GUE Prospect

[RTC'83]

(Posted here, DIR sub forum did not allow me to post there, Mods feel free to change to the appropriate forum)

I have been in contact with a GUE instructor in my area, and standing by for the next Fundies class.
I am purely a recreational diver, but would like to better my diving skills. I like the idea of going back to the basics with buoyancy, trim and propulsion.

The instructor has all the equipment that I would need for the class. I have done as much looking into GUE as I can. One of the reviews I was reading on a different forum the OP was looking for input on his equipment choice (within GUE guidelines). He was looking into a DGX basic Hogarthian package that he could afford. I was kind of taken back because a couple of the responses said he needed to buy Halcyon set up.

As mentioned earlier, I do not need to purchase equipment for my training, but if I decide to do so in the future is this what I should expect? Meaning only X brand allowed.

 

[Dogbowl]

(Posted here, DIR sub forum did not allow me to post there, Mods feel free to change to the appropriate forum)

I have been in contact with a GUE instructor in my area, and standing by for the next Fundies class.
I am purely a recreational diver, but would like to better my diving skills. I like the idea of going back to the basics with buoyancy, trim and propulsion.

The instructor has all the equipment that I would need for the class. I have done as much looking into GUE as I can. One of the reviews I was reading on a different forum the OP was looking for input on his equipment choice (within GUE guidelines). He was looking into a DGX basic Hogarthian package that he could afford. I was kind of taken back because a couple of the responses said he needed to buy Halcyon set up.

As mentioned earlier, I do not need to purchase equipment for my training, but if I decide to do so in the future is this what I should expect? Meaning only X brand allowed.

Absolutely not. Halcyon is preferred because instructors KNOW they will be compliant. Otherwise, compliance will be based on a piece by piece basis. That is, the instructor will need to check it out first.

For transparency, I’m only a student.

 

[rongoodman]

Equipment Configuration

Halcyon gear is pictured, but certainly not required. Since Halcyon got it's start providing gear suitable for GUE projects and instruction it's only reasonable that it's popular in the community. (I'm still happily using the Eclipse I got 12 years ago following my OW class and I'm not even a GUE diver.)

 

[EireDiver606]

Halcyon is the best but to answer your question, no. There are many other brands which are good. I suggest if someone tells you this, ignore them.

 

[Lorenzoid]

You have to “join” the DIR forum to post there. The opt-in can be found in your user control panel.

Ditto what others have said. Halcyon is nice gear, but any plain old BP/W usually meets requirements. A plate is a plate. The harness hardware is pretty standard, too. The major thing to look out for with the wing is that it should not have bungees, and fortunately most do not. I have heard of some wings with a corrugated hose that is unusually long get criticized during the Fundies gear check-over, but even then, I suspect it would be good enough for class. I haven’t taken a close look at the DGX package, but I would be willing to bet it totally passes muster.

 

[happy-diver]

Imagine if you put all the misinformed people in a big barrel
rolled it around, wonder how many if any would end up here

The best is when someone is smart enough and invents backplates
for all our sizes, also incorporating varying removable weight plates.

 

[JohnnyC]

OP, you'd be fine with the basic DGX package. People get in trouble when they think that more d-rings and quick releases and padding means better.

You don't need Halcyon. I don't like their plates. Their webbing is probably the nicest on the market though. It's worth putting H webbing on any plate you pick up.

Their wings are fine, I like their corrugated hoses over a lot of other manufacturers. Their warranty is great, which is one of the reasons they are more expensive, because they actually have a service department on par with Shearwater. I don't like their horseshoe wings for doubles, but I like their donut wings. There are plenty of manufacturers that make suitable wings. I have a Halcyon 60lb for 8" steels, a Halcyon JJ wing for my SF2, an Oxycheq 42lb for AL80 doubles and my Pelagian, and an Oxycheq 18lb for single tank recreational diving. I don't have a DSS or a VDH or a Deep6 only because I don't have a hole to fill. I had a 30lb Halcyon single tank wing but I gave it away. I like my 18lb Oxycheq better because it suits the type of single tank diving I do. Any of them would be suitable for Fundies depending on whether you're doing it in a single or doubles, small twins or large.

People recommend Halcyon because it's a known approved configuration. Doesn't mean you HAVE to buy Halcyon. People who say otherwise are either misinformed, or they're trolling just to denigrate GUE.

 

[Degenerate]

I recently did a fundies class, none of my gear was Halcyon but all of it was compliant.
You absolutely do not need Halcyon gear to tick all the boxes on the gear requirements, just get what works for you as long as it fits the bill.
Your instructor won't strangle you for having a different brand than Halcyon, and anyone saying your gear needs to have the Halcyon logo on it is an idiot.

 

[RTC'83]

Thank you'll.

 

[Jack Hammer]

There is quite a bit of misinformation online. Little to none of my gear was Halcyon or on the "standard internet approved list". Yet all of it was still fine with GUE and I still somehow managed to pass all my classes.