diver371:
i started another thread realising that i didnt really need to .. and i wrote that quick reply as well realising that i should have read above.. so what exactly is a BP/Wing set? why is it different from a standard BCD? the only bp/wing set i can get here is the Halcyon. is Halcyon a good name in diving? anyone own one?
do i need to dive with a different regulator etc.. when i use a BP/Wing?
btw thanks a lot for this info guys..
Jalal
I don't like the hub system for a number of reasons, several of which have been posted others which haven't.
1. First of all I don't like the air trim system. While it is a good design, it is not what most divers are used to, in an emergency situation when I needed to deflate my B.C. that is not where I would reach. However if you are a brand new diver you might not find it as ackward. To me it is the equivalent of a car with the breaks located on the turnsignal.
2. I don't like the idea of having everything all in one. If you want to get a new BC you need to get a new reg, and vice versa. I have a TV/VCR combo like this. The VCR went out, now I have a VCR combo sitting ontop of another VCR.
3. Because they are a bit of a novelty, should you have a gear problem on a dive trip it is unlikely you will be able to find some one with spare parts, or who knows how to fix the HUB.
4. As previously mentioned, the regulator set up worries me first of all connecting primary and back up regs is just stupid. I have not read specs reguarding this, but it seems like the 2 regs comming off of one LP hose could create an issue with sufficent flow if sharing air at depth. (if someone knows more details on the specs of the reg please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken here). Second the octo is not located in a "normal location".
You mentioned an interest in tec diving. Definatly avoid the HUB. It is completely wrong for this type of diving.
My preferece is to the Dive Rite Trans Pac.
http://www.dive-rite.com/products/bcd/transpac.htm It is much more comfortable than the metal back plates (However you do lose the weight of the plate- if you are diving warm water this is a little less of a concern since you don't have thick wet suit or dry suit buoyancy to offset). Prior to purchasing my harness and wings, I tried a variety of different harnesses and various webbing configurations, but all were quite uncomfortable, the trans pac is more comfortable than my recreational gear. They (Dive Rite) also offer a wide range of bladders to accomidate different gear configurations (most companies do this). Other manufacturers I would recomend include OMS
http://www.omsdive.com/index.html Halcyon is also a good company.
For regulators, I like SCUBAPRO. MK18/G250 is a relatively inexpensive model. You can't go wrong with APEX regs either, but they are considerably more expensive. Dive Rite also makes some decent regs. If you want to get in to tech diving I would avoid Mares, I have a proton which I now only use in the pool due to problems with free flows at depth. If you are diving cold water I would also avoid Oceanic Regs, they are great regs in warm water, but I had 2 students free flow Oceanics on the same dive in cold water.
Hope this information helps.
Polly
