Hello All, I'm relatively new to the forum, at least posting anything. I've been looking at equipment, and I'm thinking the first piece of equipment I'll buy is a backplate and wings with webbing. I'm wondering which to get, I suspect I'll be buying online to save $ so I need to know specifically which of each to buy so that it all fits and works right. I'm in california, and will be diving with a 5mm wetsuit. I weigh 165lbs and I'm 5'8". Any recommendations would be appreciated, unfortunately LDS isn't an option, the local shop here is pretty lame that sells Halcyon gear, they're way to lax for my taste. Looking forward to your replies.
-Kev
dsgobie
March 31st, 2003, 01:25 AM
kdemarest once bubbled...
Hello All, I'm relatively new to the forum, at least posting anything. I've been looking at equipment, and I'm thinking the first piece of equipment I'll buy is a backplate and wings with webbing. I'm wondering which to get, I suspect I'll be buying online to save $ so I need to know specifically which of each to buy so that it all fits and works right. I'm in california, and will be diving with a 5mm wetsuit. I weigh 165lbs and I'm 5'8". Any recommendations would be appreciated, unfortunately LDS isn't an option, the local shop here is pretty lame that sells Halcyon gear, they're way to lax for my taste. Looking forward to your replies.
-Kev
What are you diving? Singles, duals? AL Steel??
Need some more info to go on.:)
kdemarest
March 31st, 2003, 02:23 AM
Let's see singles initially, I will rent equipment (such as tanks) for a bit, I just want to start buying equip. slowly and I thought to start with backplate wings, seemed like the center point, and is the harder piece to rent.
Tanks can be either aluminum or steel. As far as weight, I suppose whatever is easiest. We might assume steel so that I won't need as much weight on my waist. When I rent, I'll just ask for steel tanks...unless you recommend something else of course :D
Ziggys_Friend
March 31st, 2003, 02:34 AM
kdemarest once bubbled...
Hello All, I'm relatively new to the forum, at least posting anything. I've been looking at equipment, and I'm thinking the first piece of equipment I'll buy is a backplate and wings with webbing. I'm wondering which to get, I suspect I'll be buying online to save $ so I need to know specifically which of each to buy so that it all fits and works right. I'm in california, and will be diving with a 5mm wetsuit. I weigh 165lbs and I'm 5'8". Any recommendations would be appreciated, unfortunately LDS isn't an option, the local shop here is pretty lame that sells Halcyon gear, they're way to lax for my taste. Looking forward to your replies.
-Kev
I just purchased a Halcyon Pioneer SS BP and 36lb Wing combination and I'm thrilled! (Just got back from a DIR/F course this weekend so I even have a clue how to fit it!). I dove the ocean with a wetsuit and LP95 and it was a great.
For my money, Halcyon is far and away the way to go. If you're not happy with your local LDS call Extreme Exposure or Fifth Dimension. If price is an issue (Halcyon has a very strict pricing policy as well), there is a guy on ebay who sells their stuff regularly and I have friends who've bought very happily from him.
If you want more thoughts/suggestions feel free to pm me.
~<//><
victoriawtx
April 1st, 2003, 11:13 PM
from Halcyon and I am also really thrilled with it. Everything is very well constructed, sturdy and of good quality.
boomx5
April 1st, 2003, 11:15 PM
What part of California are you in?
ERP
April 1st, 2003, 11:22 PM
FWIW I bought my Halcyin BP&Pioneer 36lb wing at Extreme Exposure, service was great.
kdemarest
April 1st, 2003, 11:39 PM
Thanks everybody for your replies, boomx5 I'm in Long Beach to answer your question.
I would buy from extreme exposure but I'm looking to save some $. I just figure, something as simplified as the BP and wing should be a lot cheaper than what halcyon retails their equipment for. I'm going to hold out to save some cash, but from everything I've read, and from my experience with recreational BC's, such as the Scubapro Knighthawk, I know there's a better answer, and I think that answer is the BP and wing.
At any rate, if I could get away with paying 300 for a bp and wing with harness I think I'd "dive" right in and get one, but > 500 seems a bit steep for me, especially considering how little I've gone diving since I got my cert.
Here's a question, is there any liability to getting a wing that has more lift than one without? Like, if my weight only requires a 36lb, would it hurt to get a 55lb? I'm just eyeing that ebay listing I posted earlier.
Thanks for all the replies you guys rock.
-Kevin
omar
April 2nd, 2003, 10:25 AM
I would get a Fred T backplate with rigging (they will all work fine) and a Halcyon wing. The Halcyon pioneer wings are far and away the best for single tanks.
omar
francr
April 6th, 2003, 12:30 AM
kdemarest, no need to increase your drag by buying a larger wing. You'll expel four times more energy by "dragging" a larger profile underwater. If you are going to dive single tanks, I suggest you get a Pioneer Wing and depending how much weight you want to wear on your waist, get SS or Alum backplates. Look in Ebay and you'll find some Halcyon stuff on there.
Arnaud
April 6th, 2003, 04:32 PM
I keep repeating myself but rushing into buying diving gear is not a good idea. If your wing's lift is more than needed, you will loose one of the benefits of the BP/W. So what's the point?
If you don't dive often, keep renting until you can afford the gear that best fits your needs.
Halcyon probably makes the best wings, more streamlined and more resistant than anything else I have seen. This seems to be the general opinion here, too.
Because of Halcyon's pricing policy, you won't find any major discounts on their stuff if you buy new, even on the internet (plus you'll have to pay for shipping).
You may want to try Reef Seekers (www.reefseekers.com) in Beverly Hills. You can also rent the BP from them to see if you like it.
detroit diver
April 6th, 2003, 09:17 PM
kdemarest once bubbled...
Thanks everybody for your replies, boomx5 I'm in Long Beach to answer your question.
I would buy from extreme exposure but I'm looking to save some $. I just figure, something as simplified as the BP and wing should be a lot cheaper than what halcyon retails their equipment for. I'm going to hold out to save some cash, but from everything I've read, and from my experience with recreational BC's, such as the Scubapro Knighthawk, I know there's a better answer, and I think that answer is the BP and wing.
At any rate, if I could get away with paying 300 for a bp and wing with harness I think I'd "dive" right in and get one, but > 500 seems a bit steep for me, especially considering how little I've gone diving since I got my cert.
Here's a question, is there any liability to getting a wing that has more lift than one without? Like, if my weight only requires a 36lb, would it hurt to get a 55lb? I'm just eyeing that ebay listing I posted earlier.
Thanks for all the replies you guys rock.
-Kevin
Kevin,
The 55lb wing is WAY too large for a singles setup. This poses more than one problem.
It will wrap around your tank instead of flaring out as it is designed, and
Because of the above, you will have all kinds of problems dumping air from it
I know you're trying to save some money- like the rest of us- but buying too large of a wing will not solve your problem because you will wind up having to purchase a Pioneer wings anyway.
Take your time and get used to the singles with a 27 or 36 lbs wing (I like the 36 better), and use the practice time to save up some money for doing a doubles setup later on. The wing will be the cheapest part of the setup!
Dive safe,
Jack
Oh yea-by all mean buy an inexpensive BP that will fit this wing. A Halcyon BP is nice, but very expensive. As mentioned above, FredT makes a very nice product that is reasonably priced. Make sure you don't get the "billy ring" d-rings though. They are squared off and make clipping off to them a real PITA.
