Choosing a single tank wing/bp set-up.

[Hop Devil]

Mix and match. You can save money and everybodys systems seem to have a least one weak link in their packages. I have a Dive rite Wing, an S&W backplate, Halcyon gaiters and a ton of other stuff. I don't think any of it matches except it's all black.
S&W sent me an email last week they are having a huge sale on their Hammerhead plates for the month of Feb. You may want to start there. Good luck Here's the linek
swmetalproducts.com

 

[divad]

Oxycheq makes the best wing.

 

[DennisS]

The simple answer: Yes, it is the best. Make sure you get the Eclipse wing as it has an outer shell making it more durable.

The actual metal backplates are pretty much the same...not a whole lot of difference. The wings are drastically different though. Halcyon makes the best one overall and you can dive it right out of the box without having to modify it. It is worth the cost.

What do you have to do to the other ones to make them work, can't you use an oxycheq right out of the box. I bought a transpac with the travel wing and it worked fine right out of the box. My old scuba pro stab jacket worked fine right out of the box. What mod does the oxycheq need? I have an oxycheq on order, a signature, it's supposed to have an outer shell. Why is the Halcyon shell better?

 

[Scubaroo]

I don't know where this BS comes from, but the OxyCheq certainly DOES NOT need any modification out of the box. Do we want to discuss the number of people that have modified Pioneer wings to get rid of the inbuilt STA they'd rather not use? (A small percentage, but still widely reported).

 

[jonnythan]

www.COVCI.com will sell you a complete Oxycheq setup for I think $480. Take it out of the box, adjust the straps, and go diving. Just like the Pioneer.

Take it out of the box and dive it... and among the people I know that have dived both, they all seem to prefer the Oxycheq.

BTW: The 30 and 40lb Eclipse systems are $595, not $555 like the Pioneer. Since they're a bag-within-a-bag system, they're significantly bulkier, but should also be a little bit more durable.

Personally I see no reason to spend the extra $115 to get the Eclipse over the Oxycheq. It's hard to argue that the Halcyon is any better - and the webbing you get with the Oxycheq isn't covered in blue Halcyon logos.

FWIW, I have a Pioneer and I love it. I would have bought the Oxycheq if they were around at the time, though.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

What mod does the oxycheq need? I have an oxycheq on order, a signature, it's supposed to have an outer shell. Why is the Halcyon shell better?

Like a few have already mentioned, the Oxycheq needs no modification. Also, the Oxycheq shell (urethane coated nylon BOTH SIDES, and a heavy mil urethane bag inside as well) is better than the Halcyon. So, the answer to your last question is: Its not...

The Halcyon ponies have a way of talking about their equipment like its the best thing on the planet. Well, wake up people, because its not. There are quite a few manufacturers out there that make very good quality equipment. Halcyon's stock is in a freefall...

 

[cyklon_300]

was to perform a 'knob-ectomy' on the pull dump...

Very complicated and time-consuming operation, but definitely worth the effort...

 

[OneBrightGator]

I'm going to come in from way out in left field and say I love my Dive Rite setup. I bought a SS plate, standard harness, Venture wing and a STA. The plate can be used with or without a STA and the Venture is a bag-inside-a-bag like the Eclipse, very robust and diveable right out of the box (you can specify the length of the inflator and pull-dump or elbow). The whole setup can be had for about $500, actually, if you order from DR Express the harness, crotch strap and shipping is free, should save you about $50.

I think most of the stuff out there is good enough that most of us couldn't tell a difference between them.

Ben

 

[LioKai]

Been reading on this site for a short while now (about 2 weeks) and I finally have something to say.

One MAJOR problem I am seeing (reading about), is that most of us are diving with back plates that require an additional plate for conversion to a single tank, or a bent plate with band slots, or worse. This makes the tank stand proud off of your back by several inches causing a "top heavy" affect, and when you move to the side it causes a rolling effect. How can this be acceptable? There are so many other manufacturers of good BC's, many of which are beginning to design BC's specificly for a single tank. A properly weighted diver with a single tank shouldn't require any more lift than about 15 lbs, more than enough to off-set the compression of the suit plus a little for reserve. A 25lb lift BC has more than 1/3 extra reserve lift. This is way more than plenty. And you won't need a hard protective cover over a BC bladder if it isn't large enough to get caught on anything in the first place. I am also suprised that a few are willingly diving over-weighted. Why? Is there a legitimate reason? If your current back plate is too negatively weighted then switch to an ABS. ABS is neutral weight in sea water.
So, the original question was a recomendation on a BC for a single tank. Have a look at the "Jet Harness". 26lbs of lift, 6lbs negative (SS plate), flat plate mounts directly to the tank, and custom fit to your measurements. And the price is unbeatable.

OK, so I bought one.

I'm a guide for a living, I see a lot of BC's. Most of which are pure junk,as you all already know. This Jet BC is the best one that I've seen and or used, and I've used a lot of them. I've owned far too many BC's over the last 16 years (about 9) and I've test dove way more than I can remember, and I've always come back to a wing.

I had concerns about using a flat plate, but that quickly changed after I tried this BC. The trim is perfect, the fit is perfect, no roll-over effect, compact enough to stow it in the crew hatch on the boat. It fits like a glove. I was concerned that the steel plate with the LP steel tank would make me top heavy, but it was perfect. This is the first time that I have not had a quick release on the arm, I don't need it. It fits better than any wing or jacket that I have ever had. I shoot U/W video, and one of the clients shot a photo of me recently and showed it to me, you couldn't see my BC at all.

I found the web store on eBay while looking at prices for selling 2 of my other BC's. The price for the Jet Harness was about $329 for the steel plate package. I sent a few emails asking questions and getting answers, about a week later I placed an order, a week after that it arrived, custom made to the measurments that I sent. I ordered a second complete BC in ABS for traveling, but my step son must think I ordered it for him because he keeps taking it.

There really are other products besides OMS and Dive Rite and such.

Have a look at their web site, www.JetHarness.com

Matthew J D'Avella
Kona Hawaii

 

[OneBrightGator]

I just measured my STA and it's less than half an inch thick, so the idea that using a single tank with a traditional BP creates some large moment is false, in fact most BCs hold the tank further from the body than a BP/STA setup. Also, my tank is securely strapped to a curved STA, which is then bolted to the BP, I don't know if a flat plate would hold a tank as securely. I like my setup because I'm not restricted to single tank use.

As for the wing, I've never dove with a JetHarness wing, but as far as I know they have no history in wings, not to mention that ridiculously long inflator hose.

Ben