Halcyon vs Dive Rite BP/wing for open water diving

[Henryville]

Neither- #9FredT




ok, too late

I haven't used Dive Rite, but I do have Halcyon, Fred T, an Abyss doubles wing, and assorted other stuff.

On plates, one of the things I like about the FredT plates is the range of thicknesses and therefore weights they come in. You can dial in the weight that way, add his heavy steel STA, and get yourself pretty close to the weight you need without weight belts or pockets. For example, his heaviest steel plate (a 3/8" thick monster) is something like 16 pounds by itself, 21 with the heavy STA.

As others have done, I'd encourage you to use the Hogarthian rig of a single piece of webbing rather than a harness.

On the wings, I like the donut designs like the Halcyon Eclipse. I don't like the donut for doubles. Whichever way you go, don't overdo the lift on the wing. For a single Aluminum 80, anything more than 30 pounds starts to be overkill and added drag.

 

[Hoosier]

It sounds like the most important is your WTP in your choice, not which setup is better.

As for the single tank diving, you always need more weight even with a heavy steel tank. So, you don't need to concern too much about STA... It used to give more weight.

Except DR Rec wing, all single designed wings from several manufactures are good to serve as a single wing without a taco effect.

As a whole set, I choose Halcyon because of their customer service and resale value. But, you have to pay the premium for "H" logos, not "Hoosier" logo... LOL~~

As for the plate, I recommend, Fred T and Tobin's ones. They also provide three different size of plates depending on your body spec. and more flexible weight option.

 

[cesar]

Not sure if it was just me, but I have noticed that the way that the Dive Rite plates edges are cut for the webbing it is very sharp...making it when there was enough rubbing friction it started to cut through the webbing. My Halcyon plate does not do this at all.

 

[Hoosier]

Not sure if it was just me, but I have noticed that the way that the Dive Rite plates edges are cut for the webbing it is very sharp...making it when there was enough rubbing friction it started to cut through the webbing.

No. you aren't alone. I believe that it has been discussed once here. And, the bike tubing method has been followed up...

 

[DennisS]

Not sure if it was just me, but I have noticed that the way that the Dive Rite plates edges are cut for the webbing it is very sharp...making it when there was enough rubbing friction it started to cut through the webbing. My Halcyon plate does not do this at all.

I have a DR aluminum plate with an Oxycheq signature wing, I just checked the edges and they look fine, well rounded.

 

[ShakaZulu]

I don't like Diverite because they do not de-burr the edges of the cutouts for the harness. This results in the harness getting cut, and will eventually have to be replaced. I would go with the DSS plate. On the wing, they are all the same, except for the ones that have double bladders and all that fancy stuff.

 

[wunat]

I dive the Rec Wing. It works for me, but I think I'd rather have a donut shaped wing for air dispersion -...................

Same here. But I am more or less used to having to have some minor shifting of body position when venting the wing.

The wing itself seems very tough and well made though. And in the end I may be very glad I bought it as I plan on doubling my two AL80's once I buy one more steel tank. That should give me enough air... and I believe the Rec should be able to handle two AL80's.

Again, I would say the same. I am planning of setting up my RecWing with double AL80's myself so the good thing is I don't have to go out and seek for a new wing then.

ATM, with the Rec and a DR SS plate, I do not need a STA. I thought I did for a while, but tightening up the crotch strap really pulled the tank valve and first stage comfortably away. The STA may align up a tank automatically, but I find that with my two steel-buckle straps it just takes an initial alignment of the tank, and locking it down, to keep it straight for the dive.

With the current DR SS Plate and RecWing, I didn't need a STA. Personally, I haven't really felt any instability from the tank. But I might actually get one when I will be switching regularly from singles to double.

When I was getting my DR setup, I didn't know much about BP+Wing. It just happens that I got a pretty good offer for a DR setup so I simply went ahead. I can't say anything about Halcyon since I don't have first hand experiences with it. But for my DR, I can say I am happy with it and will not hesitate to recommend them.

 

[mahjong]

Overall, IMHO, Halcyon is a superior product (and I could explain in detail, but I won't here). This does not mean that DR is not perfectly fine, and if cost is an issue, DR might be the best way to go for you. I prefer to mix and match, as I like some things and not others with one manufacturer or another--and I like to try different things. For example, I have not found a webbing I would use other than Halcyon's, as it is both tough and pliable and does not get soggy when wet--whereas most other webbing these days is thick and stiff and a nightmare to adjust. And then because I use LP95s, the only STA that fits on these shorter tanks is Oxycheq's lightweight STA (if there is another one where both cam band slots fit safely on the flat part of the tank, I have not found it). And I wouldn't use a bladderless wing, so the Halcyon wing I have is the Eclipse, which requires an STA. For a built-in STA, I go with the OMS 32# wing--very nice and more rugged than both Halcyon and DR. And ideally I like a shorter BP for warm water diving, so that meant FredT. Point: with either DR or Halcyon for a single tank setup, be prepared to tinker and modify, perhaps. Whereas it seems some other manufacturers have taken pains to design single tank setups good to go in most if not all situations--DSS, Golem. If you want it simple and solid but a PITA to get right, DR and Halcyon would both be great. If you want it simple and solid and easy, perhaps DSS and Golem might be the way to go. Your choice--and there are many to choose from.

 

[LavaSurfer]

DSS single tank rig.

www.deepseasupply.com

Don't rule out the new guys (Oxycheq, DSS, Golem, etc...) You may find they have features the big two don't. Cheers

Edit - oh, and no you don't need an STA with the DSS rig and it has optional weight plates to bring the total BP weight up to about 13 pounds. It's a very cool design, a great place to put weights, and a basically perfect single tank rig all the way around. Saves you some money over H too.

Humu

I picked up my DSS Single setup today. I can't wait to get it wet.
I got the Hog Harness. Hope that was a good call. This thing looks like its built well!

Everyone at the shop and School were drooling all over it. Good test for the stainless.

Scooter

 

[daniel f aleman]

DSS is far superior to the brands that you are considering. And I like the Knighthawk style best of all for open water non-technical diving.