Choosing the best (for me) BP/W setup

[theriel]

Hello,
I have spent a couple of days fighting through many very informative threads on this forum. However, I have still lots of doubts. ;(

Having learnt in the other post that I should get myself a single tank BP/W system, I started looking for the right choice. I would be grateful for suggestions and comparisons.

Some general info (might be useful):
Me: 175cm + 63kg = slim; diving 27C water in 5mm wetsuit .
Use: warm water (I don't like local cold water diving, sorry ;]), so the total weight is a bit of concern (flights).
Brands: Having searched through many posts, I decided to narrow the choice down to: Halcyon, Oxycheq, Dive Rite, DSS. [The only thing I DON'T like about Halcyon - awfully huge logos of H everywhere]

My suggestions from what I have managed to find looking through fora:

Wing:
a)Oxycheq Mach V Extreme Series
----very durable
b)Halcyon Eclipse
----IMO better shape than Oxycheq
----but unfortunately requires STA

Harness:
Halcyon Quick-adjust harness
----IMO that's the best choice available on the market. Innovative system + high quality. And can be used with Deluxe Padding... .

Backplate:
a)Halcyon Backplate
----goes nicely with Deluxe Padding!
b)DSS Backplate
----more holes, more fun .

Material: Probably going for Al. I know that @mattboy is a strong supporter of SS, I undestand him totally, as I will have to add weights anyway (I used 6kg in Red Sea for wetsuit). However, 3kg more or less DOES matter for flying. Unless sb can give strong arguments contra...

So, basically, my questions are:
1.Is Halcyon Eclipse worth taking over Oxycheq, despite of the need to buy and carry STA? (I am not diving doubles therefore STA is of no advantage whatsoever). Or, asking the same question otherwise - is the requirement of STA any serious reason why NOT to take Eclipse? (keep in mind my desired "use")
2.Is there *really* any true difference between Halcyon and DSS Backplates or should I just go for what I get a better deal for (e.g. while buying second-hand)?
3.Does anybody use a normal SS plate for holiday-diving purposes, packing it in the same suitcase with clothes, and not having problems with excessive luggage? Yes, I see the huge advantages of SS - weight; but I also see its biggest disadvantage - weight.

P.S. I tried to make the questions as specific as possible, as the topic of "which BP/W?" appears here every couple of days/weeks. I have had a general overview of the last 30-40 threads in this forum and I couldn't find any answers; but if I missed something - sorry!

P.P.S. If you know anything about some announcements of new products etc. - I would appreciate!

Thank you very much for your help and suggestions!
Theriel

 

[USCScubaboy]

I notice weight is a major concern for you. Have you considered a a backplate like this? OxyCheq Ultra Lite Back Plate reviews and discounts, OxyCheq

 

[fnfalman]

I think that the weight difference between a typical aluminum plate versus a typical steel plate is around 4-lbs which is less than 2-kg.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

So, basically, my questions are:
1.Is Halcyon Eclipse worth taking over Oxycheq, despite of the need to buy and carry STA? (I am not diving doubles therefore STA is of no advantage whatsoever). Or, asking the same question otherwise - is the requirement of STA any serious reason why NOT to take Eclipse? (keep in mind my desired "use") I prefer a STA! One, it keeps your whole system together as you are carrying back and forth from shop/room to boat/shore (without STA everything is flopping around). Secondly, I find that the BP is more stable to the tank oppose to just using cam straps by themselves.
2.Is there *really* any true difference between Halcyon and DSS Backplates or should I just go for what I get a better deal for (e.g. while buying second-hand)? A lot of diver that go with the Halcyon BP like how the bottom corners of the plate are flared out and the fact of how the Storage Pak mounts to it (divers keep a 6' CC SMB in there).
3.Does anybody use a normal SS plate for holiday-diving purposes, packing it in the same suitcase with clothes, and not having problems with excessive luggage? Yes, I see the huge advantages of SS - weight; but I also see its biggest disadvantage - weight. I travel everywhere with the SS plate and like it because then I where no wght and have a clean harness. I pack my SS BP&Harness in my check in bag with no problem.

