Lightweight STA alternative? or single wing w/o STA

[pakman]

OK, looking to reduce weight on my recreational dive travel kit. Currently using a Halcyon alu BP, STA, and a 30lb eclipse wing. My kit + DSLR setup has got my check in luggage weighing in at 40kg+... And that's with carrying on 20kg or more! Trying to reassess my single tank rec setup to reduce the travel weight. Are there alternative lighter STA's? Or has someone come across any mod to use a Halcyon Eclipse without a STA?

edit: alternative is to dump the eclipse... what other 20-30lb single wings are available that do not require a STA?

Next in line are the jetfins! love em but they're just too heavy...

 

[Nemrod]

The DiveRite STA is thin stainless, it weighs hardly nothing and one could cut lightening holes in it to further reduce the weight down to that of a feather. I like an STA, others may vary--that is my opinion.

A one inch hole saw could easily cut the weight down, drill them down the center channel, additional weight could be removed by cutting the edge material back to the center outside of the camband slots.

Mach V with lightweight STA:

N

 

[pakman]

ah nemrod, actually good idea... maybe I'll take my existing Halcyon STA into a local metal shop and have it made into swiss cheese...

I couldn't find any specs on their website, would anyone know how much the Diverite STA weights?

 

[*Floater*]

OK, looking to reduce weight on my recreational dive travel kit. Currently using a Halcyon alu BP, STA, and a 30lb eclipse wing. My kit + DSLR setup has got my check in luggage weighing in at 40kg+... And that's with carrying on 20kg or more! Trying to reassess my single tank rec setup to reduce the travel weight. Are there alternative lighter STA's? Or has someone come across any mod to use a Halcyon Eclipse without a STA?

edit: alternative is to dump the eclipse... what other 20-30lb single wings are available that do not require a STA?

Something like the bladderless Oxycheq Razor 18 or 30# with no STA (assuming the cam strap slots line up with your plate) would cut the weight down. Or you could try either the Agir 2-piece STA (110g) or Dive-Rite's plastic (ABS?) STA if you can find one, or just make your own from PVC pipe or something (check out kidspot's page). Also, I think Oxycheq makes a "soft STA" which probably weighs next to nothing, but then again you have to compromise something with all these designs.

Next in line are the jetfins! love em but they're just too heavy...

The OMS slipstreams are supposed to be the same except for half the weight.

 

[pakman]

Floater, I was just browsing the oxycheq website. thanks for the link on the 2 piece Agir STA. Though a Razor might make sense. As a bladderless wing, it should weigh less than the Eclipse and I could dump the STA altogether.

 

[giles45shop]

Check out the Oxycheq STA, it's very minimalistic and light weight (don't know exactly how much), other alternative is one of the ABS plastic STA's from Dive Rite.

 

[japan-diver]

Just returned from an extended trip throughou the islands and was carrying 2 complete kits w/ S/S bps with STA's, 3 regs 2 wetsuits and others and the whole kit was only 37kg. You really need to look at the extra stuff you may be bringing if you have over 60kg or stuff.

Do you have the SS cam buckles on your bands go to plastic -2kg.
A lightweight STA should only be less than 1kg or much less with the 2 piece STA.
How much extra crap that isn't necessary do you have- tank bangers, slates etc... these add up quick. Don't carry any weights with you not even those handy one lb trim weights.

How heavy is your luggage- if you are carrying Pelican cases or the like 10kg or more could be the case alone.

Pack only the necessary items and you will be under 20kg in dive gear- now the camera gear is harder to lighten with batteries, strobes etc- I carry my batteries and haven't had a problem in the Pacific with NiMH in carry one- just a few expplanations on what a can light is sometimes and the extras for my camera equipment. Also I find extra bags (regs bags, console bags etc) inside your bag can be eliminated and save weight. If your gear needs padding use your wetsuit, hood, dive shorts or t-shirts that you have to bring anyway not a useless bag.

 

[pakman]

JD, yup the pelican case is also high on my replacement list. I can hand carry most of the delicates for the camera setup (DSLR housing, camera, lenses, glass dome port, dual strobes, etc...) in my backpack. Thinking to replace the Pelican with a lighter standard samsonite type luggage. Or even just a soft roller and pad up the remaining items in wetsuits, etc.

LOL - yup, I always have fun explaining to the regional airport security what that dynamite stick/ pipe bomb looking cannister light is...

 

[*Floater*]

Floater, I was just browsing the oxycheq website. thanks for the link on the 2 piece Agir STA. Though a Razor might make sense. As a bladderless wing, it should weigh less than the Eclipse and I could dump the STA altogether.

My Razor 30 weighs in at about 700g or 800g (according to my kitchen scale), that's without the LP inflation hose attached. My gf has the 18# right now (and she is traveling), but I guess it's just a little less.

edit: correction/italics

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Seems like DSS has some crazy lite stuff... kydex plate and a little LCD 20 or travel wing.

Edit to add: If you are looking for an STA-less solution, the DSS may be the best option.