poorly built Halcyon evolve

[slaterson19]

When diving my brand new evolve this past weekend, I noticed that the inflator hose is hard to dump because the black rubber band on the left chest d-ring makes it hard to lift the hose up when dumping air. I find myself rolling on my back in order to dump air. alot of instructors I know take the black band off and put a bungie higher up on the hose. The biggest problem I had was when i was ascending. I went to dump some air out of my bc and the rubber band knocked the inflator hose off. then as I was dumping some air, the end of the inflator valve ripped off and all of my air shot out of my bc. So here i am negatively bouyant(I know I should be diving a dry suit with doubles but the water and air temp is very hot) Luckily I held onto the peice that broke off and slid it back on. If I had not of connected the inflator valve back up with the hose I would have had to shoot a bag to the surface or pray that someone throws me a line when I came to the surface on the bow line. I also noticed that the hose feels very delicate compared to other brands and can probably dry rot or rip very easily if a diver comes into contact with a wreck.

 

[PerroneFord]

Out of curiosity, why aren't you dumping with the dump valve? The Halcyon corrugated hose is shorter than most intentionally, so that can make it a challenge to dump, especially if you are vertical in the water.

 

[Henryville]

A few points. Sorry to hear you had a challenging dive, but it sounds like you kept your head and dealt with the situation as you should have. Well done, plenty of divers would have panicked.

Unless I am mistaken and I don't think I am, that wing is designed for divers who swim and ascend in a horizontal orientation. The inflator hose is really only used to dump gas on the surface to get the descent started, the rear dump valve is designed to be used to release gas on the way up.

If you wanted to use the inflator hose to dump gas on the way up in a full or semi-vertical orientation, then you would clearly need to move the bungee further up on the harness or not bungee it down at all. If you make a J-trap like in a sink drain, then there is no way the gas will exit efficiently.

Depending on how you place the bands, they can dislodge the LP BC inflator hose on any wing. You could try not routing the LP hose under the lower rubber band.

The inflator valve on that wing is not meant to be pulled on, but it does sound as though yours could have been on tighter. The hose may feel less robust because it is not meant to be pulled on like some that have the integral dump wire inside.

I'd reserve judgment on the dry rot until you see how it holds up.

If you decide you don't like the wing because you don't dive the way it was designed to be dove, I'll be happy to take it off your hands at the right price

 

[slaterson19]

thanks for the advice

 

[cool_hardware52]

When diving my brand new evolve this past weekend, I noticed that the inflator hose is hard to dump because the black rubber band on the left chest d-ring makes it hard to lift the hose up when dumping air. I find myself rolling on my back in order to dump air. alot of instructors I know take the black band off and put a bungie higher up on the hose. The biggest problem I had was when i was ascending. I went to dump some air out of my bc and the rubber band knocked the inflator hose off. then as I was dumping some air, the end of the inflator valve ripped off and all of my air shot out of my bc. So here i am negatively bouyant(I know I should be diving a dry suit with doubles but the water and air temp is very hot) Luckily I held onto the peice that broke off and slid it back on. If I had not of connected the inflator valve back up with the hose I would have had to shoot a bag to the surface or pray that someone throws me a line when I came to the surface on the bow line. I also noticed that the hose feels very delicate compared to other brands and can probably dry rot or rip very easily if a diver comes into contact with a wreck.

I use a piece of inner tube on my left upper shoulder strap. I run only the Lp hose, not the corrigated hose under this piece of inner tube. I also have a fairly large bungee loop at the Dring. This 1/8" bungee loop is large enough to allow me to easily tuck the power inflator through the loop, or remove it if I need to.

It's virtually impossible to vent gas from the hose with it tucked into the bungee when horizontal, but most venting is via the rear OPV anyway. If I need to dump gas with the hose I can easily pull it out of the bungee and raise the hose.

I use the bungee becasue I've found that while scootering the inflator assembly can "blow around" and be hard to find.

I have to wonder if difficulties you had in venting from an unfamiliar hose, and the manner in which it was secured lead to a lot of pulling on the hose and inflator?

The corrigated hoses I've seen on Halcyon wings were of good quality.


Tobin

 

[slaterson19]

I dove an eclipse for months with the same hose set up as the evolve.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Try using surgical tubing instead of bungee or "rubber band" at the D-ring. That stuff stretches a long way when you want it to ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[SparticleBrane]

At NCSU we have 25 Eclipse BCs that we use for our scuba courses. We've had them for 3 semesters and although the BCs themselves are turning grayish in color due to having hundreds of dives in a chlorinated pool, they're still in good condition.
To my knowledge, none of the corrugated hoses have had to be replaced yet.

As they said previously it's all about how you're positioned in the water. Horizontal is best for this kind of setup!

 

[cool_hardware52]

I dove an eclipse for months with the same hose set up as the evolve.

I have to admit I'm curious. You've had a Eclipse for months. With the same hose set up. Apparently you've been happy enough with the Eclipse to consider an Evolve.

Now, with the same hose set up, you are displeased.

What am I missing?


Tobin

 

[JeffG]

When diving my brand new evolve this past weekend, I noticed that the inflator hose is hard to dump because the black rubber band on the left chest d-ring makes it hard to lift the hose up when dumping air. I find myself rolling on my back in order to dump air. alot of instructors I know take the black band off and put a bungie higher up on the hose. The biggest problem I had was when i was ascending. I went to dump some air out of my bc and the rubber band knocked the inflator hose off. then as I was dumping some air, the end of the inflator valve ripped off and all of my air shot out of my bc. So here i am negatively bouyant(I know I should be diving a dry suit with doubles but the water and air temp is very hot) Luckily I held onto the peice that broke off and slid it back on. If I had not of connected the inflator valve back up with the hose I would have had to shoot a bag to the surface or pray that someone throws me a line when I came to the surface on the bow line. I also noticed that the hose feels very delicate compared to other brands and can probably dry rot or rip very easily if a diver comes into contact with a wreck.

I just looked at your posting history. Too funny.