Weightbelt vs. other options

[JCM]

I recently switched to a backplate and wing setup and after doing a weight check, I determined that I need 8 pounds of lead. I am using a SS backplate and STA which weigh about 9 pounds total and am wearing a 5 mm suit. The 8 pounds of lead is not enough to keep me under without the rig, so I can see no benefit of keeping the weight on a weight belt since if I were to remove the rig I would shoot to the surface even with the weight belt.

Would it be best to keep the weights on a weight belt, attach them to the cam straps, attach them to the waist belt on the front, attach them on the bottom-back slots of the plate, or should I just stick them wherever I can to improve trim?

[baywatch106]

I dive with a BP/W and a 7mm farmer john. I need about 8 pounds. I bought the XS Scuba weight pouches and they just go onto the waist strap of the BP. Works great for me.

[Jack Hammer]

I use a sausage weight or two on my bp that attaches between the bolts and is held on by the wingnuts. Then if I need more I have an XS-scuba weight pocket on the left side of the waist harness between the plate and d-ring that I can add a few pounds to if I need to. I just thread what size weight I need onto the right waist strap. That way I can easily compensate for if I have my can light or how much insulation I wear and I have a few pounds that are easily ditchable if needed.

Jack

[IndyDiver]

You might want to check this thread out:

integrated weights. . . or not

This one also has some good discussion:

Integrated weights versus weight belt

A little seaching will probably turn up a couple more.

[tk trekers]

Not to completely hi-jack the OP's original thread but I do have a similar question. I'm switching to a BP/W setup and through my discussions with Tobin at DSS he figures I'm going to need 2 to 4 pounds when I'm wearing my full wetsuit to wearing my full & shorty wetsuits at the same time in colder water (I know, buy a drysuit...that just might happen this winter, ST has one that has been reduced that I THINK will fit me for under $800). Tobin suggested a weighbelt but I'm thinking I only own soft weights and we're talking 2 to 4 pounds extra. Would that really make a big difference if I used the XS Scuba weight pockets on the harness for that little bit of weight instead of buying a weight belt & hard weights or a weight belt that I can use my soft weights with?

[No Misses]

I dive a SS bp with HP120. I do not carry any extra weight when I use a 3 mil suit (or no suit).

When I dive my 7 mil. I put 8lbs on a weight belt.

At first, I had strung the weights on my bp waist belt. This worked well. Except, for when I would switch dive locations and be going from 3 mil to 7 mil (Ft Lauderdale vs Ft. Pierce diving). It became a PITA. Since, I had to thread the buckle each time I changed weight.

The weight belt is much easier to change weights with. IMHO

The added advantage is that if I were to do an underwater gear doff & don, I would be VERY bouyant without the weight belt. I had to do this once, due to bouy line entanglement on my first stage.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by tk trekers

Not to completely hi-jack the OP's original thread but I do have a similar question. I'm switching to a BP/W setup and through my discussions with Tobin at DSS he figures I'm going to need 2 to 4 pounds when I'm wearing my full wetsuit to wearing my full & shorty wetsuits at the same time in colder water (I know, buy a drysuit...that just might happen this winter, ST has one that has been reduced that I THINK will fit me for under $800). Tobin suggested a weighbelt but I'm thinking I only own soft weights and we're talking 2 to 4 pounds extra. Would that really make a big difference if I used the XS Scuba weight pockets on the harness for that little bit of weight instead of buying a weight belt & hard weights or a weight belt that I can use my soft weights with?

Threading weights is a PITA, as NM notes, mostly because you have to rethread the buckle.

On the other hand, when people only need a few pounds, threading an XS Scuba pouch on the waist belt, to hold some weights (or just leave empty and fold flat if not), is pretty common.

[Jack Hammer]

I've got an XS-Scuba weight pocket permanently mounted between the BP and my left d-ring on my waist belt. I used a rigid 45* d-ring to hold it in place. The rigid d-ring has a slightly larger keeper so the pouch doesn't slip over it like the regular d-ring. I can change the weight easily or leave it empty depending on if I'm diving doubles, singles, steel or aluminum, or for varying insulation dependent on water temp. The right side I just thread a hard weight on as necessary.

Jack

[cmburch]

I also have an XS SCUBA pouch weight belt for solid or soft weights.

I have my stringer attached to it and a spearfishing popper float as well.

I think that a weight belt is the way to go. No sense in sticking all the weight on the Rig.

[navyhmc]

When I use weights (12 lbs with a SS BP/w and 7mm J & J) I use a DUI weight harness. IMO these things are right up there with sliced bread! The weight stays where I put it and most of the time, I don't really notice I have it on. A little prcey compared ot your average weight belt, but well worth it.