Why weight integrated bc's?

[AJ Tudor]

I hate weight belts, I really can't stand them! I find them extremely uncomfortable so as soon as I find the cash I'll fill my BC with weight. It's all a matter of comfort, if you don't mind carrying the extra piece of equipment then carry a weight belt, but if you get caught and are in trouble with taking off your BC, get your buddy to do his/her job and get you free.

 

[Walter]

I hate weight belts, I really can't stand them!

Then I agree, you should go to weight integrated. I, OTOH, find weight integrated a PITA. Either switch tanks with a heavy BC or remove & replace at least two weight pockets every time you switch. Weight belts are much easier. To each his own.

You did have a buddy didn't you?

Not everyone dives with a buddy on every dive. Like it or not, it's what happens.

 

[BSea]

I do agree with you that it's a bit awkward. I guess it's the price someone pays for weight integrated. I'm sold on weight integrated bc's since I now dive a BP/W. But my old BC is also weight integrated. I still have my old weight belt, and my 2nd horsecollar. I was so glad to retire the weight belt, I'll never go back except for the few vintage dives I do just for fun. However, I do think I'll practice the ditch & don thing with my full wetsuit next time at the lake. Well, I may wait till the fall when the air temp drops some. It's no fun getting into a full wetsuit when it's 90 outside.

 

[Rick Murchison]

It's not removing your weights you might want to do, it's removing your BC. Entanglement and a slipping tank are two reasons a diver might want to remove their BC. A weight integrated BC makes it more difficult.

Hmmm... I wouldn't necessarily characterize it so much as more difficult as distinctly different. And I do think it's fair to say it's more hazardous, as losing control could possibly separate you from your air supply, especially if there's lots of weight involved.
As with anything SCUBA, familiarity and practice, practice, practice with your equipment is the key to turning the "more difficult" into the routine.
It's also worth mentioning that the use of steel tanks creates the same situation as integrated weights (depending on which and how many steel tanks) w/r/t removal and replacement of the BC/harness.

Hoping someone would explain to me why weight integrated bc's are so popular, and why they even exist.

They're so popular because many folks don't like to mess with weightbelts; they exist because they're popular
Rick

Rick

 

[sasscuba]

Always have dived with a weight belt and only do tropical dives. Switched to a weight integrated BC (Zeagle)and it made my diving experience more comfortable. It feels as if I have no weight with me at all. I am all for weight integrated BC's now.

 

[dive_lover88]

i'm still wondering why in the world did i get a weight integrated system. Granted,the front pockets are easy to ditch but the back pockets are sewn onto the system and is not removable. I would like a B/P rig with ditchable pockets.oh well...thats in the future.

 

[sasscuba]

i'm still wondering why in the world did i get a weight integrated system. Granted,the front pockets are easy to ditch but the back pockets are sewn onto the system and is not removable. I would like a B/P rig with ditchable pockets.oh well...thats in the future.

With the Zeagle the rear weights are ditchable and I only use 4 pounds back there so really not an issue. In 25 years of diving I have never had to ditch weights and do not know of anyone that I dive with who has. Hopefully I will never have such an emergency to do so.

 

[dive_lover88]

i'm using a dacor talon bcd. I'm normally quite heavy in the front(SpareAir and some other clip on stuffs) and it shifts my cg around and sometimes i'm forced to put the weights in my rear pockets.

 

[fishoutawater]

I'd have to agree with Walter on the "relying on the buddy" ideal. I don't seem to have much luck when it comes to buddies on dive boats whom I know nothing about. I pretty much rely on numero uno. The guy I was diving in the lake with, I dove with several times. He was solid.
But, I've had resort buddies that their tanks slip through the straps and try to bolt for the surface, guys that turn what's supposed to be a drift dive into a "grab the coral head and hang on" dive, guys that show me their spg at 500psi while mine reads 1500, guys that swim around like they're on commando missions, etc. etc...(I pretty much know I'm screwed when he can't figure out how to put his reg on the tank).
But I've also had some damn good ones too. Guys that would actually discuss a plan and follow it with me. Ladies too.
I think that rec diving off cattle boats can be downright dangerous sometimes, and all I want to do is relax and collect nitrogen when I'm on vacation. So I look forward to maybe a little solo diving somewhere in the near future, under the right conditions (brand new regulator, shore dive, calm seas, <50ft.)

 

[Cacia]

I find integrated weights so much of an inconvenience... the tanks always falling over, etc. I like weight belts because the weight is centered near my center of gravity and does not budge. People are one or the other. BF has integrated Zeagle. But, he has no hips, so maybe weight belts are a problem for "straight" people! Iliac crests are needed to hold the belt in place.