Halcyon Backplate or Transpac II

[Northeastwrecks]

Thanks for all of your input.

I called my shop. They owner is loaning me his Transpac II for the weekend. In addition, one of the Instructors has offered the use of his Halcyon for Saturday.

One of the nicest things about this Board is the ability to get good advice from divers. Once again, thank you.

 

[noshow]

I just went through the analyzing and over analyzing the "which BC to buy?" issue. Four dives with the Halcyon Pioneer 35 solved that.

I'll be interested in your choice...

 

[Northeastwrecks]

Based on what I've heard, my research and the replies to this thread, I'm leaning towards the Halcyon. However, I want to give the Dive Rite a chance as I've heard good things about it.

 

[poolah]

Guess my info was wrong.... sorry bout that. I was considering getting a Dive Rite before purchasing the Halcyon. The local dealer over here said that an STA was needed. My apologies....

 

[noshow]

Originally posted by Northeastwrecks
Based on what I've heard, my research and the replies to this thread, I'm leaning towards the Halcyon. However, I want to give the Dive Rite a chance as I've heard good things about it.

You know what you like.... go in with an unbiased mind and TRY BOTH for at least 2+ dives each. Like I said, I am interested in your choice as I never gave the Dive Rite a chance after using the Halcyon singles set up...

 

[Northeastwrecks]

Dear Noshow:

You're absolutely right. I've snagged both rigs for the entire weekend. I'm hoping to get in at least two dives each day.

Thanks again.

 

[noshow]

Northeastwrecks,

Make sure that the Halcyon rig you are borrowing is fittted properly for you. Get the generous person who is lending it to you to help you with fitting it properly as it takes some initial tinkering to fit it; unlike the generic adjustable straps on the Transpac. A proper fit will give you a proper demo and it doesn't take long.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[wheezy]

I really like the TPII.... REALLY LIKE IT... super comfortable ... easy to set up and very modular. Capable of anything I'll be diving in the next ten years.

Both are great systems, but make sure you try both before deciding.

Either way you can't really go wrong though.

Good Luck

 

[dlarbale]

All,

I'm still going through the TransPac II / SS BP decision. I've even bought the SS BP and all the SS hardware.

Basically my mind was all set on the SS BP and then I saw a presentation on Cave Diving in the Nullabor. The way the guys setup there is with independant twins on a TransPac II.

This method is used so that the cylinders can be passed into the cave system one at a time which in itself is a major muscle job - you wouldn't want to attempt it with banded doubles (also, the cylinders are occasionally dropped (!) due to the slippery surfaces, manifolded doubles wouldn't stand up to this type of abuse!).

Once inside they can set everything up, go for the dive, dismantle everything and pass the single cylinders out again.

Now I might be wrong here (and I hope I am as I've got a $100 SS door stop at the moment), but with a SS BP you can't set up independant (un-banded) cylinders. So are you going to carry your bands, spanner (wrench), and manifold into the cave and attempt to get it set up right?

Just my 2 pence worth - Dave.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by dlarbale
So are you going to carry your bands, spanner (wrench), and manifold into the cave and attempt to get it set up right?

So Dave... are you going to be diving these systems?
And to answer your question... you certainly could take the stuff and set the doubles up in the cave... but then you would have to fill them.

But lets face it... most of your diving will not be in systems like this and if you are really an exploration diver you will have a lot more setups that just one SS BP or one transpak... right?... having one extra SS backplate is hardly a show stopper!