not if i want to go to soft weights that was the whole kinda point of posting this thread. plus i don't know a lot so i like to learn. anyways if i get any other ideas of why to switch i will let you know.
 
If ur not comfortable with handling hard lead weights, you can get them with a plastic or non-skid surface. This helps the weights from sliding around.

If u really want to go with soft weights, check ur LDS or local dive club to see if anyone is willing to sell/swap them. Even though soft weights cost more than regular lead weights, you might be able to find someone who would be willing to swap soft weights for hard - eg. someone like myself who doesn't like the soft weights and would rather go with a hard weight.
 

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