BP/W and high prices??

[jasonX5]

Why are these BP/W priced so high?? I mean they are virtually harness systems with a stainless back plate on the back. I'm not trying to be rude, but I fail to see how someone i.e. like a Halcyon can charge $600-$700 for a BP/W like the eclipse model??

There are tons of regular BC's brand new at that i.e. tusa etc... for $200. I understand the cost of production, but isn't there quite a markup on these things. Now, if I'm wrong set me straight.

 

[superstar]

They must be union made in the USA.

 

[Jarrett]

Yeah I don't get it either. Less = more $$$ in scuba for some reason.

 

[Mo2vation]

So, buy a DSS system. Send Halcyon a message and vote with your wallet.

Or be wise and go to eBay. This stuff ages very gracefully - you can pay $85 - $125 for a fully rigged Halcyon BP, another $150 - $200 for a Halcyon wing and you're on your way.

Buying new gear is flushing your cash.

---
Ken


PS: it costs so much because people are paying so much.

 

[RonFrank]

Why are these BP/W priced so high?? I mean they are virtually harness systems with a stainless back plate on the back. I'm not trying to be rude, but I fail to see how someone i.e. like a Halcyon can charge $600-$700 for a BP/W like the eclipse model??

There are tons of regular BC's brand new at that i.e. tusa etc... for $200. I understand the cost of production, but isn't there quite a markup on these things. Now, if I'm wrong set me straight.

There are several factors. First Scuba is a niche market, and BP/W's more so. That means that manufactures can not do the volume that is necessary to cut manufacture costs, and demand stays somewhat high.

Another factor is that Tobin indicated that the cost of Steel had gone up dramatically in the last year. I think he said it had more than doubled in cost, but I can remember exactly.

The number of manufactures is also not huge. You have DiveRite, OMS, Halcyon, DSS, Oxycheq, and a few others. While there is some competition among these manufactures, there is really no one huge player involved driving down pricing by undercutting the competition. In addition, I believe most of these products are made in the USA, IMO THAT is a good thing, but it's more expensive vs. underage Chinese child labor that our country has become dependent upon.

All that said DSS makes a heck of a nice singles rig for $450 complete. You can get some deals through places like ScubaToys where if you order a wing/harness/BP/etc., they will cut you some slack.

The $200 BCD example is a bit misleading as NO manufacture makes a high quality BC for that price. A Zeagle Stiletto for example runs $450~$575 depending upon where you get it. Similar higher quality BCD's are in that price range as well.

You chose to use Halcyon as your price point for the BP/W, and they are likely the most expensive of the lot. So you can't compare a cheap low end BC at $200 with the most expensive BP/W manufacture out there, and call foul! :no

 

[*Floater*]

Why are these BP/W priced so high?? I mean they are virtually harness systems with a stainless back plate on the back. I'm not trying to be rude, but I fail to see how someone i.e. like a Halcyon can charge $600-$700 for a BP/W like the eclipse model??

There are tons of regular BC's brand new at that i.e. tusa etc... for $200. I understand the cost of production, but isn't there quite a markup on these things. Now, if I'm wrong set me straight.

I wouldn't compare H bp/w system to a $200 BCD. If you look at the top quality BCD's then they cost a lot too, maybe more than the Halcyon...

Other than that I second what mo2 said. DSS has a good package price. If you don't like DSS, then check out North East Scuba Supply for their BP/W specials, or buy the plate and hog harness from www.hammerheadscuba.com (currently down? but it's $145 iirc for plate, sta and harness) and buy a wing and cam straps for it from Oxycheq or someone else. And to get an even better deal just buy used off this board or ebay.

 

[Hoosier]

Have you ever seen anything cheap on the equipment related with water?

LOL~~~~

 

[dbombtek]

Its all over priced in my opinion and the worst is BP/W. How about flashlights for 70 bucks thats CRAP. Dont start with its a limited market and all of that junk either cause it a monopoly that we are paying dearly for. They should open up all to internet sales also.

 

[bwerb]

Ask your wives/girlfriends about bikini's if you want to talk about expensive water gear...yikes! The more you pay the less you get!

Oh and dbombtek, that $70 flashlight is milled out of a solid rod of delrin, not molded plastic...the material and production time are significantly elevated compaired to a machine that can pop-out hundreds of bodies a minute.

 

[CBulla]

They should open up all to internet sales also.

I totally agree with it. The model that ScubaToys and a few others are pioneering is blowing the doors and pants off of B&M competition who are unwilling to be open to the conecpt that all customers must walk through the door. I wonder how many are running a loose inventory (if at all) and are lucky to have more than a scratch pad reciept book or circa 1985 register at the counter...