Now what? (BP/W)

[teknitroxdiver]

Well, I'm sure you're all sick of my wing questions by now, but hopefully soon I'll be moving on to asking how to thread my backplate.

Okey dokey: I sent FredT an email and got a ton of stuff back, and I've decided on this: Long aluminum backplate, and a FredT harness kit (yep, yall get to help me with that too!).

Now I have to decide on a wing. Oh boy. I want something that will accept cam straps, like the Halcyon Pioneer. Only problem is, a Pioneer is $300. This doesn't rule it out, but maybe one of you know of a cheaper one? What are the prices on single tank Oxycheqs? I haven't seen any in $US.

Of course, general suggestions, ideas, etc, are welcome.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[OE2X]

Well, I'm sure you're all sick of my wing questions by now, but hopefully soon I'll be moving on to asking how to thread my backplate.

Okey dokey: I sent FredT an email and got a ton of stuff back, and I've decided on this: Long aluminum backplate, and a FredT harness kit (yep, yall get to help me with that too!).

Now I have to decide on a wing. Oh boy. I want something that will accept cam straps, like the Halcyon Pioneer. Only problem is, a Pioneer is $300. This doesn't rule it out, but maybe one of you know of a cheaper one? What are the prices on single tank Oxycheqs? I haven't seen any in $US.

Of course, general suggestions, ideas, etc, are welcome.

Thanks,

Jonathan

Soup to nuts a BP&W should cost around $500. If memory serves my Oxycheq cost a bit less than the Halcyon, but it was only a few dollars.The cost of BPW is similar to any of the other high end BCD's. Look at it this way: Once you get it dialed in you will never want another type of BCD.

 

[SkyChi]

Try http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Mens_BCDs.asp?PAGE=2 or http://www.covci.com/. I've been looking pretty hard at what single tank wing to buy myself and these come highly reccomended.
SkyChi

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Yeah, I finally found the price on the Oxycheq website (gotta get them eyes checked )
Since they're so close, which is better, a 30# Oxycheq or a Halcyon Pioneer?

Right now, this is what I'm looking at:

1. FredT backplate: $50
FredT harness kit: $40
Oxycheq 30#: $240
TOTAL: $330

2. Fret T backplate: $50
FredT harness kit: $40
Halcyon Pioneer: $300
TOTAL: $390

With that little of price difference, I'm going to choose on quality and all that stuff over price. What's better?

And, am I forgetting anything in that list? How about cam straps, are they included?

 

[OE2X]

With that little of price difference, I'm going to choose on quality and all that stuff over price. What's better?

And, am I forgetting anything in that list? How about cam straps, are they included?

Not sure, and you should double check with FredT but you may need an STA. I know I did for my Koplin BP. The Halcyon doesn't need one. Check with Fred if the cam straps come with the harness kit.

If I were you and decide to buy the Oxycheq then I would buy the Signature Wing. I did! Reason being is that it is the same size as the 35#, but it has an outer protective shell with an inner lining. This is far more resistant to punctures. If memory serves the Pioneer does not have an inner bladder. It was small differences such as this that led me to getting the Signature. You might want to get in touch with Grateful Bob. He has the Oxycheq Standard wing. I think he really likes it and hasn't had any problems.

Many of the divers that have both that have posted about the differences - hands down prefer the Oxycheq. While I've never used the Halcyon, the friends that do, seem to like them as much as I like my wing.
I suspect you will be very happy with either.

 

[Dryglove]

Also check out the package prices from here. He is great to deal with https://ru13.servadmin.com/secure/www.covci.com/catalog/index.php

Includes the cam bands and STA(single tank adapter) ready to dive.

Fredt is also one awesome dude and am not trying to take any credit from him I can say that as i have dealt with both of them and was extremely satisfied with my purchases and customer service.

 

[Scubaroo]

Jonathan,

All of the OxyCheq wings accept camstraps - but they do not have an integrated STA like the Halcyon Pioneer. When fitted to a softpack like the O-Pac or A-Pac, they simply don't need an STA, but when fitted to a backplate, should be used with an STA.

There are three options from OxyCheq - a soft STA that utilises the camstrap slots in your wing and backplate (it zipties to the backplate/wing), a "traditional" 1lb lightweight stainless steel STA that has it's own camstrap slots that bolts to the backplate/wing, and a 6lb(?) weighted STA that has it's own camstrap slots that bolts to the backplate/wing. FredT and others make similar STAs - the soft STA is an OxyCheq exclusive AFAIK.

Why a soft STA? It keeps the weight down, won't scratch your tank, and is cheaper. It also does away with the bolts/wingnuts holding everything together. All of the weight of the tank is borne by the camstraps threaded through the backplate. The role of the STA is simply to stabilise the tank.

I haven't tried putting an OxyCheq wing on a FredT plate, because I don't own one, but the camstraps in the wings are generous, and should cover all backplate combinations. I've owned a couple of FredT's STAs before (both heavy and light), and their quality is also excellent.

I use a 30lb Standard wing, my wife has the 30lb Signature. I might switch them one day when she's not looking

Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Yes that does answer a lot of questions. I guess if I go with the Oxycheq I will get a light FredT STA. Are the outer-shell-equipped wings a lot more durable than the non-shelled ones?

thanks
jonathan

 

[Dryglove]

Yes that does answer a lot of questions. I guess if I go with the Oxycheq I will get a light FredT STA. Are the outer-shell-equipped wings a lot more durable than the non-shelled ones?

thanks
jonathan

I would have to say go with the outer shell equipped wing if you can afford it. Numerous people including me have somehow punctered the pioneer wing without really knowing it. I have a outer shell wing on the way so hopefully its more durable than the pioneer wing i used to have.

Also keep in mind that there have been some reports in the past where the bottom corners of the BP were rubbing holes in the wing over time so make sure there are no sharp corners or spots for your wing to rub on. I had to smooth the corners on my first BP as i could see it starting to put wear marks on the wing but never wore through.

 

[scubafool]

I own a Fredt plate with an OxyCheq 45 wing. While I have a Koplin STA that has slots for the tank bands in the STA itself, I just checked to see it the slots in the plate & the wing line up. Yes, they do.

However, if you want to use the plate for doubles, rethink the Fredt. My cavern instructor & I set his doubles against my plate, & the tanks did not contact the outer edges of the plate, rather, the bands on the doubles contacted the U-bend of the plate. This might cause you problems with the doubles having unwanted movement. As soon as I can get around another set of doubles with my plate, I am going to get some pictures to send to Fredt, as he has requested.