eclipse or pioneer

[Spoon]

guys ive done my research and aside from the eclipse being thicker and all i was wondering from those who actually tried both which one would be the better choice? i have been using my friends pioneer with the 18lb wing and i love it (they discontinued this wing tho), so sleek and compact.

i mainly just do recreational diving nothing hard core first choice would be the eclipse but from the online pics it seems bulkier than the pioneer from side profile etc. the pioneer seems more streamlined from the pics.

having a tough time deciding. either or im getting halcyon!

later

 

[H2Andy]

i have the Pioneer, but only because of money considerations. i happened to
get a very good deal on a factory second Pioneer. if i had more money,
i would have bought the Eclipse because of the extra protection for the
bladder.

it can't hurt, right?

 

[Spoon]

i have the Pioneer, but only because of money considerations. i happened to
get a very good deal on a factory second Pioneer. if i had more money,
i would have bought the Eclipse because of the extra protection for the
bladder.

it can't hurt, right?

true that! the eclipse is around $90 bucks more than the pioneer over here, i can spare the extra dough. price is not a factor to me its more of a size thing. i find the pioneer to be the perfect size f0r me, nice and sleek. from the online pics ive seen of the eclipse they seem slightly bulkier esp on the side angle. also there is a one inch gap from the backplate to the wing???

i am basing this on pics, havent seen an actual eclipse wing yet, the wings are arriving on friday via halcyon florida, hope i can finally decide by then!

later,

 

[PerroneFord]

The Eclipse uses the single tank adapter whereas the Pioneer does not. that accounts for the "gap". The smallest Pioneer wing is now a 27# and the smallest Eclipse is a 30#. Very similar in size, so the idea of one being bulkier than the other is moot.

If you really want a smaller wing, you might look into Dive Rites travel wing. I'm not sure what Oxycheq or others may be offering in small sizes.

I've been fighting this same battle myself, but have come to the conclusion that I will just get a pioneer wing setup to start with on a single Al80. And when I move to doubles, I'll get something different. Neither of these is really suited to doubles anyway, so the only true benefits are that the Eclipse is tougher and can use a weighted STA. In basic open water, thats a pretty thin argument. the difference in cost will pay for an SPG. At least that's how I am justifying it!

Good luck to you.

 

[H2Andy]

The Eclipse uses the single tank adapter whereas the Pioneer does not

i use an sta with my Pioneer

 

[CALI68]

Na, the profile of the Eclipse isn't any different than the Pioneer. If you have the few extra buck go for the Eclipse it's much more rugged and a better design IMO.

It does not however have the cool blue racing stripe that the Pioneer has.

-Chris

 

[Spoon]

The Eclipse uses the single tank adapter whereas the Pioneer does not. that accounts for the "gap". The smallest Pioneer wing is now a 27# and the smallest Eclipse is a 30#. Very similar in size, so the idea of one being bulkier than the other is moot.

If you really want a smaller wing, you might look into Dive Rites travel wing. I'm not sure what Oxycheq or others may be offering in small sizes.

I've been fighting this same battle myself, but have come to the conclusion that I will just get a pioneer wing setup to start with on a single Al80. And when I move to doubles, I'll get something different. Neither of these is really suited to doubles anyway, so the only true benefits are that the Eclipse is tougher and can use a weighted STA. In basic open water, thats a pretty thin argument. the difference in cost will pay for an SPG. At least that's how I am justifying it!

Good luck to you.

i have in fact been researching on the dive rite travel wing, i was suppose to get this one but having borrowed the pioneer of my friend, i was very, very satisfied with it. having only used this pioneer from very first dive to current. its the only bc i have used since i started so im quite happy with it. me getting a halcyon is my only option.

the pioneer i used had no sta, so i dont think the sta in the eclipse would be a plus factor for me in deciding. anyway i think il just wait for the gear to arrive. bet it will be easier if both of em are right in front of me. will update ya guys.

 

[PerroneFord]

i use an sta with my Pioneer

Didn't mean to imply you *can't* use it, just that the Pioneer wings are designed not to NEED one, whereas the Eclipse one does need one.

Why are you using the STA?? Weight?

 

[CALI68]

me getting a halcyon is my only option.

That's a good thing.

 

[Spoon]

Na, the profile of the Eclipse isn't any different than the Pioneer. If you have the few extra buck go for the Eclipse it's much more rugged and a better design IMO.

It does not however have the cool blue racing stripe that the Pioneer has.

-Chris

never noticed the cool racing stripe where is it located?