Need help Dive-Rite or Halcyon Pioneer?

[Lat. Adjustment]

Congradulations on going with a B/P and wings setup, you won't be sorry. When I was shopping I found the best price for a 36# Pioneer at Lloyd Bailey's Scuba in Gainsville FL.
I don't know about the Dive Rite wing but the Halcyon does not have a pull type shoulder dump valve, you need to hold the inflator hose high to dump which can be counter productive when stalking wildlife with a camera.

 

[jonnythan]

I don't know about the Dive Rite wing but the Halcyon does not have a pull type shoulder dump valve, you need to hold the inflator hose high to dump which can be counter productive when stalking wildlife with a camera.

The Dive Rite does come with a pull dump standard.

The Pioneer was designed without a pull dump because yanking on your inflator can sometimes, well, yank the inflator off, which could definitely ruin your day. They're designed to be dumped using the rear dump.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Just finished putting a TransPlate system together for a friend (about 1/2 hour ago) ... it just arrived via UPS today. Some interesting new developments in the system ... most notably in the weight pockets. Completely redesigned, with an angled mount, top-release system as opposed to their old bottom-release pockets. Nice improvement.

I also like the new 2-piece waist strap, although it's slightly more work to install than the older 1-piece waist strap ... this design will improve the longevity of the harness. But they could be more generous in terms of the amount of webbing they provide. There's not enough to properly offset the waist strap buckle to the right side, so the crotch strap tends to be a bit lopsided. Another 10-12" of webbing would've been about perfect.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I have the new one as well and I really like the new pockets too. The new transweight 16's actually fit 8#'s each, even soft weights. Some complainrd in the past that the smaller pouches couldn't fit more than 6 or 7 #'s.

I agree with that crotch strap thing too Bob. Especially if one is a larger person.

 

[fishchaser]

I saw this on diveriteexpress.com:

If you occassionally switch between doubles and singles, you can configure your backplate to attach to a single tank by adding two tank straps threaded through the tank strap slots of the aluminum and stainless steel backplates.

Is this true? No STA required? The tradeoff being that it's not as stable or what? How bad is it?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Most backplates are designed to allow you to do that these days. Yes, it works ... and it isn't "bad" at all. I've tried it, and didn't think the cylinder was as solidly attached as it felt with an STA ... there was a bit of tank wobble, like you get with a standard BCD. If that little bit of wobble is worth the tradeoff of not having to buy an STA, go for it.

FWIW - an STA isn't that expensive, and it's easy enough to install even when switching between singles and doubles (easier, actually, than threading a pair of cam straps through the BP slots). For the little bit of extra stability, I think it's a good investment.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[scubadobadoo]

I think it depends on what type of nuts the rig uses too. My DR wing is attached with flat ones that attach very securely with no noticeable wobble of the tank. However, if you don't pull the cam straps tightly, you will get wobble and may attribute that to not having a STA. User error doesn't help and is likely the first time you switch from a regular BC.

All that said, a weighted STA is a nice thing so I will probably get one anyway, regardless of stabilty. Plus, it is easier to attach the rig to a tank with a STA because the STA hugs the tank perfectly. I am talking about 3 seconds easier than without the STA so no biggie. I have seen them for as little as $25 online.

I think the STA and the crotch strap are similiar with regards to single tank diving in that they both may help a little but aren't always needed and are both pretty cheap to get and don't typically come with a single tank rig when purchased. Some do. Once again, I agree with Bob.