Halcyon Eclipse and DSS

[midwestdvr]

Consider me a DSS rig fan as well. Mind you, this is my first BP/W but finally got some seawater diving this last weekend in coooold Monterrey waters. First dive was a learning experience as I didn't have the harness adjusted right and was overweighted. But the second dive was where the rig finally showed me I made the right decision to switch to BP/W. It was easier to maintain a horizontal position although I still have to relocate some weights so I can have a better trim. I also liked the narrower profile of the DSS rig as compared to the diverite set-up my DM has (he has bungied wings so I don't know if they were diverite as well). I consider this rig the best thing I've ever bought so far.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

A couple of thoughts --

First, someone mentioned above that FredT is no longer in business (Fred makes AL and SS backplates and other hardware). That is not the case. While lead times may be longer for certain things (he was hit hard by the hurricane -- located on Mississippi gulf coast), he is open for business. ftagge@acadiacom.net

Yes, I was wrong. It seems Fred is back up and running. My apologies. I really thought that he was down for the count. Very glad to see that he's back! Thanks L_D!

It also appears as if I am going to get my steel that was lost in Katrina. Yahoo! Another couple of FredT plates... yah, baby! A fatty for me and a shorty for my boy!

 

[BigTuna]

Modivin, I'm glad you started this thread. I'm in exactly the same position as you, with a Seaquest Pro Unlimited Jacket.

Some STA questions for any takers about the DSS LCD 30 singles BP/wing system:

- Although the system is designed not to need a STA, wouldn't the tank have at least a little wobble to it? How many of these DSS BP/wing systems get STAs added later, and why?

- If a different brand of wing (e.g., Oxycheq Signature) is used with the DSS backplate, would the backplate design make a STA unnecessary for it, too?

 

[fishb0y]

I don't know about other brands, but the DSS is rock solid, no wobble at all

 

[*Floater*]

Modivin, I'm glad you started this thread. I'm in exactly the same position as you, with a Seaquest Pro Unlimited Jacket.

Some STA questions for any takers about the DSS LCD 30 singles BP/wing system:

- Although the system is designed not to need a STA, wouldn't the tank have at least a little wobble to it? How many of these DSS BP/wing systems get STAs added later, and why?

- If a different brand of wing (e.g., Oxycheq Signature) is used with the DSS backplate, would the backplate design make a STA unnecessary for it, too?

I have the dss single rig, and have no wobble to report with AL80 and 15L steel tanks. No plans to add an STA. If you use another wing, then you'll need the STA. The advantage of an STA is that it's an easy way to add some weight to the plate if that's what you want to do and some people like to have the tank a little further up.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

- Although the system is designed not to need a STA, wouldn't the tank have at least a little wobble to it? How many of these DSS BP/wing systems get STAs added later, and why?

- If a different brand of wing (e.g., Oxycheq Signature) is used with the DSS backplate, would the backplate design make a STA unnecessary for it, too?

It's the wing and not the plate design that makes an STA unnecessary.

The DSS wing is rock solid. You can't wobble the tank at all. I mean not at all. There are these cradle-things on the wing that hold the tank at least as well if not better than an STA. the tank is very close to the plate and VERY stable.

As far as how many DSS singles rigs end up with STAs added, I'd venture to guess none. I'm not even sure how you would attach an STA with the wing cradles, but in any event, it would be a silly thing to do. You can add more weight with Tobin's weight plates, which are awesome, and you can't improve on the stability of the tank.

It's always the wing that determines need for STA or not. H Pioneer doesn't need one. Oxy Sig does. So if you put an Oxy wing on a DSS plate, you'd need/want an STA.

The DSS plate is pretty much like all other plates with some extra slots and the protective coverings on the webbing slots. There's nothing about the plate that makes it a STA-less singles plate or anything.

Hope that makes sense.

Gregg

 

[large_diver]

One other brief comment on this -- the Halcyon Pioneers do not require an STA; the new Halcyon Eclipse wings DO require an STA.

 

[BigTuna]

Thanks, Floater and Humuhumunukunukuapua'a.

I like everything I've picked up on the board about both the DSS and the Oxycheq singles wings. But I think I have a slight leaning toward the Oxycheq, because of the minor inverted venting benefits of the donut shape for me as a photographer.

Is there anything to watch out for in mating up the Oxycheq Signature wing with the DSS backplate? Any incompatibilities? Any problem installing the STA that would be necessary?

Would the Oxy wing behave well between the tank and the somewhat flatter profile of the DSS plate? I'm a little concerned that Tobin has consistent total-system design, and that replacing the wing might mess something up with system's behaviors. Would it be a perfect marriage?

Thoughts welcome.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

You can put an Oxy wing and STA on a DSS plate and a lot of people do. The biggest downside I see is that such a package will cost you a lot more than DSS package price for a singles rig because the plate and wing both cost more individually.

Personally, I'd get the DSS singles rig. I did get the DSS singles rig as a matter of fact. The donut/horseshoe thing is such a non issue. To get the air to even out across the two sides along the bottom, you have to go WAY head down to get the air to go under the tank. Add to that that Tobin's wing is narrower than any other singles wing on the market that I am aware of, and I just don't see the benefit. You can always dump air from the DSS wing effortlessly no matter which dump you use.

Trust me, you'll never, NEVER notice that you are unbalanced in a DSS wing because air is on one side or the other. Donut wings function as a horseshoe whenever you're swimming in any but the most head down position, and a DSS wing will even the air across the sides any time you are in a trim position, as will a donut. Frankly, I think a donut design is more of a currently trendy gimmick than anything. It's trivial to balance the air in a wing as slim as the DSS.

Do what you like, and either rig will be great, but you'll save some money and have a great system with the full DSS rig and you will NEVER notice a disadvantage to the horseshoe design, especially with your current dive experience. It's just a non-issue, frankly.

As far as the flatness of the plate and the Oxy wing, you are WAY overthinking the thing, my friend. The Oxy wing will work fine with a DSS plate. You'll love it no matter how you go. Don't get lost in the sauce.

 

[fishb0y]

Donut wings function as a horseshoe whenever you're swimming in any but the most head down position, and a DSS wing will even the air across the sides any time you are in a trim position, as will a donut. Frankly, I think a donut design is more of a currently trendy gimmick than anything. It's trivial to balance the air in a wing as slim as the DSS.

Oh no... I can see it starting again!
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=120012