Halcyon Infinity Observations

[jar546]

Now that I have approximately 12 dives and 16 hours on my new 40# Lift Halcyon, I have a few observations.

Out of the water, it is not as comfortable as the back inflate that I used. Since there is not a chest strap to tie the shoulder straps together, the shoulder straps seem to pull my shoulders back with a lot of pressure. The cinch system is still not broken in yet and even with the weight sitting on my tailgate by supporting my tank on it as recommended, it is still difficult to loosen after a dive. I have been following the directions in their videos and have read the manual. In the water it is wonderful and easy to use. My inflator, however seems to ride way up high. I even received a comment asking me why mine sits up so high on my should by another Halcyon Infinity user. That I cannot control or adjust, it is up by my shoulder still above the nipple line. I think it is something I will have to get use to (height of inflator) because my previous one was much lower. I don't see this as a problem. I just think that it will take some time to dial in my adjustments. By the way, I love the double straps for the single tank.

If anyone has any pointers or recommendations, I would appreciate it.

 

[Tortuga68]

Sounds like your shoulder straps may be too long/not tightened enough... that will cause the tank/wing to drop down your back, moving the inflator up towards your shoulder

Try wearing the rig without tank/regs and adjusting the straps without the extra weight. You should be able to touch the top of the backplate by reaching either hand down between your shoulder blades. If it's lower than that it's not in the right place

Also your crotch strap may be too short

 

[doctormike]

Sounds like your shoulder straps may be too long/not tightened enough... that will cause the tank/wing to drop down your back, moving the inflator up towards your shoulder

Try wearing the rig without tank/regs and adjusting the straps without the extra weight. You should be able to touch the top of the backplate by reaching either hand down between your shoulder blades. If it's lower than that it's not in the right place

Also your crotch strap may be too short

Tortuga speaks the truth. This may help:

BAUE How To Size a Backplate

You can also certainly adjust the rubber d-ring that holds the inflator, or possibly you don't have the right size inflator hose? Ask your dealer...

Good luck! I dive a Halcyon and I love it... I didn't actually like the Cinch system though. Added it after I had the backplate, and ended up taking it off and giving it away...

Mike

 

[TSandM]

Are you small-framed? For some of us, the slots in a standard backplate are too far apart, and it makes the straps of the harness ride over the ball of the shoulder joint, instead of in the nice hollow between the shoulder and the neck. You can solve that by crossing the straps behind your neck -- in other words, route the strap from the left-hand upper slot to the right-hand lower slot, and vice-versa. You need more webbing to do it, but it really helps with the "pulling on the shoulders" problem.

 

[Scubakevdm]

I would just have my left nipple relocated a couple of inches higher on my chest, but if that's not your cup of tea you may want to look into Tortuga's suggestion. That's where my money is. It also could be that you're used to an excessively long inflator. If I wrap my hand around my power inflator the bottom of my pinky is grazing the top of my aureola.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

If you have used a chest strap in the past, it will take several dives to get used to not having it. Once you do, you will notice that less is better (more freedom, one less thing to break) and that you don't need the chest strap. You have more stability with a properly fitted BP&Harness (when it is sized properly). Regular bc's use a chest strap to make up for the less stability & support.

Loosening the harness is just a Technique issue and once you get it, you'll be fine.

Shorter corrugated hose (should be positioned more towards the shoulder) leads to less dangling (typical BC's hoses are way to long) and better venting efficiency (although we don't dive that way). The way a lot of divers use a BP&W is by only using the inflator to inflate and all venting is done through the rear OPV (butt dump). This is the more efficient way to dive because you can keep more horizontal (more streamlined) which will lead to better control in the water. We shouldn't have to break trim to vent. You may not have the BC adjusted properly if it is up too high.

 

[jar546]

Did not know they had different length inflators. I am 5'11", 195# and athletic build, muscular so that may be the problem. I have already lowered the D rings on the chest straps but I think I will make more adjustments with the tank off. Where do you folks like your inflator to be at as far as how far down?

 

[TSandM]

If you stand up and hold your arms out at shoulder height, and then bend your elbows and bring your thumbs in to your chest, that's where the D-rings should sit.

 

[jar546]

I made some adjustments last night and will see how it works out this weekend. I think it will be a big improvement. I also spent some time breaking in the cinch system so that it adjusts easier. Now that I also moved my d-rings, I will have to adjust my side sling pony bottle setup but no big deal.

 

[jar546]

Have another 24 plus dives since that last post and adjustment.

More comfortable with the adjustments, better positioning. I was cinching too tight and slacked off a bit. Dove wet and dry from a 3mm to a drysuit with heavy undergarments and it adjusts just fine.

Still having an issue loosening the cinch system after the dive. Guess it needs to wear in a bit more.

Also, good customer service from Halcyon. One of my trim pocket snaps pulled out from where it is sewed. They sent me a new one without question and I returned the old one after I received theirs so i was not out of service.