Just bought at BP/W....do I need weight pockets?

[Nation of Heat]

OK, let's start by saying I know this is going to be a hard question to answer given the number of variables. But I'm leaving in 10 days for a two week dive trip and if the answer is a resounding "yes, you idiot buy them" I still have time to order them. So with that in mind....here's my situation:

Just bought a basic bp/w with an aluminum plate (Thanks for the guidance, SB!). I will be diving warm water with AL80s. Most often it's with just a rash guard, occasionally with a 3mm shorty. I have the Deep 6 Eddy fins, so pretty much neutral there. In the standard rental gear set up I usually took 8lbs of weight. I don't carry any lights, tools, cameras for now....so it's a very basic setup. Needless to say I'd rather avoid dropping needless $ on weight pockets i won't use.

So my question is breaks down 2 ways:
a) Based on the above am I likely to need weights? I know I'll need less than with the jacket setup....but the estimators seem to be a bit all over the road when it comes to how much. (see below for what i've calculated given the best of my newbie abilities)

b) If i forgo the pockets for this trip, and end up needing a few pounds can I just strap the to the tank bands as a short term solution?

Here is what I have managed to come up with:

Aluminum backplate w/ just rash guard:
Start of dive: -2 (tank), -2 (regs), -3 plate= negative 7
bottom: neutral (tank), -2 (regs), -3 plate=negative 5
End of dive: +4 (tank), -2 (regs), -3 (plate)=negative 1

I'd be grateful for any input from the community on this....

 

[tbone1004]

a) you will need weight with an al backplate. With SS it is unlikely that you would have needed any. If you used 8lbs with a jacket, you'll probably use 4-6 with the backplate depending on what kind of jacket it was

b) with that little weight I'd just use a weight belt

 

[JohnN]

OK, let's start by saying I know this is going to be a hard question to answer given the number of variables. But I'm leaving in 10 days for a two week dive trip and if the answer is a resounding "yes, you idiot buy them" I still have time to order them. So with that in mind....here's my situation:

Just bought a basic bp/w with an aluminum plate (Thanks for the guidance, SB!). I will be diving warm water with AL80s. Most often it's with just a rash guard, occasionally with a 3mm shorty. I have the Deep 6 Eddy fins, so pretty much neutral there. In the standard rental gear set up I usually took 8lbs of weight. I don't carry any lights, tools, cameras for now....so it's a very basic setup. Needless to say I'd rather avoid dropping needless $ on weight pockets i won't use.

So my question is breaks down 2 ways:
a) Based on the above am I likely to need weights? I know I'll need less than with the jacket setup....but the estimators seem to be a bit all over the road when it comes to how much. (see below for what i've calculated given the best of my newbie abilities)

b) If i forgo the pockets for this trip, and end up needing a few pounds can I just strap the to the tank bands as a short term solution?

Here is what I have managed to come up with:

Aluminum backplate w/ just rash guard:
Start of dive: -2 (tank), -2 (regs), -3 plate= negative 7
bottom: neutral (tank), -2 (regs), -3 plate=negative 5
End of dive: +4 (tank), -2 (regs), -3 (plate)=negative 1

I'd be grateful for any input from the community on this....

Yes, you could put some weights on the top cam-bands. Pockets would be nicer, but only for an ease-of-use reason.

there is nothing that precludes you from using a weight belt with your BP/W. Inside or outside the harness will likely generate another long thread. I would use the easy button and do this until you get your weighing sorted

 

[2airishuman]

Lead? Who knows, no way to tell for sure without doing it.

I dive a BP&W. When I need lead, I use a rubber weight belt. On most dives I need at least some lead, but then again I don't dive with less than a 3/2 wetsuit.

 

[Doby45]

I would buy cam band pockets now.

These are awesome and small.

DGX Gears Trim Weight Pocket (each)

I just used the almost exact same setup while in St. Martin but I had a SS backplate. 2 x 2lb weights in those pockets on top cam band, rashguard and shorts, booties and Deep 6 Eddy fins. It was perfect..

 

[billt4sf]

If you really only have 25 - 50 dives I would suggest you have ditchable weight (in case you get to the surface and have problems). Cam band weight are not ditchable. A weight belt is, if you put in on after your harness. I like the stretchable ones that free divers use.

- Bill

 

[tbone1004]

the rubber belt mentioned on here is sold by @MAKO Spearguns
Freedive Weight Belt | MAKO Spearguns

I don't really ever have to dive with lead because I use a SS backplate, but if I do, I just go with a weight belt. Especially for as little weight as you are going to need, it isn't worth the cost/potential hassle of dealing with pockets. I don't believe in mm precision trim because your body and rig is dynamic. 8lbs on your waist isn't going to be that big of a deal and the ease of use with a belt can't be beat. If you were diving with 20lbs of lead it would be a different story, but not with 8

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

I have these on my BP/W.
XS-Scuba Quick-Release Single Weight Pocket
They work fine, I also picked up some cheap cell phone holders that work Perfect! The cell phone holders have a Delrin belt clip with a tab that prevents the clip from coming off the belt. I think I paid $5 each and they hold a 2 or 3 pound weight snug enough the flap is really not needed. They are also easy to move from trim weights to belt if needed.

Good luck,
Jay

 

[DustyC]

The only way to know is you dive. I dive an AL backplate with no weight at all in freshwater. Even in a full 3mil. Even in a drysuit with a steel 120. Salt, I need to add a few pounds. Cam band pockets are easily switchable, just put them on your belt. I do agree that you should have some ditchable weight early on.

 

[decompression]

As mentioned pockets would be useful, really like the XS ones. Or, just thread the weights on your waist belt......or bring a couple of bungee loops to attach the weights quickly and easily.