doing it right?

[SangP]

Hi wetkiwi,

I may be doing DIR but I'll surely do TDI and if you are diving in warm waters almost any Alu plate, #30 wing setup will be dir compatible. Personally I would go for a Halcyon (obviously if you are doing DIR), OMS, Koplin (ok but not enough holes but more comfortable due to the angled shoulder slots) or Hammerhead (ok but the finishing isn't that good and the plate I got was not bent properly).

Why don't you read threads like:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=131885
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=97431

Dir threads:
http://www.scubaboard.com/archive/index.php/t-65614.html

SangP

 

[Snowbear]

The brands don't matter, which is why they're not mentioned in the books.

Even the construction and style are a matter of personal choice. I found I prefer the donut shaped wing over the horseshoe for making it easier to keep the gas evenly distributed side to side.

It's also not usually a good idea to use a doubles wing with a single tank. The wideness teds to make it "taco" around the tank and trapping gas on one side of the wing.

 

[SangP]

Couldn't have said it better.



SangP

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Would anyone reccomend the Halcyon eclipse over the pioneeer or vice versa?

Both are good performing wings ... those who choose one over the other do so based more on preference than performance. The Eclipse (which I own) is a double-layer wing. The "bladder" that holds the air is covered with a protective layer to help prevent damage to the air cell. The advantage to this wing is that it's generally more durable, and easier to repair. The disadvantage is that it's bulkier (for travel consideration) and more expensive. The Pioneer is a single layer wing. The advantage is that it's less expensive and packs smaller. The disadvantage is that if you puncture it, it's more difficult to repair.

Also look at Oxycheq (Signature series for double-layer wing and Standard series for single layer wing), and Deep Sea Supply (double-layer wing only). I have extensive experience with all of those wings and they are all quality wings and excellent performers.

How about regs, again specific reccomendations would be nice as '...a good quailty reg' doesnt much help me.

Apeks and ScubaPro are the preferred brands for most DIR divers. But there are a raft of other regs out there that are very nice.

I can personally recommend Apeks DS4 and ATX100 first stages with ATX50 or TX50 second stages. These are excellent performers. However, I have come to prefer ScubaPro S600 second stages since taking up photography, as they don't breathe "wet" when inverted like the Apeks second stages do.

I also like the Aqualung Legend regs ... and the less expensive "Titan" model is an excellent performer in its price range.

There are many other fine quality regs out there ... I'm sure others will drop by to state their preferences.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[*Floater*]

For my first bp/w I chose the DSS single rig, and grabbed a used explorer 40# for doubles. I then proceeded to do about 5 dives with the single wing before trying out the doubles setup. I have yet to go back. I do my rec diving in doubles too. I still bring my single wing for vacations just in case, but if all goes well I won't use it.

If a rental place doesn't have (manifolded) twinsets for rent, or they cost more, then I just use independent doubles, which my DSS plate has specific slots for - however, if you want to DIR, then you shouldn't use independent doubles - my DIR-F instructor certainly wasn't thrilled about that right hand hip D-ring.

If money was not a concern, then I'd only use manifolded doubles myself - you can usually build them yourself on site even if the shop doesn't rent them, but that involves bringing your own sets of manifolds, tanks bands/bolts and tools, and I'm not there yet - plus the airline luggage weight limits present another restriction.

 

[SangP]

If I had to do it again.

Koplin or OMS Alu plate
Oxycheq #30 signature wing
Koplin light STA
Oxycheq #50 signature doubles wing but I really hope that Patrick would come up with a donut #50 double bladder wing soon.
Apeks ATX100 or DS4/ATX50

SangP

 

[fishb0y]

I have done it again... I have a DSS BP/W setup with the 30#single wing and Tobin's new Torus... I did have a Halcyon 40# doubles wing, but little things drove me crazy (inflator, the DIR lack of tab on the bottom dump). I'll let you know how the turus works later today (if the weather holds).

 

[StSomewhere]

If I would've bought what I should've bought to begin with: Apeks TX50/ATX50/FST, DSS SS backplate (love the additional weight plates), donut-shaped wing like the H Eclipse + H STA, Scubapro bottom timer + sensus pro or Aladin Tec (wristmount), oh, and jetfins.

 

[Quaff King]

Sang P,
I am curious by your comments on the Hammerhead backplates. You indicated the finish wasn't that good and it wasn't bent correctly. Could you elaborate on those observations. I have both the stainless and alumium models of the Hammerhead. I was extremely satisfied with the finish and function of both plates. In fact I originally ordered a model with the hand holds and upon receiving it decided I preferred the model with out the grips. I sent it back, not only did they exchange it for no charge they reimbursed me for the shipping.
I haven't gotten that kind of service from anyone in a long, long time.
They're plates are solid, well fabricated and performed flawlessly. For $99 bucks their cold water special may have been the best deal I've purchased in 10 years of diving. So I'd be intersted in hearing what didn't work for you.

 

[SangP]

Quaff King,

I have great things to say about their service but the finishing was a nothing to shout about, first off it wasn't smooth, my al plate came with machining marks all over, like clamp marks, surface scratches and the slots were very sharp. Second it was not properly bent, one side was higher than the other. Not a real disaster but the quality could have been better IMO.

As for shipping it back, I live in Singapore, the shipping alone is the cost of the plate. Since, a plate's basically a plate, I didn't think too much about it and I may find a plate online on ebay from time to time so if I get the right deal, I'll ebay for another plate.

SangP