Arnaud
Contributor
I bought a b/p & w from Halcyon earlier this year. This was a great switch that started my journey into the dark side. But that's another discussion. After diving the b/p for a few months, I noticed that the webbing was quickly wearing off. Worst, my wing got punctured in several places (in each case the plate was rubbing against it). I brought the whole thing back to the LDS where I had gotten it. They sent it to Halcyon. After nearly two months, I got a new Pioneer wing that I paid for at wholesale price, a free piece of webbing and
that's it. During those two months, the LDS let me borrow for free their rental b/p anytime I wanted. It was not a major annoyance per se, but considering what I had invested, we're far from a fair deal.
Halcyon's half-baked position is that, as we all know, the wing is not covered by the warranty. They did give me the free webbing, acknowledging that the plate had damaged it, yet they refused to re-finish it. If nothing was done, I was going to need another wing in 6 months
Meanwhile, I had posted about this "ordeal" on the board and received some valuable tips, including detailed instructions from FredT on how to re-finish the plate myself. Well, I didn't have the tools or the craftsmanship for that matter. But since I had decided to get a weighted STA, I traded a few emails with FredT and sent him my plate. Well, a couple of weeks later, I got my plate back with nice and smooth edges, plus the STA. It was a bit more money in the pit, but now I feel that my investment is protected (and it didn't get into Halcyon's pockets).
Halcyon may make great stuff, but I got a lemon and they didn't do much to correct the problem. FredT provided a valuable service. He'll definitely get my business again.
Diving with the weighted STA was great. I only used 6# of lead. It made arching my back effortless and painless. If it weren't for my drysuit and the 57° water, it would have felt like tropical diving. Definitely one of the better tips I got from the board.
Halcyon's half-baked position is that, as we all know, the wing is not covered by the warranty. They did give me the free webbing, acknowledging that the plate had damaged it, yet they refused to re-finish it. If nothing was done, I was going to need another wing in 6 months
Meanwhile, I had posted about this "ordeal" on the board and received some valuable tips, including detailed instructions from FredT on how to re-finish the plate myself. Well, I didn't have the tools or the craftsmanship for that matter. But since I had decided to get a weighted STA, I traded a few emails with FredT and sent him my plate. Well, a couple of weeks later, I got my plate back with nice and smooth edges, plus the STA. It was a bit more money in the pit, but now I feel that my investment is protected (and it didn't get into Halcyon's pockets).
Halcyon may make great stuff, but I got a lemon and they didn't do much to correct the problem. FredT provided a valuable service. He'll definitely get my business again.
Diving with the weighted STA was great. I only used 6# of lead. It made arching my back effortless and painless. If it weren't for my drysuit and the 57° water, it would have felt like tropical diving. Definitely one of the better tips I got from the board.