raposarose
Guest
Hello!
Since it is such a popular topic and since I read so many posts by new divers asking about these BCs I thought I would share my experience. Especially since a lot of people here helped me out when I first started looking for a BC (http://www.scubaboard.com/t37449-.html).
In particular this is directed at new divers asking if it is too "technical" or "uncomfortable." I don't necessarily want to convince people it is the best choice in the world (I had thought about getting a Transpac or a backinflate BC before, and I never tried the Transpac). Those still might have been good alternatives. I just want to say that it worked well for me, and that some of the major concerns a new diver might have about this system turned out not to be valid. I still only have 25 dives total or so, so bear in mind that this is the opinion of a pretty new diver.
I used a BP/Wing (rented a 36lb pioneer) as one of my first dives after being certified. Maybe since it was adjusted correctedly I had no problems, and I just subtracted 6lbs from my usual weighting. Before I tried it I was a little concerned because it seemed like it would be more uncomfortable and tricky to use, and I had heard about back inflate pushing your face forward on the surface. I was almosts set on getting a Transpac as something "in-between." I was surprised that I wasn't pushed forward even a little bit on the surface, and overall I liked the solid feel (the rental had an STA for some reason), and lack of bulk.
In short, it was not uncomfortable at all. Honestly, even though it makes little difference, the MC storage pack on the Halcyon made it *look* like it would be more comfortable than just a steel plate, so I didn't feel daunted to rent it.
I was convinced, so when a good deal came along I bought the Pioneer 36 system.
Trim took a bit to work out as I adjusted weights and experimented with positioning of weights, and as I bought a steel tank, but all in all my experience was not any harder than a jacket BC. With jacket BCs I had mixed experiences during my OW cert. class. Some fit better than others, generally I didn't like the bulk though, which narrowed my search to back inflate BCs when I finally decided to but one. The only backinflate BC I had tried before the BP/Wing was an old seaquest that was bright blue and looked like it was from 1972 that our dive instructor (a cool YMCA instructor who has been teaching a long time) had.
Now I use weight pockets on the cam straps, and two on the harnesses instead of a weight belt, and overall it feels solid and well balanced. I had an issue with a puncture recently, but Halcyon replaced it at a very low cost and threw in the new steel inflator that may old wing didn't have. The only negative I have had with the system at all is the fact that the steel cam strap buckles bite into the tank a little (though they are very secure). I resolved this for the time being with a little duct tape
My wife bought an oxycheq system, and it has been good too (besides that the plate has been fraying her harness, so she needs to sand down the edges).
I hope this is useful.
Since it is such a popular topic and since I read so many posts by new divers asking about these BCs I thought I would share my experience. Especially since a lot of people here helped me out when I first started looking for a BC (http://www.scubaboard.com/t37449-.html).
In particular this is directed at new divers asking if it is too "technical" or "uncomfortable." I don't necessarily want to convince people it is the best choice in the world (I had thought about getting a Transpac or a backinflate BC before, and I never tried the Transpac). Those still might have been good alternatives. I just want to say that it worked well for me, and that some of the major concerns a new diver might have about this system turned out not to be valid. I still only have 25 dives total or so, so bear in mind that this is the opinion of a pretty new diver.
I used a BP/Wing (rented a 36lb pioneer) as one of my first dives after being certified. Maybe since it was adjusted correctedly I had no problems, and I just subtracted 6lbs from my usual weighting. Before I tried it I was a little concerned because it seemed like it would be more uncomfortable and tricky to use, and I had heard about back inflate pushing your face forward on the surface. I was almosts set on getting a Transpac as something "in-between." I was surprised that I wasn't pushed forward even a little bit on the surface, and overall I liked the solid feel (the rental had an STA for some reason), and lack of bulk.
In short, it was not uncomfortable at all. Honestly, even though it makes little difference, the MC storage pack on the Halcyon made it *look* like it would be more comfortable than just a steel plate, so I didn't feel daunted to rent it.
I was convinced, so when a good deal came along I bought the Pioneer 36 system.
Trim took a bit to work out as I adjusted weights and experimented with positioning of weights, and as I bought a steel tank, but all in all my experience was not any harder than a jacket BC. With jacket BCs I had mixed experiences during my OW cert. class. Some fit better than others, generally I didn't like the bulk though, which narrowed my search to back inflate BCs when I finally decided to but one. The only backinflate BC I had tried before the BP/Wing was an old seaquest that was bright blue and looked like it was from 1972 that our dive instructor (a cool YMCA instructor who has been teaching a long time) had.
Now I use weight pockets on the cam straps, and two on the harnesses instead of a weight belt, and overall it feels solid and well balanced. I had an issue with a puncture recently, but Halcyon replaced it at a very low cost and threw in the new steel inflator that may old wing didn't have. The only negative I have had with the system at all is the fact that the steel cam strap buckles bite into the tank a little (though they are very secure). I resolved this for the time being with a little duct tape
My wife bought an oxycheq system, and it has been good too (besides that the plate has been fraying her harness, so she needs to sand down the edges).
I hope this is useful.
