Traveler vs. Eclipse/Infinity series

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Jessmcquaid

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Been diving for years and ready to try a BP/W setup. Dove with a DM recently on vacation and he loved his Halcyon. I am fully researching the line and having trouble deciding which way to go. 90% of my diving is now vacation tropical based with some local warm water dives per year. On vacation I use a 3mm wetsuit and the same or a 5mm locally. I know the traveler or pro version would more than handle all of that. Should I consider maybe going to an Eclipse or Infinity with an aluminum backplate (to keep travel weight down) for future upgradeability? I don't do any cold water diving now but don't want to rule it completely out either. Also from what I have read the difference between the traveler and pro is the wing on the pro is a bladder within the wing where the standard is one layer. Does that really add two pounds (5 vs. 7) or am I missing something else? Anyone that owns either series or both and travels would greatly appreciate some feedback.
 
Go for an aluminum backplate. I am a tropical diver (3 mm or 1 mm wetsuit w/ Al 80 tank) and I own both a Halcyon 6lb stainless steel and a 2lb OMS aluminum backplate. The SS gets rarely used even for local diving. I just use trim weights on the tank bands and sometimes extra weight on a weight pocket on the right side. Traveling is easy with the aluminum backplate. Just disassemble your kit and stow the bladder wrapped in your wetsuit. I advise you to get the double shell bladder even if just for peace of mind :D.

---------- Post added August 17th, 2014 at 09:46 PM ----------

BTW don't bother with the Infinity-just get the Eclipse. You don't need the padding and it makes disassembling the rig more difficult. The cinch (for adjusting the webbing) may be great when you are trying to initially adjust the harness, but once you have your rig dialed-in you don't need it.
 
I have a Traveller for my warm water diving. It's great for travelling on a plane, nice and light, and I love it. I love my Eclipse too. Its set up for my cold water diving.
 
I've been perfectly happy traveling with the Halcyon 30# Eclipse and SS plate. Whether I take the weighted or unweighted STA depends on how close to 50 lb. my checked duffel turns out to be. I found out the hard way a few years ago to leave a couple pounds unused to account for damp neoprene on the way home.

I tried out the Infinity system when it was introduced, but went back to the standard one piece harness.
 
Last edited:
Hello Jessmcquaid,
Thank you for your interest in Halcyon products. I think you have pretty much answered your own questions. The Traveler and Traveler Pro will definitely meet your needs, but for upgrade-ability you will want to look at the Eclipse or Infinity. The difference between the Traveler and Pro is in fact the wing. The Pro has a dual bag construction where the Traveler is just single bag construction. Yes the extra layer of bag material adds about 2 pounds. You have made the correct choice with an Aluminum plate for travel. The difference between the Eclipse and the Infinity are #1 The back plate pad kit and #2the Cinch kit. I personally use an Eclipse system with the cinch upgrade kit because I prefer the adjust-ability when getting out of my rig. I hope this answers your questions. If you would like to talk to me personally feel free to contact me at 800 425 2966 x 305 Ask for Ken
 
The cinch has a tendency to slip and you might find that your harness is no longer symmetric after a dive. What usually happens is you end up buying another set for your cold water/thick exposure suit dives :)

Sent from my Underwood typewriter
 
I have the infinity.
Love the padding and the cinch.
Never had mine slip.
I also travel with it.
I have the ss plate but I don't travel with the weighted tank adapter.
13 pounds is what it weighs.
 
Hello Jessmcquaid,
Thank you for your interest in Halcyon products. I think you have pretty much answered your own questions. The Traveler and Traveler Pro will definitely meet your needs, but for upgrade-ability you will want to look at the Eclipse or Infinity. The difference between the Traveler and Pro is in fact the wing. The Pro has a dual bag construction where the Traveler is just single bag construction. Yes the extra layer of bag material adds about 2 pounds. You have made the correct choice with an Aluminum plate for travel. The difference between the Eclipse and the Infinity are #1 The back plate pad kit and #2the Cinch kit. I personally use an Eclipse system with the cinch upgrade kit because I prefer the adjust-ability when getting out of my rig. I hope this answers your questions. If you would like to talk to me personally feel free to contact me at 800 425 2966 x 305 Ask for Ken



Is it possible to buy just a Traveler wing separately?
 
Is it possible to buy just a Traveler wing separately?

Last I checked, no, because that would make too much sense. It looks almost exactly like my Pioneer 27, too.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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