Beginner questions about Backplates and Wings

[DIR Tec Diver]

You can't really compare the Zeagle and the Halcyon. True, both are wings, but fundamentally different in all other aspects.

I used to Have a Zeagle Ranger, and sold it. I have now the Halcyon Explorer 55 for twin tank diving, and the Halcyon Pioneer 45 for single tank diving. I need the 45 because I use steel tanks. Otherwise a smaller Pioneer would be sufficient.

 

[Mverick]

I use a halcyon BP and wing. 27lb wing.

I use it with a 3mm full suit with an AL BP and a Faber HP100 and a Halcyon 27 pioneer wing. No weight belt. I can easily swim it up and I'm comfortable with it.

I'm 6'2" 190lbs athletic build...

With AL80 and in saltwater I needed 12lbs of weight. 4 of it strapped to the bottom of the tank to keep the bottom bouyant AL80's bottom down...

I mostly dive with my drysuit though. With a drysuit and a single HP100 I still use the 27lb Pioneer. But a Heavy Stainless plate. That's around 10lbs. Keeping my weight belt to a managable amount of lead.

Duals is a different story...

 

[ElectricZombie]

GeronimoDF once bubbled...
Can a in-experienced person setup the halycon properly?

Yes. It would be better to have someone to show you in person but, you can find info on how to set it up properly online.

Should I just stick with my Zeagle, or go to the Halycon?

I would say go with the Halcyon because I feel that it is a much better BC all around. I dive the Halcyon and have zero complaints. It is a much, much better setup than anything else I have used.

Since you will have the opportunity to try out both, you will really be able to see what the advantages of the Halcyon are.

Once I setup the Halcyon the first time, am I going to have to re-adjuct everytime ?

Once you get the Halcyon adjusted, you do not have to keep redadjusting it. I have not adjusted my Halcyon in months. Make sure that you get the BP adjusted on land and make sure that everything feels right. Read some of the articles on how to adjust it and you should be fine. With the Halcyon, you adjust it once and that's it.

I just want a hassle free week at St Lucia, and not sure what BC I should go with.

Then go with the Halcyon. Nothing to break or fail, better fit and performance.

Try out the TP2, then try out the Halcyon. I think you'll like the Halcyon better if it is adjusted properly.

 

[blackice]

If you have the chance to hire the Halcyon - go for it.

that's what I did before buying one, best way to find it it's right for you, I did the same for my wife and she hated the croth strap - female thing I thought but then again other women have used it happily, so it's not that.

Then if you buy it can you talk both with you so you can slowly get used to it - if needed. I personally never want to go back after trying it.

As others hafve said it's easy to adjust and rig up, takes only a couple of hours and your set to go diving.

 

[diverUp]

I also used to dive a Ranger, until I got my Halcyon w/36 wing.

There is no comparison for me, the Halcyon ROCKS.

I recommend the 36lb wing, perfect any rec. dive (cold or warm water).

 

[HammerNoMore]

Maybe we should have scubaboard automaticly close threads that have had no posts for 2 months?

 

[JohnF]

James Goddard once bubbled...
Maybe we should have scubaboard automaticly close threads that have had no posts for 2 months?

But leaving a thread like this open and properly titled gives folks with questions a chance to do some research rather than rehashing old discussions.

That's the rec.scuba drill I got when I first asked what everyone meant by DIR. "Have you done a search, Newby?" Saves a lot of repetition and if the reader has new questions or has some input to offer the thread is still available.

IMHO
JohnF

 

[HammerNoMore]

JohnF once bubbled...


But leaving a thread like this open and properly titled gives folks with questions a chance to do some research rather than rehashing old discussions.

Closing a thread does not prevent you from reading it or searching for it. It simply prevents any further posts to the thread.

This would keep people from chiming in 2 months later on a dead topic.

 

[diverUp]

If thats the way you feel, what the he?? you doin puttin yer 1cent in now?

Or do you only post to complain?

 

[jpsmith]

Novice diver here w/ only 58 dives, mostly tropical & some freshwater quarry. Recently experienced a guided cenote dive in the Yucatan, and am looking to get into cavern diving (NOT planning on cave) in the next year or two when I have more experience under my belt. I'm looking to buy gear, and am very interested in the bp/wing setup.

Could anyone point me to a good primer on bp/wings? I've read Jablonski's book & have surfed around here for awhile, but I'm a bit confused by the modular nature of it all (i.e., what brands will work well with others' components, etc.). Likewise, I've seen reference to SS vs. AL backplates, but am not sure of pros/cons to each, and other such "basics."

Unfortunately, all the dive shops here in Nashville seem to avoid the bp/wing concept, so I'm left a little out on my own here.

If it'll help, I'm mainly going to be diving tropical & (hopefully) Florida/Mexico caverns. In the next few years, I also see myself getting into dry suit diving, as I lived the last 28 years in Michigan and very well may head back.... Wreck intrigues me, but I'm going to take one step at a time. Given the above profile, I'll likely be diving single cylinders for quite some time, and by the time I consider doubles (e.g., if I get into wreck), I'd be willing to splurge for a new set of wings....

Thanks in advance,
Jim