Halcyon lift capacities

[amc717]

I hope you could educate me with my ignorance on the matter.

I was looking at the Halcyon website and thinking of getting a Pioneer or Eclipse. Can you explain to me, since I'm a newbie, what the lift capacity is all about.

I normally dive in warm temperature. What then would be the right lift capacity for me?

Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[mwilding]

Single tank?

You want a Pioneer 27 probably or 36. The 45 is for cold water and extra gear such as ponies...

 

[amc717]

Yup, single tank only.

I don't think tech diving is in my horizon yet. More of recreational.

So the lift is more to compensate the add-ons I will be bringing down?

 

[norcaldiver]

Yes and no. I adjust my weight if I take my camera, so I don't concider it compensation for extras...it's more compensation for depth. The deeper you get the more bouyancy you need to stay neutral, but even a small BC should be enough if you're weighted right.

 

[jplacson]

amc, lift capacity of a BC is there to counter (or compensate...hence the name buoyancy compensator) the amount of lead/weight you wear on your weight belt.

generally, we wear weights to make us sink... our bodies & wetsuits are buoyant, and keep us from sinking... but past a certain depth, wetsuits compress due to pressure, and lose their buoyancy... so we then become negative... that's where our BCs come into play... we then inflate to compensate for the buoyancy we lose due to compression.

Diving in warm waters, the Pioneer 27 or Eclipse 30 should be enough for you. Even with ponies. (Assuming you're weighted properly)

... it's a common misconception that MORE lift in a BC is better... since you'd be "prepared for almost anything" ... this is NOT the case.

Anyway, an experienced diver can easily manage with even less lift... the older Halcyon 'Batwing' only had 18 pounds of lift... But since a lot of divers felt 'unsafe' with such a small wing, they discontinued it and kept the slightly larger Pioneer 27.

The Eclipse has a little more lift (30 vs 27) and is a bit bulkier due to the addition of the outer protective nylon bag. The Pioneer has the advantage of having a slightly smaller profile, and no need for a tank adapter (The Eclipse needs a tank adapter)