Halcyon Eclipse and DSS

[cool_hardware52]

Hi Tobin,
I was refering to the comfort harness and I was also told by some Dir guys that because your plate have "tough thermoplastic elastomer grommets over molded, permanently bonded to plate for zero webbing wear." There is a chance that these grommets however tough they are, may have problems in the future.

Cheers,

SangP

I guess my fundies instructor didn't get the memo


We do make some items, very few, that are distinctly non DIR compliant. That's quite different from declaring DSS to be non DIR.



Tobin


Tobin

 

[Green_Manelishi]

Mark,

Here's my suggestion...

Get Tobin's complete SS plate/30# wing/ hog harness. You'll love it! Order one today and be done with it.

What he said.

and I will add ..

I have a DSS LCD30 and it rocks.

I've met Tobin and I have no doubt his plates and harnesses rock as well. I'd buy a plate 'cept I own three already (OMS stainless with STA and 2 Fred T als with 2 piece STA) and my wife would probably have a fit if I bought a 4th.

 

[neophyte]

I'm new to the bp/wing setup (one dive so far, yesterday) but I couldn't be happier with it. All the people on the board singing its praises are not exaggerating one whit. You're already convinced though, that's not what you asked about.

A few days ago I was in the same position as you, trying to decide between the various makes and models available for use with single tanks. My LDS was pushing Halcyon, and I'd handled both the Eclipse and Pioneer in the shop. I kept hearing good things about DSS though, and was impressed by what I found on the website and Tobin's knowledgeable, informed posts here on the board. Upon realizing that his manufacturing shop was only a short drive away I sent him a PM asking if I could stop by and check out his product. We spoke briefly on the phone; he was careful to make sure I understood that he was not running a retail operation there, but otherwise quite welcoming. I made an appointment to see him later that day.

Upon arrival I was greeted with the sort of treatment I would've expected to be reserved for diveshops contemplating large orders. Although clearly busy with various experiments (the results of which I can't wait to see) he took nearly an hour to explain every detail of his singles rig and the reasoning behind it. This is a man who understands diving intimately and has clearly devoted serious time to focusing his keen intellect on the equipment involved. His single rig is full of the sort of simple, straightforward innovations that truly deserve descriptions involving words like beautiful and brilliant. I'm tempted to try to pass on some of what I learned (and it was a lot) but I'm not sure I'd do it justice and would probably get some details wrong. Besides, he seems willing enough to share here on the board. I purchased a 30# system on the spot.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I will never, ever purchase anything from anywhere else that I can get a version of from him. And I can say, without reservation, that you would do the same if you had the opportunity I was lucky enough to have. I realize this post may read like hyperbole, but I assure you it's not.

My $0.02. Thanks for reading,
Adam

 

[SangP]

I guess my fundies instructor didn't get the memo


We do make some items, very few, that are distinctly non DIR compliant. That's quite different from declaring DSS to be non DIR.



Tobin


Tobin

Hi Tobin,

I thought that you would not be doing DIR LOL!
However, I do apologise if my statement appeared as a blanket that all your stuff wasn't DIR as it was not intended as such.

If you did fundies I guess that I would have to do so too LOL! I was under the distinct impression in some previous mails that you would not be doing DIR... dang I think I would have to seriously consider doing fundies.

Anyway, Mark you can clearly see that Tobin is very responsive to all your mails and I do agree that his wings look more streamline. The only difference is that they aren't donut if it makes a difference to you and in the end it's all about getting stuff from guys you trust.

For $445 you get the single setup that allows you to use a single tank without an STA.

All those manufactures I have mentioned are pretty good and it's just a matter of comparing between apples LOL!!

Best of luck in chosing your rig.

SangP

 

[GreenDiverDown]

We do make some items, very few, that are distinctly non DIR compliant. That's quite different from declaring DSS to be non DIR.

So does Halcyon. As a matter of fact, they make more 'non-DIR compliant gear' than you!

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Well, the lcd30 rear dump has a little plastic thing attached to it so that it's easier to pull,

My first two Halcyon wings came with something similar. They came off real easy.

Also, the inner bladder is not made of the type of material that WKPP divers traditionally use, but I'm not sure whether it would be considered un-DIR. Personally I like it better than the Halcyon material because it looks easier to repair.

I have no idea about that one.

Also DIR divers don't use independent doubles, so those doubles slots on the DSS plate would be redundant for a committed DIR diver.

