As with many of the newbie ( i am not a DIR by a long shot) looking to get their first gear, the choice is overwhelming (especially in the BC market). The main reason that attracted me to purchase the Halcyon bp/wing system is it's modularity that leads to a BC system that will grow with my diving.
So i decided to purchase the Halcyon Pioneer 27 lbs wing with 6 lbs stainless steel Plate and ACB 10 lbs weight system without even actually seeing one in real life before.
-- My Profile --
I have only experience with Zeagle Concept Pro II BC , used in my OW class and check out dives and i just got certified few months ago
-- First Dive Report --
As soon as i was underwater, gone were the once body tight hugging cumberband and cluttered of the Zeagle Concept II Pro BC. I also have a fuller range of motion for both of my arms and torso.
The tank doesnt even move a nudge on my back regardless of the movement of my body.
MOST OF ALL, THE BC SEEMS TO DISSAPEAR ON MY BACK !! It's so streamline, even with my huge Console running across my chest to the right sholder D-Ring and the two HUGE ACB weight system, I seem and feel to be MORE AERODYNAMIC and MOVE FASTER underwater. No more restrictive movement and drag causing clutterness on my body.
CONCLUSION: If Divers forgone their Jacket or Vest style BC for the Freedom of a back Inflate BC, then Divers should exclude their back inflate BC and go with the Freedom and Streamlining of a BP/Wing.
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CONs
- can be frustrated to setup and adjust all the harness. Especially if you do not have an experience person to help you out initially.
- harness can be harsh to bare skin, Tropical divers wear at least a rash guard or get shoulder padding from OMS. ALso i do not want to imagine the abrasion on the thigh with the croutch strap.
- If you plan to use an ordinary console computer, you might have to find creative ways to attach it to the BC. Right now i have a retractable for my Datamax Pro Plus 2 attached to right shoulder D-Ring and this is not recommended and will spoil the streamlining of the Halcyon
- If you plan to dive with different setup ( 3/2 mm, 5 mm , 6mm suits or whatever... ) adjusting the harness for each fit is FRUSTRATING.
- If you need to dump air, you have to find the button or the pull string below the BC. because there is no pull dump
- ACB weight system is EXPENSIVE ! wearing a weight belt might defy the purpose of the "clean" design of the BC
- You might need to spend more $$ to get snap bolts , d-rings, pouch ...etc, for your lights , cameras ...etc.
PROs
- there is no pull dump (this can be a pro and cons for some people). Pro is there will no failure point or leak point.
- Everything is customizable on the BC, you can add as many accesories like D-rings to suit you each INDIVIDUAL UNIQUE NEED
- Modularity, the BC will grow with you and your diving.
- Streamlining - you will not feel that you are actually wearing a BC. As you become more stramline your movement is also a bit faster underwater.
- Freedom of movement , the clean design coupled with uncluttered front, helps me breath easier and gave me many range of movement. Even with the huge ACB weighting system.
- Certainly weight less than the Zeagle BC.
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Verdict: Despite its cons, i do not regret my purchase of the Halcyon Pioneer 27 lbs BP/WING system. The Freedom and unclutterness of the BC is worth the admission price itself.
If you are in market for a BC, take the BP/WING Challenge, if not just for the fun of trying something different
... i will keep on posting as i have more dive time with the BC
So i decided to purchase the Halcyon Pioneer 27 lbs wing with 6 lbs stainless steel Plate and ACB 10 lbs weight system without even actually seeing one in real life before.
-- My Profile --
I have only experience with Zeagle Concept Pro II BC , used in my OW class and check out dives and i just got certified few months ago
-- First Dive Report --
As soon as i was underwater, gone were the once body tight hugging cumberband and cluttered of the Zeagle Concept II Pro BC. I also have a fuller range of motion for both of my arms and torso.
The tank doesnt even move a nudge on my back regardless of the movement of my body.
MOST OF ALL, THE BC SEEMS TO DISSAPEAR ON MY BACK !! It's so streamline, even with my huge Console running across my chest to the right sholder D-Ring and the two HUGE ACB weight system, I seem and feel to be MORE AERODYNAMIC and MOVE FASTER underwater. No more restrictive movement and drag causing clutterness on my body.
CONCLUSION: If Divers forgone their Jacket or Vest style BC for the Freedom of a back Inflate BC, then Divers should exclude their back inflate BC and go with the Freedom and Streamlining of a BP/Wing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONs
- can be frustrated to setup and adjust all the harness. Especially if you do not have an experience person to help you out initially.
- harness can be harsh to bare skin, Tropical divers wear at least a rash guard or get shoulder padding from OMS. ALso i do not want to imagine the abrasion on the thigh with the croutch strap.
- If you plan to use an ordinary console computer, you might have to find creative ways to attach it to the BC. Right now i have a retractable for my Datamax Pro Plus 2 attached to right shoulder D-Ring and this is not recommended and will spoil the streamlining of the Halcyon
- If you plan to dive with different setup ( 3/2 mm, 5 mm , 6mm suits or whatever... ) adjusting the harness for each fit is FRUSTRATING.
- If you need to dump air, you have to find the button or the pull string below the BC. because there is no pull dump
- ACB weight system is EXPENSIVE ! wearing a weight belt might defy the purpose of the "clean" design of the BC
- You might need to spend more $$ to get snap bolts , d-rings, pouch ...etc, for your lights , cameras ...etc.
PROs
- there is no pull dump (this can be a pro and cons for some people). Pro is there will no failure point or leak point.
- Everything is customizable on the BC, you can add as many accesories like D-rings to suit you each INDIVIDUAL UNIQUE NEED
- Modularity, the BC will grow with you and your diving.
- Streamlining - you will not feel that you are actually wearing a BC. As you become more stramline your movement is also a bit faster underwater.
- Freedom of movement , the clean design coupled with uncluttered front, helps me breath easier and gave me many range of movement. Even with the huge ACB weighting system.
- Certainly weight less than the Zeagle BC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verdict: Despite its cons, i do not regret my purchase of the Halcyon Pioneer 27 lbs BP/WING system. The Freedom and unclutterness of the BC is worth the admission price itself.
If you are in market for a BC, take the BP/WING Challenge, if not just for the fun of trying something different
... i will keep on posting as i have more dive time with the BC