Question about bp/wing setups

[MartiniTime]

a little background about me. Been diving about 13 years. PADI divemaster. Also went through Navy Dive school / Combat Diver while in the Marine Corps. I have thousands of logged dives.

On to my question, I dont understand the current fascination with Bp/wing setups. I also dont understand why virtually everyone recomends Halcyon?

I am not trying to offend anyone, but I get the immpresion its more of a macho i am / I wanna be a tech diver thing more than any real performance gains.

How many of us are really tech divers? I am guessing less than 1%.

The hydrodynamics of a bp/wing are probably only a very mild improvement at best. Add a second tank, and it's probably less than a jacket bc with a single. Wearing a dry suit, forget it.

Is there any reason a recreational only diver (including recreational wreck and cave dives) would need a bp/wing? Why are so many people recommending them on the board?

Let me also say, I have not used any of the latest generation bp/wings, but I have used some very similar items during dive school.

I ask this because I am finally getting around to replace my gear. I'd like to buy the most current technolgy.

 

[VTWarrenG]

Swimming resistance is only a minor part of the package. A bp/wing:

1) Is much more stable in the water than a jacket.
2) Holds the tank closer to you than a jacket.
3) Allows you to move weight off your belt by using a SS BP.
4) Is infinitely adjustable, and stays where you put it.
5) Allows the use of singles AND doubles without changing much.
6) ...

Number 1 is by far the most important for most people, including myself.

- Warren

 

[Scubaroo]

Well I've only been diving for just over a year, and the difference in comfort, stability, trim and streamlining when I moved from a jacket BC to a BP/wings combo has been unbelieveable. It actually makes me look like I know what I'm doing underwater

It's not a tech thing - I'm purely recreational. I plan on moving onto double tanks when I move back to Oz, so I like the idea of being able to use the identical rig with just a different wing attached.

 

[metridium]

in no particular order

1. won't squeeze at the surface, unlike jacket BCs

2. less instability than jacket BCs

3. customizable, almost universal fit

4. modularity - can be adapted easily for changing conditions

5. allows simple transitioning to technical diving, sometimes at considerable savings.

6. allows diving doubles recreationally, if that's your thing

7. streamlined configuration

Macho? I couldn't care less. I'm diving it because it works best for me, not to impress the fish.

Now if it had a name like Raider or ForceRecon or Ranger, I might agree with ya....

 

[large_diver]

Another plus for BP/wings = freedom of movement.

 

[MartiniTime]

thanks for the input guys. Why is halcyon the favored vendor? Who are the top three companies manufacturing bp/wing systems? I only know of two, OMS and halcyon.

metridium is there actually a BC called the Force Recon? Cause if there is, I gotta have it! Just kidding.

 

[WreckWriter]

Originally posted by MartiniTime
thanks for the input guys. Why is halcyon the favored vendor? Who are the top three companies manufacturing bp/wing systems? I only know of two, OMS and halcyon.

metridium is there actually a BC called the Force Recon? Cause if there is, I gotta have it! Just kidding.

The third would be Dive-Rite.

I like Halcyon for several reasons, one, the quality is top notch. The equipment fits me well and works right for me. They make almost everything I need (I have a few accessory items by OMS and Dive-Rite). Last, I know the owner's brother......

Tom

 

[roakey]

Originally posted by MartiniTime
I'd like to buy the most current technolgy.

Careful what you ask for. I'd have to say the most current technology is the HUB, an abomination I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Backplates are not for technical or technical wannabe divers anymore. But as has happened in the past with the recreational adoption other technical equipment such as BCs, octos and SPGs, the backplate is being met with some resistance and a general lack of availability at your average dive shop.

Most of the backplate divers hold no allegiance to any particular backplate, the FredT offering the best cost/performance ratio of them all. Though I think a short time ago that someone posted that the Halcyon package purchase consisting of wing, backplate, harness and single cylinder straps was competitive with a split Halcyon/FredT purchase, but you’ll have to look into that.

The name Halcyon crops up mostly around the wings. Also the most number of arguments crop up around wings as well. The Halcyon wing is simple, robust and has the correct length inflator putting it slightly below your left collar bone so with one hand you can run your BC, clear your ears and inflate your dry suit (if applicable) without much movement. The smooth, bungeeless design doesn’t trap air, is hydrodynamic and doesn’t add any parts that have to be fiddled with, replaced or be mis-adjusted.

When it comes to wings, Halcyon No Ka Oi.

The whole key here is you say you haven’t tried one. You need to. What they lack in presentation they more than make up for in performance. There have been at least two posts in the last week about relatively new divers getting backplates and being absolutely ecstatic about them.

As an added bonus, if you ever do go “technical” your interface to your equipment won’t change one lick as your diving progresses. This is icing on the cake.

Roak

 

[roakey]

Originally posted by metridium
Now if it had a name like Raider or ForceRecon or Ranger, I might agree with ya....

Do you still get an XM-177 with every Ranger purchase so you can come slowly out of your favorite dive site branishing a weapon?

Roak