Backplate: Choosing Zeagle or Halcyon

[djcheburashka]

Hi. I'm planning to switch from my Ranger to a backplate. I'm trying to decide whether to go with a Halcyon backplate (which my shop recommends) or a Zeagle.

My shop says the advantage of the Halcyon is that the lower corners are bent back, and will otherwise dig into my back.

My theory for the zeagle backplate is that I could then use my ranger bladder, for both singles and doubles, instead of having to buy two bladders for the Halcyon.

My shop also says the halcyon bladder will be better for balance and trim because its a doughnut instead of a wing. (Except that the one for duals is a wing anyway.)

What do people think? Has anyone tried both? Is there no way to attach the ranger bladder properly to the halcyon backplate (I can't figure out how it attaches to the zeagle backplate, and can't find one locally to take a look at)? What do others recommend?

 

[jefffalcone]

There isn't much difference between backplates. Most wings attach to most wings. The standard is two bolts seperated by 11" in the center of the plate. I don't dive doubles, so I can only say what I've heard, but it is generally agreed that you will be unhappy if you try to use the same wing for singles and doubles. My advice is sell the ranger, and use the money to buy a good single tank wing. When you need a doubles setup, buy another wing for doubles.

 

[crpntr133]

The Ranger wing won't fit the H plate since Zeagle uses the webbing just like on the Ranger. You might be able to DIY the webbing easy enough but why.
Buy the Zeagle plate and use the Ranger wing for doubles. Or if you want, use it for both singles and doubles. At either rate you are going to save money by staying with Zeagle.
I have one of their plates and like it just as much as any that I have dove.

 

[docmartin]

there are donut wings for doubles. halcyon makes them, DSS does and so does oxycheq.

 

[UWDoc]

I bought a Zeagle plate and mounted my Ranger wing on it a little while ago. I have used it for both singles and doubles, it works great. Having said that, I don't think it is the best wing to use for doubles for a few reasons:

1. The wing gets kind of stretched to fit on the plate, and there isn't much of the bladder at the top of the plate - this can affect the balance.
2. The way the wing mounts pretty much blocks access to the top mounting hole. This could also be a problem for getting the balance/trim right.
3. I could not get the top air dump mechanism (you get what I am talking about) to be in a good position - it attaches on the back side of the wing and hits the neck area of the tank on that side even though I had the bands up as far on the tanks as possible and was using the lowest mounting hole on the plate.
4. The bladder only has 44 lbs of lift. It was adequate for me using a drysuit but I decided if I am bringing stage bottles I will need some more lift.

So I bought a Deep Outdoors 85# wing to use for my doubles and will use my Ranger or the Ranger wing on the Zeagle plate for singles and for traveling.

The Ranger wing mounts to the plate with small bolts that attach the stainless steel pieces on the wing through which the tank straps pass to the plate. I used a Hogarthian harness kit from DSS for the harness.

I feel like it's one of those things where when something is designed for two purposes, it does neither well (though in this case it is a great BC).

 

[The Kraken]

The Kraken's back plate is the best in all of the Oceans ! ! !

But, only a few are allowed to own one !!!

the K

 

[ZzzKing]

The Ranger wing will fit the H plate or more specifically, the harness on the H plate, just like it does on your Zeagle BC. It's difficult to swap when set up because you pretty much have to completely remove the harness to get the thing off. you'll know what I'm talking about after you do it. It will work fine but the 44# lift may be a little excessive for singles. May be a little light for doubles depending on what exposure protection and tanks are used.

Haven't had the problem of a plate digging into my back despite it not being "bent back". I think they may be just trying to up-sell you on that one. Don't you think that if it was a problem that most of the other brands would bend theirs back as well?

Doughnuts and horseshoes can both be trimmed out properly and dive well. I dove a Zeagle wing that was pulled off a BC and attached to a backplate for over a year with no problems whatsoever. Ultimately, however, I sold the Zeagle BC (for $40 less than I paid new) and bought an Oxycheq wing and lived happily ever after.

There is no risk in acquiring a plate and harness and rigging it up with the Zeagle wing. Dive it a while and if you decide you want something else, just pull it back off and sell it to pay for your next wing. You can get an inexpensive aluminum plate and harness for less than $100 that will last you for years. SS for less than $150.

Good luck!

 

[djcheburashka]

Haven't had the problem of a plate digging into my back despite it not being "bent back". I think they may be just trying to up-sell you on that one. Don't you think that if it was a problem that most of the other brands would bend theirs back as well?

Yes, in fact that is -exactly- what I thought.

I really appreciate everyone's advice. Very helpful.

 

[nereas]

I believe that the best backplates are made by Tobin George at Deep Sea Supply in Los Angeles California USA. Not Halcyon nor Zeagle.

 

[nereas]

The Kraken's back plate is the best in all of the Oceans ! ! !

But, only a few are allowed to own one !!!

the K

And .... ?