16 replies to this topic

[Blublood]

This last trip to Key largo I lost two weight pouches one each on different sides. They both came out on my left side. I am diving a seaquest pro qd plus with the sure lock weight system. I was just wondering if anybody was familiar with this system and has had any such problems?

[Bubble2Bubble]

Gar
I have one of those BC that has quick release weights. but to be honest i store about four LBS in the zipper locked pouch's and have the tried and true weight belt for most of my ballest. i always thought if i had to dump my weight in a hurry i would have to buy the quick release pouchs again to replace the one's i dumped. where i live that would be a hassel.


Mike

[Narwhal]

Those sure-lock weight pockets seem to have been misnamed. And I was considering a Pro QD for an instructional BC.. I think I'd better have another look. I know the Aqualung rep pretty well. I'll ask him if he has any complaints similar to yours. According to a blurb I received from DAN awhile back, one of the causes of accidents involving rapid ascent that they mentioned was quick-release weight pockets accidently releasing. This year's line of BCs from most manufacturers seem to have buckles or some way of making them harder to get rid of. Maybe we are heading back to weight belts. Hmmmmm, I used them for forty years before I went weight integrated--maybe I was wrong to switch.

[Diverbrian]

I use a ProQD+ as one of two primary rigs. Mine was bought before the sure-lock system came about so it uses velcro. I lost weight pouches on a couple of occasions until I started to put more weight into my "non-ditch" weight pockets in the back of the BC to minimize what I put into the front pockets. The fact of the matter is that with the velcro, if the weight pockets get too thick (are holding too much lead) they will not secure as well as they should and will tend to come out. Now, I don't carry more than eight pounds in each ditchable weight pocket as a general rule of thumb. Maybe, it's superstition but I haven't lost a pouch since . Maybe the sure-locks have a similar issue with how much weight that the snap will take before it gives. Just my two psi worth.

[Walter]

Personally, I prefer a weight belt. There's nothing about weight integrated I find desirable.

[chinacat46]

I'm with you on that Walter. A weight belt lets you keep the weight closer to your body and distribute, also easier to hand up to somebody in a boat. It might take two steps but both steps are lighter and easier to do then giving them a weight integrated BC. My two PSI worth.

- Chuck

[warren_l]

I've stopped using my weight pouches altogether as the velcro has been coming off and loosening. I suppose I could get the fixed, but I've basically been using the trim pockets and a little weight in my front zippered pockets. But I do hold about half my weight on a belt (thus ditchable) as well as using steel tanks. Works great.

[Diverlady]

Personally, I prefer a weight belt.  There's nothing about weight integrated I find desirable.

I use a weightbelt instead of my integrated weight system too.

Of course my belt is PINK which makes it all the better!!

Diverlady

[WreckWench]

I think Brian is right...there seems to be a weight limit before you run into issues with losing your lead...how much were you carrying in the pouches?

I also find that in my bc the weight pockets are right next to my gear pockets and due to all the rubber I wear to stay warm...I use more lead then most. As a result it is hard to get to my gear.

I'm looking at a dry suit which means more lead and I think I'll go back to a belt so I can free up my pockets for more goodies that I don't want dangling off my bc. No pressure even modified his weight pockets to create additional gear holding pockets and I think the idea is great!

However I might also add some pockets to the back of the bc to hold some lead as well!

[DandyDon]

I saw Gar's pouches, and they came lose much too easily - much easier than my new Oceanic Probe BC. I know I carry too much stuff when I board a boat, but I was glad that I had an XS Scuba weigth belt to loan him. I think he told me that his LDS was going to take care of the loses well, too, which is good news.

Most dive operators will furnish web belts for those who want them, but I don't think I've ever seen any furnished with Keepers. The little half twist on each weight doesn't work well, either. If there's any chance that you may ever find yourself using a web belt, I hope you're carrying some keepers in your bag...

don

[Walter]

Weight integrated BCs are often difficult to rerig after you've dumped weights. They are often difficult to dump weights. They are difficult to switch tanks unless you remove the weights first, so you either have to put up with them being a PITA while switching tanks or before & after switching tanks. I'll stick with a belt.

[jeadiver]

I've never seemed to have a problem with this, although I rarely use a bunch weight in the ditchable pockets. One of the things I learned when I was having problems wth a cummerbun once was that the Velcro closure can quickly become dirty with sand and other crud. Once I cleaned both sides out with an old toothbrush it held much better.

Edited by jeadiver, 07 April 2004 - 08:28 AM.

[DiverDoug]

I have been using a SeaQuest Pro QD since it first came on the market. Never had a problem losing a weight pocket nor any trouble changing tanks. Love the weight integration because the back pockets help me adjust my trim to stay horizontal in the water. A weight belt makes it too easy to stay vertical.

For those who carry a lot of weight to offset rubber, I have suggested to several students and dive buddies adding some of their weight to the tank band. It's the same two inch webbing. It keeps it off your hips and helps again with your trim.

Just my $0.02.

[tenhigh]

I'm with DiverDoug. I also have an original ProQD and have never lost a weight pouch. I really dislike weight belts and haven't worn one since I bought my own gear. I like just about everything about the weight integrated system but especially the way I can adjust my horizontal trim. The one negative is that the wt. pouches take up room in my BC pockets. I had to remove a pouch underwater recently on a trip in Key Largo to get my flashlight out. Not a problem though to take it out and replace it during a dive.

[Blublood]

Appreciate all the good input. Especially the part tenhigh mentioned about having to take his weight pouch out to get at his flashlight. I was taking my camera in and out of the pocket on the side where I lost the two pouches. I was thinking maybe this contributed by forcing the pouch forward. The pockets kind of sit back a ways and are not the easiest things to get in and out of. I mentioned this to my LDS where I purchased the BC and they said they didnt believe this caused it. Most of the instructors there dive similar BC's and none have ever had a problem. We called the manufacture and ran thru their tests and all seemed to work fine. even so SeaQuest sent me a brand new BC and an extra weight pouch for the one I lost so I was pretty happy at their response. If it happens again I'm dumping them and going back to a weight belt. Thanks again.