Halcyon vs. OMS and BP/W Specs Question

[Cesar C. Elejalde]

Very thorough response from @Zef. A few things that I’ll add:

- Everyone that I’ve met with a Halcyon BP/W is happy with it. On the flip side...everyone that I’ve met with a “budget” BP/W (ex. HOG, Deep 6, DGX, etc.) is happy with it...provided the wing has internal cylinder stabilization/roll control. I believe that’s standard for most, but you’ll want to check for that.

-As Zef said...it’s common for people (myself included) to start with a fancy padded BP/W and then transition to one that isn’t. I slowly started removing the padded pieces from my HOG custom/premium/whatever they called it. I eventually ditched the fancy webbing and went to one piece Hogarthian webbing.

-I’ve currently got a 32lb HOG wing mounted to a 5lb Dive Rite stainless steel plate with Hogarthian webbing. The 32lb wing is more than enough lift to run a HP100 or HP120 plus an AL40.

-Buy what you want to buy in a BP/W. You’re the one that has to be happy with it. Just saying that all of the mainstream BP/W setups that I’ve checked out in person (ex. HOG, Dive Rite, Deep Six, OMS, Halcyon, DGX, etc.) are well made and I wouldn’t hesitate to dive any of them.

This is so true... this migration from fancy stuff to Hogarthian webbing. Its not an unusual journey to go from a back inflated integrated BCD, to a BP/W with buckles and adjustments, and finally ending up with a one-piece webbing. One of the first things to go is the chest strap too. Last summer I bought a Halcyon BP with one-piece webbing, and I am super happy with it. I used an OMS III for a few years before this one, good stuff. I have a SS plate, as I find this works best for me. I'm 5'10", 167 lb, and that rig set up with a 40 lb bladder works perfectly with steel 100 twinset and drysuit in the ocean; or with a single steel 117 and some 8lb. I have a second 30 lb bladder that I use in the tropics with that same harness and BP, and a 3 mil wetsuit: the higher buoyancy of an AL 80 tank is offset in part by the steel plate. Best of both worlds. My recco for you: try and test what is gonna work for you, and what gives you confidence and makes you feel good.

 

[Divedoggie]

OMS makes a pocketed back pad that slips onto the plate. You can slide 4, 2# weights into those pockets. The Aluminum plate is nice and light for travel, and has the stability and modularity that you look for in a Backplate & Wing system. The quality is excellent. Customer service is easy and excellent. Here is the link to this sweet setup. Just pick the wing that you want: DUI | Drysuits & Diving Equipment from Diving Unlimited International

 

[formernuke]

I would get a steel plate for around here.

I have no experience with OMS. I do have a halycon though and would recommend them based on the way they stand behind and replace items no longer under official warranty.

As for reg I have a very lightly used core supreme.