These are simply slots in the backplate. If you don't use them for independant doubles they are fine... no harm no foul so to speak. It would be the same as not using the slots cut for STA-less wings. I use an STA so I don't put cam bands through those slots. That doesn't make my plate non-DIR.

Sorry... just playing devil's advocate.

 

[modivin]

Hi Tobin,

I thought that you would not be doing DIR LOL!
However, I do apologise if my statement appeared as a blanket that all your stuff wasn't DIR as it was not intended as such.

If you did fundies I guess that I would have to do so too LOL! I was under the distinct impression in some previous mails that you would not be doing DIR... dang I think I would have to seriously consider doing fundies.

Anyway, Mark you can clearly see that Tobin is very responsive to all your mails and I do agree that his wings look more streamline. The only difference is that they aren't donut if it makes a difference to you and in the end it's all about getting stuff from guys you trust.

For $445 you get the single setup that allows you to use a single tank without an STA.

All those manufactures I have mentioned are pretty good and it's just a matter of comparing between apples LOL!!

Best of luck in chosing your rig.

SangP

SangP,
Thanks. The donut vs. horsehoe shape for me isn't as much a concern. I don't think I would have an issue with one or the other. The one thing I do like about Tobin's ofering is the ProFit harness and the quick release it affords. I'm not sure the Hog set-up is right for me yet. Halcyon doesn't offer a QR harness (I don't think) And you are right; at the end of the day when you lay down your cash, it boils down to guys you trust and the business relationships you establish. I know, I'm in sales rep myself. I'm leaning towards DSS becasue I like small business and know how hard it is. I also like Tobin's timely and knowledgable replies.

 

[SangP]

Steven,

Playing the devil's avocate can be hazardous to your mental health LOL... there are many die hard DIR supporters here and H is as good as made in Heaven... such sacrilege LOL!!!

Tobin designs his gear to what he feels is suits his diving style and its for the buyer to choose if the rig is something he or she is confortable with.

I'm sure the handles on the Hammerhead plate isn't dir nor is the rig setup properly on their site... if only d rings could be that high up LOL!

As I said on my previous posts I would have probably gotten Tobin's rig if he had an al plate.

Nuff said,

Like the Italian vegetable seller says, good, good, they all good.

SangP

 

[modivin]

I'm new to the bp/wing setup (one dive so far, yesterday) but I couldn't be happier with it. All the people on the board singing its praises are not exaggerating one whit. You're already convinced though, that's not what you asked about.

A few days ago I was in the same position as you, trying to decide between the various makes and models available for use with single tanks. My LDS was pushing Halcyon, and I'd handled both the Eclipse and Pioneer in the shop. I kept hearing good things about DSS though, and was impressed by what I found on the website and Tobin's knowledgeable, informed posts here on the board. Upon realizing that his manufacturing shop was only a short drive away I sent him a PM asking if I could stop by and check out his product. We spoke briefly on the phone; he was careful to make sure I understood that he was not running a retail operation there, but otherwise quite welcoming. I made an appointment to see him later that day.

Upon arrival I was greeted with the sort of treatment I would've expected to be reserved for diveshops contemplating large orders. Although clearly busy with various experiments (the results of which I can't wait to see) he took nearly an hour to explain every detail of his singles rig and the reasoning behind it. This is a man who understands diving intimately and has clearly devoted serious time to focusing his keen intellect on the equipment involved. His single rig is full of the sort of simple, straightforward innovations that truly deserve descriptions involving words like beautiful and brilliant. I'm tempted to try to pass on some of what I learned (and it was a lot) but I'm not sure I'd do it justice and would probably get some details wrong. Besides, he seems willing enough to share here on the board. I purchased a 30# system on the spot.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I will never, ever purchase anything from anywhere else that I can get a version of from him. And I can say, without reservation, that you would do the same if you had the opportunity I was lucky enough to have. I realize this post may read like hyperbole, but I assure you it's not.

My $0.02. Thanks for reading,
Adam

Adam,

Thanks for sharing. Pretty much everything I've read about DSS is positive. I appreciate you taking the time to post your experience. Do they make/assemble
everything on site at their shop? I'd like to meet Tobin if I'm ever in the LA area again.
Let me know how you make out on the rigging/fitting and how well you like your setup!!


Regards,
Mark

 

[aquaoren]

FWIW, I have 2 Halcyon wings. A Pioneer and an Explorer.
I'm very happy with the quality of those wings and with the Customer support and service of Halcyon.