Eclipse vs Pioneer wings

[Shovelbum]

I'm going to be getting my first BC soon, and after diving a friend's DIR setup, i've decided to go that route. I'm looking at the Halcyon eclipse and the pioneer and wanted to get a little input on the two. I've read quite a lot here espousing one or the other, but not a direct comparison of the two. The major differences I've seen talked about are the fact that the eclipse is more rugged, but the pioneer needs no STA. There is also a price differential of $80 according to places I've seen them for sale. Is the eclipse worth the extra cash? Give me some input.

Thanks a lot
Tom

 

[bcsean]

well, the eclipse is slightly different shape, more uniform top and bottom, and is stronger due to the bladder being in a case. I've heard of some peopel with Pioneer who end up getting STA anyway, so not sure if that's a big selling feature. I'm interested to follow this thread too though, as I'm still deciding between the two. Right now I'm leaning toward the pioneer again.

 

[PonyBottle]

I have both the Pioneer and the Eclipse. I love em both!

But if you are deciding between the two, I recommend the Eclipse.

And yea, I got the STA for my Pioneer!

Either way you decide to go, you'll be a happy diver!

IMO...the Eclipse is worth the extra $$

 

[CRDiver]

Get the Eclipse. Our local Halcyon dealer has experienced punctures of the Pioneer with relatively minor use. The protective outer bag is worth the money. I would bet the Pioneer will be discontinued sometime in the near future.

 

[SDAnderson]

I'm going to be getting my first BC soon, and after diving a friend's DIR setup, i've decided to go that route. I'm looking at the Halcyon eclipse and the pioneer and wanted to get a little input on the two. I've read quite a lot here espousing one or the other, but not a direct comparison of the two. The major differences I've seen talked about are the fact that the eclipse is more rugged, but the pioneer needs no STA. There is also a price differential of $80 according to places I've seen them for sale. Is the eclipse worth the extra cash? Give me some input.

Thanks a lot
Tom

The STA-less design has been controversial ever since it came out. Many Pioneer divers, especially those with larger tanks, have experienced problems with tanks wobbling or actually coming loose. Adapting the Pioneer for use with a STA requires cutting the fabric and removing a couple of plastic rods, a problem since knives and wings are generally not two items I like associating with each other.

There are also concerns about the Eclipse and it's double-bag design. Salt-water divers know that salt crystals trapped at the interstice between the layers works on the fabric like sandpaper, grinding it down. Heavy rinsing is required. As a freshwater diver (living in Chicago and all) this probably won't be much of an issue.

If you've read a lot about both of them, what issues remain unresolved for you that will be resolved by a direct comparison? This is one of those instances where you need to figure out what issues and features are most important to you and then make your own decision. Personally, I own a Pioneer and have been moderately disappointed with it but don't plan to replace it - I don't use it enough to warrant the aggravation and risk. That said, if I was making the decision today, I'd probably pick the Eclipse out of the Halcyon line but I'd also be taking a close look at some of the offerings from their competitors, too.

Welcome to the board, by the way. Always good to hear from another Great Lakes diver, especially one in my own back yard.

 

[HammerNoMore]

well, the eclipse is slightly different shape, more uniform top and bottom, and is stronger due to the bladder being in a case.

It's not so much that it's stronger the removable bladder makes it more repairable. That said, I've had no problems with my Pioneer. YMMV

I haven't been able to take a look at the Eclipse yet but someone on here who had said it looked less streamlined.

I've heard of some peopel with Pioneer who end up getting STA anyway, so not sure if that's a big selling feature.

Some people think that the tank is not stable with the built in STA. Personally I think it's all in their heads. My tank is always rock solid on my back. I use an SS bp and without an extra STA I'm a little overweighted in warm fresh water. Adding an STA would just make matters worse for me which is enough reason to keep me on the Pioneer.

James

 

[MASS-Diver]

My buddy just ordered an Eclipse from EE yesterday, I've very intested to see how he likes it. Since we dive dry in cold water, we always use STAs.

That said, I dove a pionner for a while and it was very nice wing as well, I neve had any trouble with punctures.

 

[GUEdiver]

My Pioneer has over 200 dives on it. I had one pinhole leak develop recently where a lower corner of the backplate rubbed it over time, probably because I stuff it in a soft gear bag instead of carefully stowing it. The pinhole leak was fixed in 5 minutes with a dab of Aquaseal.

I haven't had the opportunity to dive the Eclipse yet, but I'm sure you will love either one. My Pioneer is well worn and I dearly love it. It has been more than worth the money. You win either way.

 

[SDAnderson]

Some people think that the tank is not stable with the built in STA. Personally I think it's all in their heads.

Pllbbttbtbt! :60:

 

[reubencahn]

Had to make this decision a few weeks ago for my wife and son's rigs. Eventually, I chose the Eclipse. I had heard complaints (perhaps apocryphal) about pinholes in Pioneers and, in any case, thought the extra durability of a separate shell made sense. I'll admit, I hadn't thought about the salt crystal issue. Anyway, the Eclipse is very nice. In the 30#, the profile is very small and the new stainless inflater is sweet. On the other hand, a GUE instructor at the shop where I made the purchase told me that the Pioneer was her favorite wing because it is more "responsive."