Halcyon backplate for warm water diving - aluminum or steel?

[NJdiver85]

Just wondering, but it seems to me that the steel backplate from Halcyon is not suitable to warm water diving with a single tank, due to its greater negative buoyancy and the need for sufficient ditchable weight. Is the aluminum backplate generally better in these situations?

 

[detroit diver]

The difference between the AL and SS plate is 5 lbs.

My opinion is that you'll need more than 5 lbs anyway, and the extra will be used as ditchable. I actually bought an AL plate for the reason you state, and have never used it! I like to take the extra weight off my belt and put it on my back. The trim for me is perfect horizontal (I wish I could look that good diving doubles and a drysuit!!!). I dive a shorty wetsuit and either use 6 lb in a keel weight, or on a weight belt. The keel weight is not ditchable, but I can easily swim up this rig with no problem at all. I also use a cannister light which I could ditch if I had to.

One of these days I'll sell the AL plate........

 

[100days-a-year]

Mostly Warm water diver,I use S/S plate exclusively.The only ditchable I have in a skin is usually a speargun ,stringer and flashlight ,but with only a 7# swing I can swim up a full tank.

 

[DPhantomas]

SO what's the reasson to get the AL one?
My LDS is telling me this is the one everybody take, and that it is easier to take care of, as it does not get rusty

 

[detroit diver]

DP,

The SS plate won't get rusty either.

I can't think of a good reason to use an AL plate. It forces you to put more weight on your belt. I'd rather have it on my back for trim purposes.

 

[caverkevin]

The only reason to use the AL plate is when your weight needs are already met by the rest of your equipment. As the case with heavy steel doubles and large lights. Other than that use the SS. Every SS plate I have ever seen is made from SS that contains no iron. No iron = no rust. You only need removable weight when faced with large buoyancy changes at depth, ie. diving thick 2-piece wetsuits. If this is not the case, use the ss and be happy not to have the lead on your waist.

Kevin Jones

 

[DPhantomas]

Good answers!!!

I was just thinking the same, like having the weight in on my back should aid to the trim.
I guess both Halcyon and Transpac BPs contain no iron...

 

[FredT]

Originally posted by caverkevin
Every SS plate I have ever seen is made from SS that contains no iron. No iron = no rust.

Kevin Jones

ALL austinitic (300 series) Stainless steels contain about 70% iron, plus or minus a bit. Even the "superaustinitic" steels are over 50% iron. The major differences are the trace elements like carbon, moly, manganese, silicon, and aluminum. To be relatively free of iron you'd have to use Inconel, Hastelloy, Monel or one of the more exotic cupronickel alloys, at up to 10X the cost.

ALL stainless steels corrode at about the same rate as carbon steel in salt water, the difference is that the corrosion products don't stick as well to stainless steels, thus it's "stain-less". 316L is _almost_ "stain-proof" but it still corrodes. Testing shows that the mils per year metal loss on 300 series stainless not electrically driven and immersed in sea water is about the same as M1020 hot rolled mild steel under similar conditions.

FT

BTW tbg, If you want to look at getting a stainless plate please check out mine. You may find yourself saving many $ over the "store brand" and end up with a more flexible rig.

 

[DPhantomas]

tbg, what size of wings are you planning to use?

I cannot decide beween the 27 and 36 Halcyon Pioneers

 

[caverkevin]

DPhantomas-

I would go for the 27. That wing has covered everything I have ever needed it for. The 36 would only be needed if you diviing with LOTS of neoprene on your body. The big draw back of the 36 or 45 is the colored side panels are a lighter nylon material compared to the black parts. That kinda makes me wonder about durablity. I have talked to a few people that dive the 36 and pretty much all of them wished they had gotten the 27.

FredT-

Do you have a website or other listing for you products? I would like to see what you have to offer and prices.

Kevin Jones