Why weight pockets on the Cam Band?

[dumpsterDiver]

This seems like a simple question, but I see people often recommend weighted STA's, various pockets that slip onto the cam band etc.

If someone were cheap (like me) why couldn't they just slide a weight or two onto the cam band itself? I know it would take up some slack and would not be convenient to add and subtract weight frequently, but it seems like it would be done once.

Would it cause the tank to slide through the cam band?

 

[charlier]

Good question. My method is slide a 1 kg on my upper cam band and be done with it. If I wear a thicker wetsuit, I stack two 1 kg wts on the top cam band. I never understood why one would purchase separate pockets, other than if one needs so much lead that they need pockets for the all the wts. FYI, I use skin tight free dive wetsuit. This helps minimize extra wt and promotes a streamlined profile. FYI, I have never had an issue with the tank sliding thru the cam band, or loosing up. charlie

 

[spectrum]

It can be done as you suggest but it's a PITA to reconfigure. As someone who can range from trunks to drysuit in a single weekend being able to adjust those trim weights in a snap is a nice feature. The one on the right is also a dandy keeper for the end of my drysuit hose hose it's not in use.

In hindsight i suspect at least some cam bands are not long enough to lace through a pair of weights.

Pete

 

[creamer]

When I dive drysuit I need some 30 lbs of lead and I put 10 of that in pockets on my cam band, 5 per side. I wouldn't want ten on one side for obvious trim issues and to completely unthread and reconfigure is PITA especially if using borrowed weights while travelling.

 

[DevonDiver]

The only issue I've experienced with putting weights onto the cam bands is the inconvenience of having to remove/replace them. If I'm travelling diving, that can be every few days (I don't take my own weights when I'm flying or hauling gear by hand in developing countries).

As an instructor, trim pockets on the cam band also give me the option to reach back and remove the weights... as occasionally a student might need a little extra during the process of getting properly tuned...

 

[3D diver]

I've done this & it was just a bit inconvenient when switching tanks. I switched from aluminum to steel tanks and don't need the extra weight any more.

I recently picked up a strap, second hand, that was sold for adding trim weight to a tank. Just a shorter bit of webbing and a buckle. The guy that sold it to me said he used it to adjust his trim by moving it up or down the length of the tank.

 

[captio2000]

As a divemaster, most of my diving is done in a quarry, with and without students, with different size tanks, with or with or without bailout bottle, with different drysuit undergarment depending on the weather. Having pockets on my cam bands allows me to easily adjust amount and distribution of the weight for whatever is the immediate need. It allows for easy trim adjustments as well.

 

[halocline]

Awap made some nifty straps with velcro closure for putting weights on cambands without a pocket and without re-threading the camband. I use those, they work great. I'm sure they're easy to make.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Awap made some nifty straps with velcro closure for putting weights on cambands without a pocket and without re-threading the camband. I use those, they work great. I'm sure they're easy to make.

Could you post a pic please?
I also have ideas to attach hard weights onto a rubber belt, or even onto the waist webbing of a BP/W rig with quick clips, both for travel. I'm sure they already have those but I think my idea is pretty good.

 

[decompression]

I use a bit of bungee to attach weights to almost anything similar to 2" webbing, like a cam band.


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