Getting it on

[hydro212]

Now that I have your attention, I'm considering purchasing a Halcyon Secure Harness, SS BP, and Pioneer wing. My question is; without any adjustability in the shoulder straps, how easy is it to get on? It seems that if they were loose enough to allow ease of donning then once it was on it would move around quite a bit and not feel secure especially without a chest strap. And if they were adjusted to a snug fit it seems that it would take the help of at least one other person and some axle grease to get it on your back.

I understand and like the "fewer failure points" idea, and I really like the straight forward, no frills, clean lines of the harness, but if I'm not going to be doing any hardcore tech diving (maybe dabble in it but nothing extreme, mostly recreational diving) would I be more comfortable in an OMS Comfort Harness or a Dive Rite Transplate Harness?

I want to make sure that what I am investing so much money into is both functional and enjoyable to use.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Now that I have your attention, I'm considering purchasing a Halcyon Secure Harness, SS BP, and Pioneer wing. My question is; without any adjustability in the shoulder straps, how easy is it to get on? It seems that if they were loose enough to allow ease of donning then once it was on it would move around quite a bit and not feel secure especially without a chest strap. And if they were adjusted to a snug fit it seems that it would take the help of at least one other person and some axle grease to get it on your back.

I understand and like the "fewer failure points" idea, and I really like the straight forward, no frills, clean lines of the harness, but if I'm not going to be doing any hardcore tech diving (maybe dabble in it but nothing extreme, mostly recreational diving) would I be more comfortable in an OMS Comfort Harness or a Dive Rite Transplate Harness?

I want to make sure that what I am investing so much money into is both functional and enjoyable to use.

When properly adjusted, the harness isn't at all difficult to get into and out of. The trick is to leave just enough slack in the shoulders to be able to slide your arms into.

Easiest way is to lower yourself down a bit more than you'd be used to getting into a BCD and move your arms up and back through the straps, then when you stand up the unit just slides onto your shoulders. It takes a bit of practice, but not much, to get the hang of it.

I dived the TransPlate harness for a while (more than a couple hundred dives) before going to a one-piece harness, and while the feel is different, it's no easier or more comfortable than the one-piece (in a drysuit). I still use the TransPlate harness for warm-water trips.

The big advantage to the one-piece harness is that when you wear out the straps (and you WILL, regardless which harness you purchase), it's about $15 worth of standard 2" webbing to replace it ... a new TransPlate harness will run you slightly more than $100.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[KenMusick]

I just recently bought the one piece harness, just because it really wasnt an issue donning and doffing. especially if you have a buddy help you, just like trying on a suit/jacket. It is by far the most comfortable in water anything I have ever used. When getting out of the water just float the rig slip out of it and hand it up.

Note on the quick release shoulders. I know it is a potential failure point, but my dive shop guru, who by the way is a serious, and I mean serious tek diver, has only seen one ever fail, and that was because someone dropped a full steel 120 on it. I don't think they would ever be an issue, I just didn't need one.

 

[OneBrightGator]

It's kinda like a properly fitting suit jacket, there's an easy way and a hard way to put it on and take it off. I usually hook my elbows in the straps, get low and slide up into it, then reverse to get out. It's not as easy as undoing two QR buckles, but it's worth it to me.

 

[Muzzwezz]

Now that I have your attention, I'm considering purchasing a Halcyon Secure Harness, SS BP, and Pioneer wing. My question is; without any adjustability in the shoulder straps, how easy is it to get on? It seems that if they were loose enough to allow ease of donning then once it was on it would move around quite a bit and not feel secure especially without a chest strap. And if they were adjusted to a snug fit it seems that it would take the help of at least one other person and some axle grease to get it on your back.

I understand and like the "fewer failure points" idea, and I really like the straight forward, no frills, clean lines of the harness, but if I'm not going to be doing any hardcore tech diving (maybe dabble in it but nothing extreme, mostly recreational diving) would I be more comfortable in an OMS Comfort Harness or a Dive Rite Transplate Harness?

I want to make sure that what I am investing so much money into is both functional and enjoyable to use.

In a DIR video i saw that they were getting in and out of the BP by lifting it up and over their head. This means that you dont do the usual one arm in and then the other. This seemed to work fine.

 

[Diver0001]

In a DIR video i saw that they were getting in and out of the BP by lifting it up and over their head. This means that you dont do the usual one arm in and then the other. This seemed to work fine.

That's a good way to hurt your back, especially if you're lifting from the ground.

I do what Bob and Ben do. Put the kit up on something and get down low and slip up into it. Getting out is pretty much the reverse only it helps to put one hand through first, especially with drygloves on.

And there's no shame and getting your buddy to help you.

R..

 

[hydro212]

What about the use/need of a chest strap? Would a chest strap help secure the shoulder straps and keep them from moving too far apart or is it just a marketing device?

Also, what about shoulder pads? Does the bare 2" webbing do damage to your wet suit? And is the unit more comfortable to wear with the shoulders padded?

And the Halcyon has a wide crotch strap. Is a more narrow crotch strap likely to do less damage to your wetsuit and be more comfortable?

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

What about the use/need of a chest strap? Would a chest strap help secure the shoulder straps and keep them from moving too far apart or is it just a marketing device?

Not needed ... if the harness is adjusted properly the shoulder straps lay right where you'd want them to.

Also, what about shoulder pads? Does the bare 2" webbing do damage to your wet suit? And is the unit more comfortable to wear with the shoulders padded?

Comfort shouldn't be an issue. Some people prefer adding thin neoprene sleeves over the webbing. I haven't really noticed any wear without it.

And the Halcyon has a wide crotch strap. Is a more narrow crotch strap likely to do less damage to your wetsuit and be more comfortable?

I use both the 1" and 2" crotch strap on various rigs ... and there's not really any noticeable difference in the comfort level. I would recommend choosing soft webbing for your crotch strap ... or better yet, just ordering one pre-made. Dive Rite makes a nice one for a reasonable price. I've even got one that does come with a thin neoprene sleeve (haven't used it yet though).

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

Ditto what most others said. I keep my rig fairly loose and it still doesn't move around.

While seated on a boat bench with my rig behind me, I can go one arm at a time with no problem. I can also slide down a bit, put both arms through the webbing and then move back up and into the rig.

The crotch strap only needs to be tight enough to keep the rig from riding up on you when you invert.

 

[OneBrightGator]

In a DIR video i saw that they were getting in and out of the BP by lifting it up and over their head. This means that you dont do the usual one arm in and then the other. This seemed to work fine.

Come do that with my double 104s without hurting yourself and you can have them