My husband and I are thinking of buying new weight integrated BCD's for our trip to Bonaire in May. But I understand that the soft weights are not available to rent anywhere on the island. So, my question is... does anyone out there use a weight integrated BCD and do you just lug the weights with you? Or, do you just use a weight belt? Also, can you tell me if the soft weights are usually available to rent when you dive other places? We've never run into this in the past because we've always used non-weight integrated BCD's and a weight belt. Thanks!

Bethany,

My husband and I both have integrated BC's and we just use the weights they have. They will pull out just as easy and the others, but we both use under 12lbs.

Ida

Bethany,

First of all Welcome to BonaireTalk.

I used a weight intergrated system with a kind of bags on my old BC, in those bags I could place both hard and soft lead. With my new BC I have to use hard lead, because the weight pockets are not right for soft weight. I think you should take a look at the BC's in your local divestore and ask them what kind of lead is good for the BC in question.

Martin

Bethany,
I had this same question last year on my first trip to Bonaire. We used the hard weights with no problems. The pockets on most BCs will use either kind. You sure don't want to take weights down with you. They are too heavy and lot of airlines are watching luggage weight more closely. I agree with Martin, check before you buy. My friends who travel more than I do, tell me hard weights are pretty standard most places. We also used them in Cozumel. Once you use weight-integrated you will love it.

Shelly

Wow! Thanks for the responses. The guy at our local dive shop told us he's had no problems finding soft weights everywhere they've dived. Of course, he's trying to sell me a weight integrated BCD so I guess that is what he would say! I think we'll test out the largest hard weights at the store to see if they'll fit in the pockets. If they fit there, I guess we stand a good chance that wherever we go they'll have weights that will fit.

One other question though, will the hard weights cause wear or stretching problems? Seems like the fabric should withstand the hard form but the guy at our local store told use the hard weights would probably cause the pocket to fail prematurely.

Thanks again for your responses!

i know it amounts to the same total weight but i do not like how integrated weights make my BC feel heavy...

i tend to use the integrated pockets only to tune what is on my weightbelt...

and not that it ever is going to be an issue but weight belts are easier to dump...

and also note i'm talking 12-15 lbs weight - for those using less than 10 lbs - hey, it probably makes a lot less difference...

Yeah, I really hope I never have to dump my weight but with the latest weight integrated BC's it seems like the weight would be easier to dump than a weight belt. We're looking at the SeaQuest Surelock system and it's really slick! The weight pockets lock into place so you know they're are secure but when you need to dump them, you just pull two handles and they're gone. With the weight belt, I had trouble sometimes finding the clasp under my BC and then it would get "hung up" on my hips or BC. Of course, I am short, short waisted and not the most coordinated so it could just be me!! We were looking at the BC's because the weights on the belts dug into our bodies. But, I really didn't think about the fact that all that additional weight is now going to be supported by the shoulder straps making the BC seem just that much more heavy. Well, it seems we have some more thinking to do!

Bethany Lee~

I own two Zeagle's BCD's and both use integrated weigh systems. I really don't think hard weights would be a problem with wear unless you dive often. I won't want to go back to the weight belt...The shoulder straps on the bcd equalize the weights more evenly and there is no digging into one's hips. Look and compare different BCD's. One company may not be enough to compare features to, also look for "custom fit" in a bcd. Be sure you're comfortable with it on including wetsuit or drysuit rigs. I carry up to 30 pounds in/on my bcd and although the weigh is still there the pains digging into my hips aren't.

Dive Safe,
jimini

Bethany Lee,
Last September my husband bought me a be weight integrated BC made for a woman. I am also short, short waisted and my 1990 Seaquest BC never fit too well (shoulders up around the ears when in he water). I Love my new BC because it fits so well but I don't care for the integrated weights. I think that is because when I am changing my gear over to a new tank the weights(10-11 Lbs) weighs my BC down and its a little awkward for me to handle. I think you should try changing your gear from one tank to another while in the dive shop. Also try changing your gear at waist high to simulate changing your gear on the tailgate of a truck. Remember your gear will be a little heavier when it is wet. I have gone back to wearing a weight belt. I don't feel the belt digging into me any more because of the way the BC is cut.
Yana

Bob,

May I give my 2 cents on the thing you mentioned?

I think different on the dumping issue. Most of the time you will have a good bouyancy. If you pull out one package (while diving in Holland, that would be about 1/4 of my total weight, as I have 2 pockets and a weightbelt) you get bouyant, and will start ascending on a controlable speed. If I would dump all my weight, approx. 12 kilo's, I would show a great impression of a rocket beeing launched from a sub marine. While diving on Bonaire, I'm using about 6 kilo's, 2 left, 2 right and 2x 1 kilo as trim weight on the back. If I had to dump weight there, I would drop about 1/3 of the total amount of weight and still be able to control my ascent. If I would be in great distress, I could also dump the second pocket (and in Holland) my weight belt. In that way, I can kind of control the ascend speed.

