Help!...need Halcyon Vs. OMS advice!

[kidspot]

Personally I like the Halcyon wings, though at that price I too would prefer going with a DSS single tank hogarthian harness rig http://www.deepseasupply.com/page12.html then adding the weight plates and 2 XSScuba weight pockets for 6-12lbs of ditchable weight http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate...rt_Stock/DescSort_0/Filter_1=749/XSSTWBK.html

this all depends of course on where proper trim demands the weight placement.

Aloha, Tim

 

[SangP]

I use the #30 Eclipse and love it. IMO you can't go wrong with the Halcyon. To me it just seemed more streamlined and well-put-together than the OMS or the diverite did.

A

I don't doubt the Halcyon's well made, I own an Eclipse and an Oxycheq setup. In hindsight, I would have gotten the Oxcheq rather then the Halcyon.

The Oxycheq is just a good n in my opinion better designed and tougher. Besides whatever they want to call it (ACB) they are just halcyon weight pockets at $139 a pop :loopy:

SangP

 

[Mandy3206]

Those prices are way too high, I would suggest that you drop the IQ and get the Deluxe Harness (the one with one QR on the left shoulder) or the the cheaper hog harness (OMS or any brand, or better yet get 12' of 2" weight belt webbing and thread the harness yourself)

With the money you save, call Larry at www.Scubatoys.com and get a new 3/2 BARE full body for $119.00 and wear less weight in your system.

For weight system, get XS scuba weight pockets from www.diversdiscount.com for $8.95 each and you'll be better than spending $100.00 for any weight system.

Get the 5mm ebayed and get some money back.

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

I would definately reccomend scubatoys for better prices. I got an oxycheq 30 lb wing for a little under 250 from them. They sell the Oxycheq O-pac for 185.

If you want the OMS IQ pack it sells for 256 on leisurepro.com. Another comprable soft pack is the dive-rite transpac which they sell for 199 right now.

If you want a stainless steel backplate I would suggest the hammerhead which you can find through google. Costs 100 bucks.

Halcyon, while a quality brand, costs a bit too much in my opinion. But a lot of people tend to drool over the brand name. Do a search on this board for oxycheq before you make your decision.

I'm all for supporting your local dive shop, but not if you are going to get robbed in the process.

 

[Aquamutt]

First of all thank you all for your advice.

Here's another reason for choosing to purchase the two models I mentionned:

I'm from Montreal [~15.5 sales tax], but currently working in Anchorage, Alaska
[NO SALES TAX...WHOOHOOO!!]. The OMS rig would cost me $1080US (tax NOT included) if I bought it in Montreal!! The dive shops in Montreal are notoriously overpriced. As an aside, the similar Halcyon kit would cost me about $770US if I bought it in Burlington, Vermont [5% sales tax]. By the way the Halcyon dealer will throw in a couple of XSScuba 5pd packs into the deal for free since I last spoke with him (velcro or not: any perferences?).

I am intrigued by the Hammerhead backplate, Oxycheq bladder, and all the other options presented and wish I could investigate them all, but as their purchase would involve extra shipping costs to Canada and possibly customs fees I'm not sure I would be saving all that much (although the quality might be slightly better I concede). So I think my best option is to buy the BC here and take it back to Montreal.

It seems like a lot of you like the Halcyon bladder whereas no one commented on the OMS one.

A few further issues I have questions about:

[1] The OMS backplate has 3 sets of mounting holes whereas the Halcyon one has only one set: does this make the OMS one superior to the Halcyon?

[2] The worksmanship and steel grade on the OMS backplate appears superior to that of the Halcyon: is this assesment accurate?

[3] The OMS bladder gas release valves have small plastic plugs to pull on, the Halcyon one doesn't (just a cord). I would think it's much easier to grab a plug underwater than trying to find a little cord: what say you?

As you can tell, I'm tending toward the OMS setup. If I take the simpler OMS harness system the prices of the two are the same. I would appreciate if anyone could answer my questions above and inform me as to whether my percieved OMS advantages are enough to select OMS or not?

Thanks again!
J

 

[kidspot]

While more features is a good thing on the plate, I would go with the one that has the lowest profile (I don't know which that is though) Diving Singles I have not found the absence of having 3 mounting holes an issue, for doubles it might (I drilled an extra set in my doubles plate to move the rig lower) For a singles rig trim is affected much more by moving the tank up or down in the cam bands.