The divers that go with the Halcyon System tend to like the whole package. I am a vendor for a couple of manufacturers that offer these types of systems and the #1 sold is the Halcyon (that's mainly recreational divers). We have a pool at our facility and once in the poll (test dive) they go with the Halcyon (I would say 9 out of 10).

We ship internationally, let me know if we can help you out with this.

 

[elan]

If you do not change your exposure protection every time quick adjust harness will not do anything useful unless you have medical problems with the mobility in the arms. Deluxe padding only gets in the way. And unless you are a woman (you do not have info in the profile) and wear the harness w/o the suit the padding will not change anything in a good way. I can wear single tank BP/W bare skin and get no bruises. Women tend to get them easier.

 

[rongoodman]

I've never had any issues packing my SS plate. Adding the weighted STA and keeping the bag under 50 lb is doable, but a challenge. As for the new Halcyon harness, people seem to like it, and it is a one-piece with no failure points, but unless you have a specific need for it, I'd start out with the standard webbing. It will probably be fine, and costs less. If you need to upgrade it later on, you can.

 

[rstofer]

I think there is a difference between DSS and ANY other backplate in that it has elastomeric grommets at each important web slot. These prevent abrasion and also provide sufficient friction such that additional keepers are not required.

You won't find a lot of support for padded harnesses or even quick adjust harnesses in the context of a BP/W. The whole point was to get rid of that stuff. Get back to basics...

If flying is the criteria then the DSS Kydex plate can be used instead of the aluminum. In fact, as I read it, flying is the most important criteria.

That Halcyon Eclipse is insanely priced. It is nearly double the cost of a DSS rig and all it adds is fluff. And DSS isn't really the lowest price rig around; although I would argue that it is the best.

Since you have done all the research, why not make a spreadsheet of bits and pieces, assign some figure of merit and review in the context of cost? After all, it won't make a nickle's worth of difference when you go to dive. Any of the top rigs will work fine.

You can get a perfectly serviceable BP/W (aluminum plate) for $300:
HOG Custom BC Package

Or you can look at the Halcyon for well more than twice that.

Richard

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I agree with rstofer regarding DSS, Halcyon, and the HOG gear.

So, basically, my questions are:
I prefer a STA! One, it keeps your whole system together as you are carrying back and forth from shop/room to boat/shore (without STA everything is flopping around). Secondly, I find that the BP is more stable to the tank oppose to just using cam straps by themselves.

Some wings, in particular ones from Deep Sea Supply, have an elastomeric block incorporated into the wing design which helps stabilize the tank. It holds the tank very securely without the added weight of an STA. Admittedly, one can purchase a lightweight STA (less than 1 lb.) so this may not be that big of an issue.

@Dive Junkie1: Do you sell Deep Sea Supply rigs? It doesn't sound like you do.

 

[theriel]

Thank you for replies so far!

@elan: I have updated my profile .

@rstofer: I am not looking for the best value/price. I am looking for the best value overall. As I am going to use the equipment for many years, and I don't have any other expenses planned (no drysuit, no tech mixes, no rebreather etc.), I regard the Halcyon price to be OK.

@USCScubaboy: I did have a look at OxyCheq Ultra Lite Back Plate. It looks great, but I want to keep my options open: a)bigger functionality of a normal BP b)If I wanted at some point to check what this DIR/GUE is about - by buying a normal BP I am ready to go.

Does anybody know how much does Halcyon Eclipse Infinity weigh with SS and with AL?
Also... if you say that SS is not a big problem with travelling - would you go for SS + STA, or AL + weighted STA? (obviously, having both of them heavy would be too much).
Or... why should I bother with SS, if I can save 2kg and use tank-band pockets for weights?

 

[divesergeant]

I can address the stability of the single tank setup with the DSS wing, which has no STA. Once you get the straps locked, it is rock solid. The elastomeric tank cradle attached to the wing and the elastomeric blocks on the opposing side of the BP from the tank help to hold tight despite any stretching of the straps or anything.

I have no experience with ny other BP/W, so I can't compare. But I do like the DSS. Add to that the ultra lightweight of the Kydex BP with 17lbs wing and it is great for my tropical travel needs.

DS