DR Basic vs. Deluxe Harness

[prandyulo]

I just came back from 6 days of diving using my newly installed HOG harness and I have to confess that I am happy with it after using a jacket. I installed a thin neoprene hose over the shoulder harness and inserted a strip of 3 mm neoprene inside. My sensitive skin where the shoulder harness rests tend to get rubbed inside my 1.5 mm wetsuit during dives.

 

[CamG]

Greetings Hebron and I have experience with both harnesses. I have to say that both are quite nice and I have had little to no issues with them. The chest strap is an option that it really is up to the user. I am not a big fan of the quick disconnect on the Transpac or Transplate though I have used them as well. Failure points are something I try to minimize in all of my gear configurations and simple is really better. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask or just PM me. I just ran across a crazy deal on Dive Gear Express on the basic harness and stainless steel or AL back plate. If interested check it out. I hope this helps but as I said just ask specifics if you like.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[RJP]

Deluxe worth the extra buck , more comfy?

No and no.

I found the Delux harness much LESS comfortable. The quick-release always sat on my collar bone no matter what I did. You have much less freedom to adjust the harness and where various D-ring's are located because the placement of the various (superfluous) chest straps and such always seemed to be in exactly the wrong spot.

 

[tstormdiver]

I have used a regular harness & now use the deluxe harness on my BP/W set- up. I went to this harness because I basically have shoulders that will not hold straps (I can't even keep purse straps on my shoulders). When my tech instructor was seeing my problems he basically told me," as much as I hate quick disconnects (chest strap), YOU really need one." I ordered one & can say that it really helps me in my situation. The biggest issue, as mentioned before is the strap sits right in the same area as my drysuit inflator. When I don the harness, I now determine whether the chest strap is going to sit mostly above or below the inflator & rout the strap around the inflator, using the hose & connector to hold the strap in its place.

 

[Scott L]

Halcyon's new cinch system would seem to satisfy the purist (hog folks) and those that seek easier donning and doffing. I just had one of my H rigs retrofitted with the new system as I must doff my equipment in water before boarding private boat (don't ask why ). I am still getting used to but it seems tgo be an engineering marvel which should set them apart from other manufacturers of BP/wings futher still IMO.

 

[Tank601]

Halcyon's new cinch system would seem to satisfy the purist (hog folks) and those that seek easier donning and doffing. I just had one of my H rigs retrofitted with the new system as I must doff my equipment in water before boarding private boat (don't ask why ). I am still getting used to but it seems tgo be an engineering marvel which should set them apart from other manufacturers of BP/wings futher still IMO.

The cinch looks pretty interesting but where can you buy a Halcyon rig for $375? Cost is an issue for me. I guess the basic strap would be best but I wonder how hard it is to doff your rig in the water?

 

[Scott L]

The cinch looks pretty interesting but where can you buy a Halcyon rig for $375? Cost is an issue for me. I guess the basic strap would be best but I wonder how hard it is to doff your rig in the water?

I would recomend keeping an eye on Extreme Exposure's (Halcyon's retail shop) web-site for clearance specials on their BCD componets and build the rig through the acquistion of blemished articles which you proabaly will not be able to differentiate from the same equipment on their shelves. I am always of the opionion to buy the best whether that entails waiting a month or two in order to fund. I would also recomend calling them as they do not always have time to keep the clearence items properly listed. Good luck!

Extreme Exposure - Home | Extreme Exposure

 

[Scott L]

The cinch looks pretty interesting but where can you buy a Halcyon rig for $375? Cost is an issue for me. I guess the basic strap would be best but I wonder how hard it is to doff your rig in the water?

I am a bigger guy and it took a bit of getting used to in the beginning but either doff by snagging shoulder d-rings with thumbs using the chicken wing method and slip-off or keeping reg in mouth reach behind you with both arms and hands grabbing the sides of the plate and flip directly over your head. By all means keep your fins on during the process...

 

[RJP]

I would recomend keeping an eye on Extreme Exposure's (Halcyon's retail shop) web-site for clearance specials on their BCD componets

As well, keep on eye on the SB Classified Board, as complete Halcyon BP/W rigs and bits and pieces appear there regularly.

 

[halocline]

I started with that dive rite deluxe harness, used it for about a month, then switched to a simple webbing harness and have not looked back. It's much more comfortable under water and easier to get in and out of, once it's adjusted right and you learn how to do it. I'd be happy to give you my old DR deluxe harness, but I raided it for hardware a long time ago. There are still a few scraps of that softer webbing in my closet some place.

Start with the simple webbing harness; it's cheaper ant chances are you'll end up that way anyhow. If you hate it you're out about $20, and I'm sure you'd find someone interested in buying it for that. You don't need to buy the dive rite standard harness, you can get good webbing and hardware at reefscuba.com, or scubatoys, or NESS, or caveadventurers, or any number of other places.