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I bought a weight integrated bcd when I was a beginner, but never used the system, always preferred a weightbelt. I still use a weightbelt on my backplate-wing. I need 3kg v-weight and in winter another 2-4kg on a weightbelt with a twin12 steel and drysuit in cold water.
I use a SS B/P a weight belt, and weight pockets (non-integrated) on my harness belt. I spread my weight out and use what works for me. With my STL 96 I just use the B/P and weight pockets, with my STL 50's and STL72's I use all three, and with a dry suit I add a harness to my weight belt and 1/2lb ankle weights to get my boots neutral.
Warm water: all weights in the cam band pockets on my bp/w
Cold water: weights in the cam band plus added integrated/ditchable weights on the harness - harness weight pockets are removed for warm diving, unless I feel like using them to carry stuff that doesn't attach well to D rings. I don't dive a dry suit so haven't had to address that aspect of weighting yet.
I've used jacket BCDs with the integrated weight system and they worked well but I hate the puffy poodle feeling and how restrictive jackets are in general.
I've used weight belts but end up with really bad bruises on my hip bones - I suck it up for freediving but want to be as comfortable as possible for scuba.
Warm water: all weights in the cam band pockets on my bp/w
Cold water: weights in the cam band plus added integrated/ditchable weights on the harness - harness weight pockets are removed for warm diving, unless I feel like using them to carry stuff that doesn't attach well to D rings. I don't dive a dry suit so haven't had to address that aspect of weighting yet.
I've used jacket BCDs with the integrated weight system and they worked well but I hate the puffy poodle feeling and how restrictive jackets are in general.
I've used weight belts but end up with really bad bruises on my hip bones - I suck it up for freediving but want to be as comfortable as possible for scuba.
The soft weights are a lot more comfortable but I still tend to end up with sore spots from the pressure/weight (I have boney hips). Maybe I just need to do a custom setup with lots of little pouches so the weight is more evenly distributed all the way around instead of concentrated in a few places.
I use a bit of both. Some weights integrated in the BCD and some on my belt. Not enough weight on my belt to be negatively bouyant without the BCD. Also use a steel tank which reduces the amount of lead I have to carry.
I have two Halcyon trim weight pockets on my upper cam band and either two on my waist belt or one plus the weighted bellows pocket. For the amount of weight I need in 3mm or 5mm suits, I find the ACB pockets to be unnecessarily bulky. I might change my mind with the new Deep 6 7mm suit.
I prefer "integrated" as in the dive-rite or other brand addon pouches. The belt feels like an unnecessary complication. I replace my pouches every 5 years so I don't end up losing a pouch. That's a whole lot easier to swallow than replacing a $500+ bcd for the same reason.
If I am diving local salt water I just wear a steel plate and no lead at all - that's the bestest.
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