DR Venture and Halcyon Pioneer

[kidspot]

If you have used both of these wings what differences have you noted between them? I only need a wing to complete my bp/w setup at this point (currently an Abyss SS backplate w/ standard harness) I will only be doing single tank diving for now (about to become a new diver with no clue where I'll end up - thus a bp/w to "be prepared") and the prices of these two seem comparable - $250 for 30# venture and $268 for 27# pioneer.

anyway - I'd appreciate the pros/cons from those of you that used both. Is one more "sreamlined" in the water? is one better for learning bouyancy control?

btw - I'm looking at warm water diving in Hawaii - little/no exposure suit - mostly shore diving - this is the rig I will be learning in and planning on using for years to come.

Thanks in advance

P.S. I've read a lot of debates about halcyon/diverite/oxycheq/oms here, but most are from folks who have not used the "other side" . . .

 

[OneBrightGator]

I used a Pioneer until someone else needed it more then I did and then I replaced it with a Venture. I really don't see any difference in trim or streamlining between the two, the major difference is the Pioneer is a single bladder while the Venture has an outer shell. Also, the shape is a little different, the Venture has a pull dump and I believe the bottom dump on the Pioneer is on the inside, the Venture is on the outside.

That being said, I prefer the Venture because of the outer shell, that combined with it being cheaper makes it my recommendation.

Ben