DaveO
Contributor
Im having some difficulty gathering information regarding backplate and wings. Im buying equipment for the first time, and the bp/w appeals to me for its modularity and adaptability. Theres an LDS near me that carries Halcyon, but its apparently a new line for this shop: they dont have brochures, lost their price sheet so they couldnt give me even a ballpark price, and suggested I contact the local tech diver group for specific information about the equipment. (I dont mean to be overly critical of this shop- I think its just very new to them.)
Since Ive only heard about the benefits of bp/w on this board, and never actually dived this type of gear, I feel like Im about to buy a pig in a poke. But its a gamble Im willing to take- hopefully with a little help from some more experienced folks on this board.
Do you mind reviewing this list for reasonableness and completeness, and keep a critical eye out for pitfalls that may cause problems down the road (for instance, finding myself over / under weighted)?
At first I plan to dive warm salt water to rack up more dives and gain experience, and then move along to nitrox and wreck penetration. Im AOW now and plan on a rescue diver course next month. So far Ive been using a 3/2 wetsuit (I get chilled easily, so I may also dive with a .5 skin- dont know how much that will affect buoyancy).
My to buy list so far includes:
a FredT backplate in 316 stainless, 3/16 thickness, with webbing
a new Halcyon 27# wing - no STA required
Are tank bands (is that the right term?) required in this configuration, or are they a part of the wing?
At what point do items such as bungees and mtn bike inner tubes come into play (read about them on this board, cant quite wrap my brain around it)?
Your thoughts, comments, been there, done thats, warnings, caveats, ideas, and suggestions are (desperately) welcome!
Thanks,
DaveO
Since Ive only heard about the benefits of bp/w on this board, and never actually dived this type of gear, I feel like Im about to buy a pig in a poke. But its a gamble Im willing to take- hopefully with a little help from some more experienced folks on this board.
Do you mind reviewing this list for reasonableness and completeness, and keep a critical eye out for pitfalls that may cause problems down the road (for instance, finding myself over / under weighted)?
At first I plan to dive warm salt water to rack up more dives and gain experience, and then move along to nitrox and wreck penetration. Im AOW now and plan on a rescue diver course next month. So far Ive been using a 3/2 wetsuit (I get chilled easily, so I may also dive with a .5 skin- dont know how much that will affect buoyancy).
My to buy list so far includes:
a FredT backplate in 316 stainless, 3/16 thickness, with webbing
a new Halcyon 27# wing - no STA required
Are tank bands (is that the right term?) required in this configuration, or are they a part of the wing?
At what point do items such as bungees and mtn bike inner tubes come into play (read about them on this board, cant quite wrap my brain around it)?
Your thoughts, comments, been there, done thats, warnings, caveats, ideas, and suggestions are (desperately) welcome!
Thanks,
DaveO