As to the ball on the pull dump valve, some divers prefer not having it. I'm one of them. It *can* get caught in things causing problems. I and 2 other divers I know have had the ball catch on a head of coral and empty the bladder, plus get stuck. It happened to me 2x before I cut it off. I really don't miss having it any longer - took a few dives to get used to it, now I don't even think about it.

Aloha, Tim

 

[Doc Intrepid]

It seems like a lot of you like the Halcyon bladder whereas no one commented on the OMS one.

There is a reason for this. Pay attention.

A few further issues I have questions about:

[1] The OMS backplate has 3 sets of mounting holes whereas the Halcyon one has only one set: does this make the OMS one superior to the Halcyon?

[2] The worksmanship and steel grade on the OMS backplate appears superior to that of the Halcyon: is this assesment accurate?

[3] The OMS bladder gas release valves have small plastic plugs to pull on, the Halcyon one doesn't (just a cord). I would think it's much easier to grab a plug underwater than trying to find a little cord: what say you??

(1) No.
(2) No.
(3) No. Lift up your left hand. Make an "OK" sign. Reach back and place the OK sign around the black plastic cover of the exhaust valve. Close the OK sign. The little cord will now be in the middle of the OK sign - pull on it. This is not tough.

As you can tell, I'm tending toward the OMS setup. If I take the simpler OMS harness system the prices of the two are the same. I would appreciate if anyone could answer my questions above and inform me as to whether my percieved OMS advantages are enough to select OMS or not?

No, IMHO they're not.

Advantages and disadvantages are, exactly as you noted, 'perceived'. That is, what is perceived as advantageous to one diver may not be similarly perceived by another - not that the gear is defective, but that the standards and criteria which inform each diver's rationale are so different. You don't need three holes in your bp. This is the same OMS who is now putting three o-rings on their manifolds. Nor do you need quick releases in your harness. They are polymer and can break. While broken releases seldom occur when its convenient, under certain circumstances they can be downright annoying.

I like Halycon, and since you asked for opinions, mine is that of those two choices you would be better served by the Halcyon gear. Others may perceive things differently.

Go whichever way you prefer, but don't fall into the trap of thinking that one is inherently superior to the other because it has 3 holes or dingleberries hanging off its exhaust valves.

 

[Aquamutt]

Hi all,

I left Anchorage at 23h30 (always late night flights out of Anchorage when heading back east!) Friday with a new BC in my luggage...and the winner was:

The Halcyon 30# Eclipse w/SS BP, standard STA, and 4 XS Scuba 5 pd. pockets (two velcro and two non-velcro). Final cost: $600US.

I have 5-6 pds on the BP/STA and up to 20 more with the pockets - enough to see me through. I dumped the Halcyon ACB and thereby saved $100US. Perhaps not the best price...but - I feel - the best in my situation. I will be sure to investigate all the other helpful options I learned about here for any future purchases.

Big thanks to the literally last minute help (I bought the BC about an hour later) from Kidspot and Spacemanspiff in helping me reach a decision. Also thanks to Doc Intrepid for confirming my decision although I only saw your opinion after I had arrived in Montreal.

Thanks also to the patient and helpful staff at Dive Alaska! for all their help - especially Scott.

It`s over...let the fun begin!...
J

 

[Day]

There is a reason for this. Pay attention.


(1) No.
(2) No.
(3) No. Lift up your left hand. Make an "OK" sign. Reach back and place the OK sign around the black plastic cover of the exhaust valve. Close the OK sign. The little cord will now be in the middle of the OK sign - pull on it. This is not tough.

No, IMHO they're not.

Advantages and disadvantages are, exactly as you noted, 'perceived'. That is, what is perceived as advantageous to one diver may not be similarly perceived by another - not that the gear is defective, but that the standards and criteria which inform each diver's rationale are so different. You don't need three holes in your bp. This is the same OMS who is now putting three o-rings on their manifolds. Nor do you need quick releases in your harness. They are polymer and can break. While broken releases seldom occur when its convenient, under certain circumstances they can be downright annoying.

I like Halycon, and since you asked for opinions, mine is that of those two choices you would be better served by the Halcyon gear. Others may perceive things differently.

Go whichever way you prefer, but don't fall into the trap of thinking that one is inherently superior to the other because it has 3 holes or dingleberries hanging off its exhaust valves.

You said it Doc! So I'm not going to repeat anything. However, I've used both.
I sold my OMS and now I only use the Halcyon.

 

[Lead_carrier]

You said it Doc! So I'm not going to repeat anything. However, I've used both.
I sold my OMS and now I only use the Halcyon.

lol.. and I have a Halcyon that I'm getting rid of to get a DiveRite. Good thing we all don't like the same stuff