I have had a chance to dive some of the new S-Tek products this summer. Overall, the product line is a nice improvement over the prior generation. Many call the new backplate design a "gimmick", but for single cylinder diving, I am really liking the design with the integrated handle and I appreciate the single cinch band on the new STA. The new STA is wider that most models and I need to see how it will fit with my Halcyon 20 Eclipse wing that I use for tropical diving.
Where I think Scubapro failed is in their webbing. On one of the YouTube videos Rhys Couzyn describes the webbing as being "Exactly Correct". I know that webbing is very much a personal choice, but it is not even close to being correct in my opinion. The webbing is so soft that the Scubapro branded silicone loops will cause the webbing to curl. The webbing is way too soft and limp and it will be replaced by some Halcyon webbing once I get the time.
The new wings now include a "traditional" style inflator that Scubapro calls the Tek-BPI. This is a welcome change over the previous line. It is a traditional K-Style inflator that can be purchased for less than $20...about 1/4 the price of the Scubapro Tek-BPI. If you like blue buttons, then the Scubapro Tek-BPI is the inflator you have been looking for!
The Scubapro S-Tek line is not cheap and you can certainly find equivalent rigs for much less money, but the backplate and STA are unique and I think they are a welcome design change worth looking at.
Where I think Scubapro failed is in their webbing. On one of the YouTube videos Rhys Couzyn describes the webbing as being "Exactly Correct". I know that webbing is very much a personal choice, but it is not even close to being correct in my opinion. The webbing is so soft that the Scubapro branded silicone loops will cause the webbing to curl. The webbing is way too soft and limp and it will be replaced by some Halcyon webbing once I get the time.
The new wings now include a "traditional" style inflator that Scubapro calls the Tek-BPI. This is a welcome change over the previous line. It is a traditional K-Style inflator that can be purchased for less than $20...about 1/4 the price of the Scubapro Tek-BPI. If you like blue buttons, then the Scubapro Tek-BPI is the inflator you have been looking for!
The Scubapro S-Tek line is not cheap and you can certainly find equivalent rigs for much less money, but the backplate and STA are unique and I think they are a welcome design change worth looking at.