So Many BP/Wings to choose from!

[iflyprops]

I know this has been beat to death but...

I am going to go to a bp/w pretty quick this summer and am looking at the Oxycheq or Halcyon lines. I do mostly warm salt-water (FL) diving and am only rec right now, but have further aspirations. I am also a beginning shutterbug (if it makes any difference). I was looking at the 30lb Halcyon eclipse and the 30lb Oxycheq standard rig with an aluminum bp. I usually wear about 14 pounds with a Zeagle Escape, 3mm farmer john wetsuit, and am currently diving al80's but forsee a few lp steels in the future. How does this sound? Is the over $100 difference between the Halcyon and Oxycheq worth it? (from extreme exposure and COVCI). I live a few hours from gainsville so I may visit extreme exposure to look 'em over. ahh, how much do the aluminum bp's weigh, will I be able to take anything off my weightbelt?

Comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!

 

[Boogie711]

Aluminum BP's weigh 2lbs. Steel are usually 6.

 

[Tom Winters]

It's all good gear. I own a 45-pound Oxycheq and 30-pound Abyss for singles; and a Dive Rite Classic for twins - all are GREAT. The Halcyon guys love their stuff, but I would not pay the difference, plus it's kinda cult-like stuff. I like the steel plates better than the aluminum jobs - with my single steel LP 125 and two wetsuits, I don't wear any weights. COVCI is a good operation too.

 

[PonyBottle]

You can't go wrong with either brand. I dive the Halcyon BP. IMO you should opt for the steel plate, (6 lbs), you will be able to take weight off the belt, and with LP steel you may get away with no weight (like I do).

Good luck.

 

[OneBrightGator]

Don't overlook Dive Rite, I use their plate and Venture wing and love it. As far as I'm concerned they all (Halcyon, Oxycheq and Dive Rite) are just about equal quality and if I had to do it again I'd buy strictly on price.

btw, if you're going to be at the Ginnie BBQ I'll bring my single tank stuff and you can take a look.

Ben

 

[iflyprops]

If I go with the SS backplate should I bump the wing size up?

Thanks for everything!

 

[Scubaroo]

If I go with the SS backplate should I bump the wing size up?

Not for the diving you've described - 30lb would be fine. Just means 3-4lb less lead on your belt.

For comparison the OxyCheq medium SS plate is 5lb, not 6lb.

 

[reubencahn]

If you can, look at both and then decide. In the 30#, the Halcyon has a slightly smaller profile than the Oxycheq. In the 45# I think the opposite is true. The Eclipse is comparable to the Oxycheq Signature Series. The Pioneer is comparable to the standard Oxycheq. Also, if you want an MC pack, that comes with the Halcyon setup but not the Oxycheq. If you're planning on adding one later, this reduces the price differential. Finally, you can get shops to discount the Halcyon setups a bit, so if you go that route, try to get the discount.

I dive an aluminum plate with an steel hp 100. With a 5mm suit, I wear 2lbs on a belt. With a 3mm, I wear none. A steel plate would be too heavy for me. I think you'll find that you can drop even more weight than either the steel or aluminum bp adds because most standard bcs have some inherent buoyancy that you get rid of with a bp/wing.

 

[Scubaroo]

Also, if you want an MC pack, that comes with the Halcyon setup but not the Oxycheq.

A comparable OxyCheq product is coming in the next month or two.

 

[Jerryg]

I haven't heard any discussion on OMS. What are your opinions on there gear. I'm just begining my "research" into a BP/W. Thanks