Martin

barbara,

i am with jim, integreated weights are for me. no digging in the hips and i find that i am much more balanced in the water...try them out in a pool if you can before you buy (most shops will let you try it in a pool and if you don't like it, you can take the equpmment back) with the exception of regulators i believe. mine is 4 years old, and they didn't have the "women's bc" at the time, next bc i am going to look into that one!

I used a 'weight-integrated' pack for 20 years, before the era of weight-integrated BC's and think they are the best thing. In my case, the hard weights attached to a metal waistband with one lever each- quick, easy and sure, on and drop. One advantage was that I could gear up completely on the boat and put the weights on the pack even after I put my fins on. Then the mask, gloves and into the water. Gearing up was a lot better without the 'North Atlantic' weights on my waist.

One major advantage of any weight-integrated system is the freedom to use a crotch strap. Next time you are diving with others (every time with a buddy, right?) notice how BC's with any air in them ride up so they are supporting the diver under their armpits. A crotch strap keeps the BC down where it belongs and that helps stabilize the BC on your back. Go for a crotch strap.

Yana girl brings up a good point, be sure your weights are easy to install and "remove" from the BCD. I usually take them out when installing my BCD on another airtank, than just replace them. The diveboat crew don't really care for them either. :>(

I bought the Divi weight integrated BC three weeks ago (it's made for a woman, and fits MUCH better), and I love it. It has pockets on both sides of the back, where I put one 2 lb in each pocket, and I have one 3 lb weight (hard) in each of the front pockets.

It's SO much more comfortable for me. I'm also short waisted and my weight belt was right under the regular BC cummerbund and the weights dug into my waist. The weight pockets seem extremely sturdy, and are rounded to fit the body. Sometimes I take the weight pockets out before I put the BC on and other times I just heft it up.

The soft weights available here (at least at BonBini) are a little bigger than the pockets seem to be made to accommodate, although they could probably be squashed in, but the hard ones seem fine.

I LOVE my weight integrated BC. And BTW, Bon Bini had soft weights when we were there.

Thanks again for all the personal experiences! All the info is really helpful. Buying a new BC is such a big investment. I'm going to follow Blue Tangs advice and ask to test out a weight integrated BC in the pool. That way I can really tell how easy it will be to load and unload the weight system and whether it's going to cause me any other problems I can't predict without testing them out. Thanks again.

Bethany

Bethany

If you are testing the BCD in a pool pay particular attention to how secure the weights are and how easy it would be to put them in such a way that they are not properly secure. I was teaching at the weekend and a student lost a weight pouch (fortunately at the surface) because the velcro wasnt fastened properly.

Also keep in mind that you will need more weight in the sea than in the pool, particularly if you dont use a wet suit in the pool. If you try it out with a lot less weight than you use in the sea you wont really have checked out Bob's point about the unit seeming heavy

Will

Just returned last weekend, used a newly-purchased Scubapro Ladyhawke BC with integrated weight pockets. I loved it! It fit better than my original BC ever did, the hard weights slide easily into each weight pocket, which in turn slide easily into their places on the BC itself. I had no problems with soreness around my waist and hips, which had always been the case with a weight belt. With shore diving, the last thing I added in gearing up to walk into the water was the weight - I use 8-10 pounds. LOL - on one dive my husband and I got our weight pockets mixed up - he had one of mine, I had one of his - but it was a simple thing to trade underwater. (I wondered why I sank like a stone!)

Ginny~
I saw pictures of the Scubapro Ladyhawke BC and was wondering if the upper torso straps cut into your armpits? They look to be adjustable but still look a little small if one was wearing a drysuit. Also I suppose one would have to unsnap the straps to remove the bcd???? I can slide out of mine without unsnapping them, of course it's not a Ladyhawke either :>)

No, Jim, I didn't have any discomfort with any part of the fit or design. For one thing, the Ladyhawke BC comes in several ladies' sizes, so that's an important part of the purchase process. And then there are so many adjustable parts, including the shoulder/torso straps. I didn't unsnap any straps - it just slips on and off, same as most BCs. My husband got the Knighthawke (men's sizes ;-)) and also loves it; he had had a Zeagle previously and thinks this one is a great improvement in design. One would want to try it on over whatever exposure suit one wears - we only dive in warm water so no drysuit for me!!