Halcyon vs Dive Rite

[shin1999]

Hi I am planning to purchase BP/W System soon and I have very hard time deciding between these two. :huh: I just want to hear people's opinions. What do you think about these two and what are the pros and cons.

If there is discussion about it already, can I have the link if possible.

Thanks for your help.

 

[kidspot]

Are you looking at a single or doubles wing? I've used the Venture and Pioneer wings and prefer the size/profile of the Pioneer. While the Halcyon inflators have gotten a reputation for being "finiky" I must say I really like how slowly they inflate over my DR inflator, but they do demand regular maintanence. Also I didn't have to make any modifications to my Pioneer as I did to my DR to suit what I wanted (Shorter inflator hose, elbow instead of pull dump and cut the ball off the lower exhaust valve)

That said, they are both nice wings, but I prefer Halcyon products over DR. Currently I also dive a 40# Explorer wing which I have been very happy with.

You might wish to also consider a DSS wing as they appear to be a narrower profile (for singles wings especially) than any of the current wings on the market. http://www.deepseasupply.com

Aloha, Tim

 

[Mako Mark]

My opinion is that you should try them both.

I have owned three different brands and 7 different wings. Last DEMA, I wished I had bought Oxycheck, even though I have never had the chance to use one. (But I did manufacture BCD's for a while). I am currently diving DSS and have DR in the cupboard gathering dust as backup.

IMHO Halcyon are overpriced and they have had inflator problems. They look good tho.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Please do not forget Oxycheq !

I can offer a really good deal on new Oxy gear !

Ron

 

[Jorbar1551]

Halcyon has had lots and lots of problems with the inflators. It slowly adds air to your bc and i've seen people rush to the surface because there is too much air in their wing. My cousin(and number 1 dive buddy) owns halcyon and has sent his wing back to the halcyon HQ and they still havent fixed the problem. I have dive rite and have no problems at all.


Check out www.northeastscubasupply.com they have great customer service and THE BEST PRICES ive seen on dive rite gear.

 

[PerroneFord]

Well,

The Dive Rite with the hog harness is remarkably similar to the halcyon with the hog harness. If you get the Dive Rite, be sure you get the kit with the 2" crotch strap and not the 1".

I don't care for the DR wings. I like Halcyon's selection far more. Oxycheq and Golem's single tank wings are also excellent, and I'd recommend them. DSS's products are also excellent, and I'd recommend those too.

Halcyon has had a lot of trouble since they went to the stainless steel inflator. A few months ago, they decided to scrap it and have gone back to the plastic inflator. The DSS inflator is essentially identical. The Dive Rite is different, and it's faster. Which is not a good thing to me, but in my 60# wing, I don't notice it that much.

 

[Gil57usa]

I have an OMS 60# wing I use with my Doubles and have never had a problem.

 

[shin1999]

Thanks so much for the input. I am currently diving with single tank. I would like to move on to doubles in the future. I will look into other manufacturer as well.

 

[mheaster]

I dive a Halcyon Eclispe #40 with single Tank. I REALLY LIKE the SS/BP and wing BUT:

I must admit, for the premium price for a very good looking product and for all the hype their quality control is seriously lacking. (By their own design, it is very hard to separate the Halcyon Product Line from the DIR reputation for DEMANDING safety, reliability and simplicity above everything else. I have had two different problems with my gear since I purchased in Jan06. (I have never returned dive gear from Scubapro, Zeagle, US Divers etc. How can such "lousy gear manufacturers" get it right?) Okay even they use ScubaPro regulators, guess that was cheap shot to ScubaPro!)

1. From the FIRST dive trip to Ginnie Springs I noticed the stiching on my Wing (outer shell) was unraveling! The seam eventually opened in three different spots. Granted this was a mere cosmectic problem and not a life threatening failure. It was merely irritating considering I paid >$500 for BP/Harnesss/Wing system! My grandmother sewed better by hand!

2. (After only 6 months of use and approx. 50 dives) The Stainless Steel Inflator failed (stuck inflating my wing). I noticed this after a 90+ foot dive in murky visibility when I was attempting a 15 foot safety stop! I had read about it but have never experienced a run-away inflator and after going through some spastic gyrations trying to stay at 15 feet until I recognized what was going on, I was able to disconnect the sticky inflator and complete my safety stop. I have had MUCH "CHEAPER" Stroke Company inflators that worked day-in, day-out for MANY YEARS with NO special maintenance, even after ABUSING them in salt water, sediment and chlorine swimming pools! Yes, I resorted to playing the old "Stroke" garbage!

I will state that when I called Halcyon Manufacturing (THEY DIDN'T CONTACT REGISTERED OWNERS!) they did quickly offer to replace my wing and performed free service on my sticky inflator however they did not replace it? They stated that the faulty wing outer shell was one that they manufactured after receiving the WRONG material from their supplier. It was lighter weight, different material than spec'd. Wrong Material received but their choice to proceed with manufacturing timeline anyway! They realized the problem and were aware of it BUT they haven't issued a recall (dirty word in Dive Gear business I suppose? I am drawing some of my OWN conclusions here, they are accurate to best of MY knowledge but . . . .I may be screwed up?)

I can even understand not recalling the Wing Outer shell BUT I firmly believe they should STOP "Pussy-Footing" around and RECALL their Stainless Steel Inflators (AGAIN!) Even the newer improved SS still has issues! They offered no real comments about inflator BUT I will be looking to replace mine with a RELIABLE INFLATOR! Any suggestions? What is price/source of the SCUBAPRO Inflator some swear by? They say it is pricey (HOW Pricey?) but Bullet-Proof! Maybe they should sell them to Halcyon; it sounds as if it meets up to their HYPE!

I want an inflator that works when I press it and STOPS when I release it and don't want to be FORCED to perform REGULAR maintenance on it. Annual maintenance should suffice!

The more it is maintained seems like it would contribute to even more failures?

IMHO

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I currently own three Halcyon wings ... two Eclipses and an Evolve ... and have replaced the inflators with standard after-market plastic inflators on all of them. Except for the inflator issue, I like the wings.

I currently own two Oxycheq singles wings, and have owned one of their doubles wings previously ... I've had nothing but reliable service with them. Performance-wise, I found the doubles wing a bit more difficult to manage than other doubles wings I've tried. Quality-wise, the wings are excellent.

I currently own a DSS Torus wing ... and have owned the DSS LCD30 and the Torus doubles wings in the past ... and have nothing but praise for the quality and performance of any of them.

I have owned two Dive Rite wings (Rec and Venture) and ended up selling them both. I've also dived the Classic doubles wing. Quality-wise they were fine, but performance-wise I felt there were better options on the market.

For singles, my preferences ... in order of quality and performance ... are:

- Deep Sea Supply
- Oxycheq
- Halcyon
- Dive Rite

For doubles ...

- Halcyon
- Deep Sea Supply
- Dive Rite
- Oxycheq

These are strictly my personal preferences, based on my experiences with these four wing manufacturers ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)