Pioneer wing review

[Divesherpa]

After around 1000 dives on the Explorer (all with very satisfactory results), I decided to purchase a Pioneer wing. This would replace my current recreational setup (teaching BC, Seaquest Balance) with another wing. Also, I could get some use out of the stainless plates.
Review: The Pioneer is a POS. The inflator hose attachment is a long way from foolproof. There is a piece of superstiff webbing holding the inflator hose in place (located an inch or so from the attachment. The wing is flimsy and unprotected. Attaching the inflator hose requires pinching the wing between your fingers and the "nut".
Diving this wing would make me very nervous. After trusting the quality of my other Halcyon wings, I find this wing unacceptable. Maybe I'm too critical due to my tech background, but if the wing is a DIR wing, shouldn't it be a little more reliable and user friendly?

Since purchasing the wing I have found several posts and complaints regarding leaks and holes in the Pioneer wings. It would seem that I bought in to the Halcyon hype on this one.
This wing is not what I would consider "Doing it Right!"

 

[jonnythan]

The method for unscrewing the inflator hose leaves some to be desired. Is this your only criticism of the wing?

If you want a Halcyon wing built more like your Explorer, get an Eclipse.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Hmmm... I don't bother unscrewing my inflator hose.

After 5 years my pioneer 27# still has no leaks... can't say the same for my drysuits though.

 

[WaterDawg]

Have got about 200 dives on mine no leaks of any sort (which is a suprise if you knew how I treat it) but I never have unscrewed the corugated hose, if I did i probably wouldnt do it often.

 

[Divesherpa]

Jonnythan, I guess you are right about the Eclipse.
AS for the hose, I purchased the wing "pre-loved" from a board member and received it with the hose unattached. In defense of Halcyon, this is the older style wing that requires the STA.

Features that I like:
Nice carry handle (I don't know if I'll use it, but it's definately nice)
Nice shape
Length of inflator hose
Placement of rear dump seems appropriate
Elbow instead of pull dump

Features I don't like:
Inflator hose attachment method
Stiff webbing holding inflator hose in place
Attachment for inflator hose
Requires STA (unknown prior to purchase)
Single bag design (which I knew about before purchase, not optimal)

This is merely my impression of the wing.

How long has Halcyon been making the Pioneer wing? When was the switch to non-STA made? Are the newer wings that don't require the STA more sturdy?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[divad]

Review: The Pioneer is a POS.

Egads. I hope it wasn't a "slightly blemished" one.

 

[Divesherpa]

No, Evad, it wasn't, but that was a great thread.

 

[divad]

No, Evad, it wasn't, but that was a great thread.

Oh thank God. You could have been sucked through that inflator hose and become hoplessly lost in a vast alternate universe that, from the outside, appears to be nothing more than a circular bag of air.

 

[sinkorswim]

After around 1000 dives on the Explorer (all with very satisfactory results), I decided to purchase a Pioneer wing. This would replace my current recreational setup (teaching BC, Seaquest Balance) with another wing. Also, I could get some use out of the stainless plates.
Review: The Pioneer is a POS. The inflator hose attachment is a long way from foolproof. There is a piece of superstiff webbing holding the inflator hose in place (located an inch or so from the attachment. The wing is flimsy and unprotected. Attaching the inflator hose requires pinching the wing between your fingers and the "nut".
Diving this wing would make me very nervous. After trusting the quality of my other Halcyon wings, I find this wing unacceptable. Maybe I'm too critical due to my tech background, but if the wing is a DIR wing, shouldn't it be a little more reliable and user friendly?

Since purchasing the wing I have found several posts and complaints regarding leaks and holes in the Pioneer wings. It would seem that I bought in to the Halcyon hype on this one.
This wing is not what I would consider "Doing it Right!"

Yeah, Got to agree with you there.

 

[divad]

Yeah, Got to agree with you there.

Where?