Halcyon Backplate and wing

[Julian55]

well thanks for all the info, sounds like a DSS backplate will be good for what I do, I hear what alot of you are saying about the LDS I go to, but it seems to me they are all like that, they push and preach what they sell. I have found it to be that way for all 4 of the shops that I have visited this year.

Julian

 

[jeckyll]

Julian55: There aren't that many local shops that sell BP/W systems. Take a bit of time and check out what your local alternatives are, compare prices and see who you like to buy from.

IDC (where I'm assuming you're looking at the H stuff), The Edge in north Van and Oceanquest in Burnaby are the ones that come to my mind.

Once you've looked around, make your decision

 

[John_B]

John_B, the ressistance of OxyCheq Exterme series wing seems not to be so funny for wreck divers I know.

vioch, I think you missed my intent.

The wing isn't funny, the thought of some underwater thug unsuccessfully trying to puncture Mike Nelson's wing is what's funny!

C'mon guys, a little levity please?

 

[SCU5]

The Halcyon kit is more expensive but you should consider that you do get more:

- STA with Stainless Steel camstraps and (for $25 extra) a 6lb removable weight for those who use a single w/ drysuits or thick wetsuits.
- MC Storage pack to store SMB's or liftbags. I love this as it lets me keep a larger smb for those, 'holy crap, the current's stronger than we thought' dives.
- I can't comment on DSS but compared to some other setups I've owned/tried/seen the fit and finish of all the pieces from the buckle to the bent d-rings to the sweet, smooth slots on the backplate are a notch above.

 

[mikeguerrero]

I purchased the Halcyon Eclipse 30lbs wing with steel plate and MC storage pack; also got the STA with Stainless Steel camstraps. I opted not to get the additional 6lb removable weight.

I dove the Apeks WTXharness with steelplate and 12 lbs of integrated weight. This was more than enough to bring me down with my thick 7mil suit and remarkably enough to bring me down when I changed to drysuit.

So I figured 18 lbs is what I dive with my HP100 steels and can get down to 100 feet and back up with a 10 ft safety stop.

So when I sold my Apeks and went shopping for the Halcyon I knew I had to mimic the amount of weight I had before.

Halcyon plate is roughly the same weight as the Apeks plate; 6 lbs. Then instead of going integrated weights as I did with my Apeks WTX harness I opted to get a standard nylon belt and drive my 12 lbs of hard lead through it.

This approach is far more streamline than I was before. Now I haven't dove my Halcyon backplate with wings yet since my Eclipse cell comes in Friday and my boat dive is Saturday.

I'm just hoping I don't need that additional 6 lb weight on my STA, I saw it at the LDS and boy is it heavy.

I do hope the far less material that the Halcyon has over the Apeks WTX harness clearly allows me to descend with the 18 lbs I plan to dive with.

MG

 

[grumpymedic]

Online Dive Shop by Island Divers Hawaii

$595 and if you order soon you can get the weight pockets for free and a doubles wing for only $99 more. I have a rig from both DSS and Halcyon and both are excellent quality.

 

[mts0628]

I bought a BP/W last year after snooping around here for some good ideas. I actually called Extreme Exposure (for Halcyon) and spoke with Paul, and then called DSS and spoke with Tobin. Both people treated me well, didn't try to sell me anything, but moreso helped me figure out more what I needed than what I wanted; I actually BS'd more with Paul and Tobin asked me more questions than I asked him. But after everything, I want with DSS and I couldn't be happier. It was merely a matter of economics for me. Had I had more money at the time, I probably would have went with Halcyon- unless I demoed a DSS beforehand, then I would have gotten a DSS BP/W anyway. ) Again just me. I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Thomas

 

[mikeguerrero]

I have since dove my Halcyon Eclipse 30lb wing and coudn't be more happy. I was right, all I needed was my 12lb lead weight belt, two three pound weights on each side, makes for a nice balance.

I dive the DUI CLX450 with Polartec 300g fleece, that is a very heavy and bulky suit. No problem on descent nor ascent, even my 10 foot safety stop is fine.

Halcyon is expensive but all my equipment is just flawless and that makes me more secure in the ocean where I dive, Monterey can become wicked when the surge and wind kicks in.

I feel very streamline and feel the equipment will not fail me when I most need it, plus the Halcyon just looks bitchen, cool fresh look to it.

I feel I drive a BMW underwater even though I drive a Honda on land...

MG

 

[rongoodman]

DSS and Oxycheq are some of the top quality and streamline gear you can get for a cheaper price..unless you are doing DIR compliant diving then the H brand doesnt really matters..

They're all DIR compliant, the brand name is irrelevant. That being said, I started off with Halcyon because that's what I came across first as a new diver, and I don't regret it. I also have gear from Salvo and Oxycheq. There are small differences, but it's all good.

 

[Hollywoodivers]

We sell all of these brands....Dive Rite is one I have not seen mentioned here. They have two new wings that are applicable. Deep outdoors also sells backplate and wing systems. Highland Mills is another brand that is coming up for the backplate. Sounds like you already got one. Would your shop let you try it in a pool and then decide ? There is an angle for you to try.