Halcyon vs DSS

[Trent67]

This is ANOTHER of those threads but I do really need some help.

I am in a bit of an awkward situation. I am shortly leaving on an 8 month research trip where I will be diving most days. I need to buy my own equipment but I am do not really have enough experience to feel that I can make and informed decision about that. The people that I am going with have all recommended halcyon equipment. I am OK with the price because I know it is something that I am going to have forever. Reading this forum and doing web research I have discovered Deep Sea Supply. My question really is: Is there any reason to get the Halcyon instead of the DSS? The DSS backplates seem better designed and the wings appear to be as rugged. Am I missing something?

I am also considering getting the plastic backplate to save travel weight at the expense of comfort (I would have to wear a weight belt). All of my trip will be in warm water.

Thanks for you help (next come the regulator questions).

Trent

 

[shellbackdiver1]

Type "Halcyon" and "Deep Sea Supply" in the search button located in the upper right hand corner of this page that you are looking at. Every single question you asked can be answered.

 

[TSandM]

There are rabid partisans of almost anything you can ask about on SB.

With the exception of their problematic inflators, and I hear that issue is solved, Halcyon makes good quality gear. So does DSS. Wings vary in their size and shape, and it does create some differences in how they are to dive. But both of those companies make good quality stuff.

I personally never see any reason to pay more than I need to for good quality products, and DSS's customer service rocks.

 

[victor]

I have neither
Everything I have read says that both of these are good companies.
B/P for warm water either aluminum or DSS composite should be good.

9 months diving every day is going to wear out a lot of equipment so can you get spares for the kit you have.

Biggest issue for you is going to be maintenance of the wing, etc.

Can you maintain your own gear, if so take spares with you, if not see what gear the others have so they can help.
If you are in a remote location it might take weeks for spares to arrive.

If I was going BP / Wing then I might take a spare wing, spare clips, spare O Rings, spare inflator, spare fins + spare straps, spare webbing.

If you need a prescription mask at least 2 of these.

Then you need to start on computers and regs.

 

[*Floater*]

This is ANOTHER of those threads but I do really need some help.

I am in a bit of an awkward situation. I am shortly leaving on an 8 month research trip where I will be diving most days. I need to buy my own equipment but I am do not really have enough experience to feel that I can make and informed decision about that. The people that I am going with have all recommended halcyon equipment. I am OK with the price because I know it is something that I am going to have forever. Reading this forum and doing web research I have discovered Deep Sea Supply. My question really is: Is there any reason to get the Halcyon instead of the DSS? The DSS backplates seem better designed and the wings appear to be as rugged. Am I missing something?

I am also considering getting the plastic backplate to save travel weight at the expense of comfort (I would have to wear a weight belt). All of my trip will be in warm water.

Thanks for you help (next come the regulator questions).

Trent

The big advantage with DSS in my opinion is the different size plates. However, if you are average size then this won't be a factor for you.

There are other differences which may or may not matter to you. DSS plates have plastic grommets around the webbing slots to protect the harness from wear, and the DSS plates have a flatter profile, which can be good or bad depending on your preference.

As for wings there are some differences in materials, shapes and sizes of the wings, but I would not say one is better the other, it's more a question of preference. I will say though that the DSS torus 26 and 35 donut wings are of zipperless design unlike the H Eclipse wings. i.e. you cannot open the outer bag to access/repair the inner bladder that holds gas, but this may or may not be an issue for you. (The H pioneers only have one bladder so no need for a zipper). The DSS LCD wings do have zippers, but they are of horseshoe design, which again may or may not be a factor for you. Halcyon single wings are all donuts (except the 18# bat wings that are only available by special order or used). Another feature worth noting is that DSS single tank wings do not require a single tank adapter with DSS plates unlike the H wings/plates, though you can always use one if you like and some people prefer to do so even with DSS products.

 

[NJdiver85]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't get the argument about buying a plastic backplate instead of an SS plate for lighter travel. I mean, we're only talking about 6 pounds here for god sakes! If you're gonna dive everyday for 8 months, the ability to not have to wear a weight belt makes the SS plate a no-brainer. Unless of course you're flying to your destination in the space shuttle or a 2 seater Cessna where every extra pound can make a difference.

Regarding the DSS vs Halycon debate, either setup will suit your needs just fine. I would be more concerned with getting an adequate spares kit together if your gonna be on a research trip with possibly limited access to parts.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

This is ANOTHER of those threads but I do really need some help.

I am in a bit of an awkward situation. I am shortly leaving on an 8 month research trip where I will be diving most days. I need to buy my own equipment but I am do not really have enough experience to feel that I can make and informed decision about that. The people that I am going with have all recommended halcyon equipment. I am OK with the price because I know it is something that I am going to have forever. Reading this forum and doing web research I have discovered Deep Sea Supply. My question really is: Is there any reason to get the Halcyon instead of the DSS? The DSS backplates seem better designed and the wings appear to be as rugged. Am I missing something?

I am also considering getting the plastic backplate to save travel weight at the expense of comfort (I would have to wear a weight belt). All of my trip will be in warm water.

Thanks for you help (next come the regulator questions).

Trent

Will you be diving singles or doubles?

I own both sets of gear, and for singles diving I very much prefer the DSS Torus over the Halcyon Eclipse. You eliminate the need for a single-tank adapter, and for travel the Torus just packs smaller than the Eclipse. For me, they're both exceptional wings ... but in a head-to-head comparison I just find the Torus to have more advantages than the Eclipse.

So far for doubles I haven't yet found anything I like better than the Halcyon Evolve.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Vicente]

NJDiver85,

Next you'll be telling me you bring your own weights? Some of us have to lug our own stuff through airports in strange places, etc. When I travel with a laptop I have a little 3-pounder, not the 8-pound behemoths I see many slung over their shoulder and LEANING to one side. Every bit of weight reduction helps. My dive kit weighs probably about 1/2 of a typical divers' bag.

Also, when I take a puddle-jumper someplace like Bimini, yes they do charge more by weight of baggage. But yeah in his situation he'll likely be on the boat the whole time so SS makes as good a sense as anything else.

 

[Jason Ooi]

I voted for Halcyon, I love it ..
Welcome to :sblogo:
:wave-smil :wave-smil

 

[SkiDiver]

Will you be diving singles or doubles?

I own both sets of gear, and for singles diving I very much prefer the DSS Torus over the Halcyon Eclipse. You eliminate the need for a single-tank adapter, and for travel the Torus just packs smaller than the Eclipse. For me, they're both exceptional wings ... but in a head-to-head comparison I just find the Torus to have more advantages than the Eclipse.

So far for doubles I haven't yet found anything I like better than the Halcyon Evolve.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Bob, have you had a chance to compare the DSS Torus setup to the Oxycheq Mach V?