Why pockets for BP/W system are so expensive?

[Torontonian]

I'm considering buying a BP/W, but thought I would need to add some pockets. Maybe a weight pocket and then some non-weight pockets to hold whistle, knife, slate, backup light, macro lense, etc. So I begin to look up prices for both weight pockets and non-weight pockets. I'm astonished by the prices by the BP/W manufacturers.


Why are pockets by the BP/W manufacturers so expensive? I can understand that if one is made with a special pull cord for ditcheable weight, it is harder to make and can be more expensive. But many are just pockets that can hold weight, or anything. Yes they can have a 2" webbing threaded or weight belt thru, but I fail to see why they can cost $40, $50, or more.

OTOH, someone in another related thread mentioned XS Scuba pockets that can be bought for $8. So here's an example of weight pocket that is inexpensive.


Am I missing something? Couldn't I just use some pockets (including ones from dollar stores) as long as it can be attached to the webbing, whether threaded thru, or just wrap around with button, clip, etc.? This is especially if the pocket doesn't need to hold many pounds of weight.

 

[PhilEllis]

I'm considering buying a BP/W, but thought I would need to add some pockets. Maybe a weight pocket and then some non-weight pockets to hold whistle, knife, slate, backup light, macro lense, etc. So I begin to look up prices for both weight pockets and non-weight pockets. I'm astonished by the prices by the BP/W manufacturers.


Why are pockets by the BP/W manufacturers so expensive? I can understand that if one is made with a special pull cord for ditcheable weight, it is harder to make and can be more expensive. But many are just pockets that can hold weight, or anything. Yes they can have a 2" webbing threaded or weight belt thru, but I fail to see why they can cost $40, $50, or more.

OTOH, someone in another related thread mentioned XS Scuba pockets that can be bought for $8. So here's an example of weight pocket that is inexpensive.


Am I missing something? Couldn't I just use some pockets (including ones from dollar stores) as long as it can be attached to the webbing, whether threaded thru, or just wrap around with button, clip, etc.? This is especially if the pocket doesn't need to hold many pounds of weight.

Well, you may be missing something, but it should be pretty obvious. The guys getting $40-$50 for a simple pocket are hoping that their name will mean a lot to you. It doesn't cost them any more to manufacture that pocket (i am speaking in the aggregate....special circumstances may cause a difference), they simply want to make a 300% or 400% or 500% markup on the item. It is also a pretty low volume proposition, so if there is any tooling or jigs involved, they may be attempting to recover that cost.

Phil Ellis

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Duh, because it's life support equipment!

I guess even hubcaps are life support equipment then, becuase a set of replacements for my dad's Honda were going to be around $100.

 

[Jasonmh]

Generally weight pockets and "utility" type pockets are very different animals, and usually not interchangeable.
For the weight pockets I like the XS Scuba ones you mentioned. For a utility pocket you can use anything that will go on standard 2" webbing, or attach a pocket to you suit. Zeagle has one pictured here:
http://www.zeagle.com/index.php?submenu=Accessories&src=gendocs&link=Accy_pockets
The "tech utility pocket" in the upper left corner that slides on standard size webbing.
I started using that, until I got pockets on my suit.
There are also many styles of pockets for suits, like this one here:
http://www.fifthd.com/index.php?mai...id=116&zenid=820e2f9cc1dc7af556df4492e54312a8
That might be able to be modified to go on the harness.
I started out with a pocket on the webbing, but like them much better attached to my suit.

 

[Rainer]

I don't make pockets, so can't speak to the question of cost. That said, you can add a pair of x-shorts (two bellows pockets) for $20 (well, that's how much they cost me three or four months ago).

 

[Torontonian]

I don't make pockets, so can't speak to the question of cost. That said, you can add a pair of x-shorts (two bellows pockets) for $20 (well, that's how much they cost me three or four months ago).

What's this X-shorts?

 

[Dan Gibson]

Low volume would typically suggest there are no jigs involved; just good old fashioned work done by hand. That should add to the labor costs.

Of course there could also be the additional markup just because they can.

It is also a pretty low volume proposition, so if there is any tooling or jigs involved, they may be attempting to recover that cost.

Phil Ellis

 

[RonFrank]

Am I missing something? Couldn't I just use some pockets (including ones from dollar stores) as long as it can be attached to the webbing, whether threaded thru, or just wrap around with button, clip, etc.? This is especially if the pocket doesn't need to hold many pounds of weight.

I personally would not use a cheaply made pocket to store something expensive. Those $ store pockets will likely rust, fall apart, and/or break after a few dives. Remember they will NOT be made to submerge, salt will increase the problem.

The $8 XS scuba weight pocket is just that, a VERY small weight pocket designed for a weight belt. It will hold 5#, but not a mask for example.

If you want a good pocket many manufactures make them for under $25. Zeagles are all in the $20 range. DR as well. The exception is the weight pockets with a release system. Those will run you some bucks. IMO a better solution would be just to purchase a weight belt that would hold soft weights. A 4~6 pocket weight belt that holds soft weights is about $15~20 even if you can find them for a LOT more. Our LDS had a REAL nice Pinnacle weight pouch, the best I've seen. But for $50+, I'll get something else.

 

[HappyMon]

Find a military surplus store. They should have plenty of pockets for 3" webbing in all kinds of sizes for very little cash, and they're made for very hard wearing.

 

[*Floater*]

What's this X-shorts?

X-shorts were a pair of neoprene (?) shorts with two thigh pockets on them produced by dive-xtras and meant to be worn over your wet- or drysuit. They were sold at $90 a pair, but at one point slightly defective but working units (missing string, missing grommets, etc) were sold on ebay for $20, and another site sold them (non-defective) for about $40, but I think they are all out now and dive-xtras doesn't make them anymore. They were great though while they existed (I bought an extra pair of the defective ones). Of course you can just buy two pockets and glue them to your wetsuit or drysuit for less than $90, but at $20 they were a steal.

Here's a pic of me gearing up and wearing a pair of them.