The great travel BC topic

[leadweight]

Dive-rite Transpac II and Travel wing is what I use. You can remove the lumbar pad and some of the d-rings if you are trying to get everything in a carryon. It may take up a few move cubic inches than a BP, but everything is flexible.

 

[domino22]

thanks ya'll got me to that old post.

 

[gbrandon]

Im going to buy another BP/Wing setup for warm water diving when I travel and I was curious if anyone had any advice as to a travel BP and wing reccomendation? I am looking at another Koplin BP and either the Oxy 30# wing or one of the new Halcyon Eclipse 30# wings. I like the idea of the inner/outer shell of the Eclipse, but like others have stated, it's really dissapointing that they designed something that isnt serviceable if you get a hole in it. Also, im still confused by someones statement that the eclipse STA didnt have slots for the cam bands. What are they using to attach the tank? Also, will another persons sta fit onto the eclipse's wing? Lastly, with a 3mm wetsuit and a al80, Im trying to figure out if I need a weighted STA or if I will be fine without one. I really dont want to wear a weightbelt or a weight harness.

 

[Scubaroo]

First, the Halcyon Eclipse wing does not have the slots - it uses a regular STA (of any make, as long as it has 11" holes) that has slots for cambands.

Second, (trying to avoid sounding like self-promotion here), if you're already looking at an OxyCheq wing, OxyCheq has just released the O-Pac at DEMA, which is a single-piece harness soft pack ("semi-rigid" backplate) alternative to a regular travel or aluminum backplate, designed for warm-water and travel diving. And anyone else wanting a one-piece hogarthian harness without the backplate.

 

[JohnF]

gbrandon once bubbled...
Lastly, with a 3mm wetsuit and a al80, Im trying to figure out if I need a weighted STA or if I will be fine without one. I really dont want to wear a weightbelt or a weight harness.

Hard to answer without knowing what your weight requirement is without a plate. Seems silly to me to go to a light travel style plate and then lug along a weighted STA to weigh you down. Why not go with a 6# ss plate to begin with and then get whatever extra you need on the STA. That way you have the plate for all diving environments. If 6# will do it alone then just go to a light STA like Koplin's travel unit at less than one pound. If you need a couple of pounds, then he makes a regular SS channel style which I think weighs about 2# to give you 8# total. His lead-filled STA weighs 6# but then you'd be hauling 12# of metal in your luggage.

Consider too how you trim out. Perhaps you might like having a couple of pounds of lead a little lower on your body in case you are one of the leg-lite folks (although this is more a drysuit user problem).

John F

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

You're usually going to be in Al 80's which tend to be a bit head heavy and if you add on a SS plate and 3 mil wetsuit, you'll usually end up with floating feet. You're still better off, trim flexibility wise, with an Al plate or a semi rigid setup, and a few pounds on a belt to manage trim. It's also better to have to add a few pounds on a belt so you're not too heavy if you use a skin or swimtrunks in warm areas.

When you're traveling, flexibility in your setup is important.

Darlene



And don't forget, the airlines keep lowering your baggage weight limits....so lighter is better....

 

[gbrandon]

JohnF once bubbled...


Hard to answer without knowing what your weight requirement is without a plate. Seems silly to me to go to a light travel style plate and then lug along a weighted STA to weigh you down. Why not go with a 6# ss plate to begin with and then get whatever extra you need on the STA. That way you have the plate for all diving environments. If 6# will do it alone then just go to a light STA like Koplin's travel unit at less than one pound. If you need a couple of pounds, then he makes a regular SS channel style which I think weighs about 2# to give you 8# total. His lead-filled STA weighs 6# but then you'd be hauling 12# of metal in your luggage.

Consider too how you trim out. Perhaps you might like having a couple of pounds of lead a little lower on your body in case you are one of the leg-lite folks (although this is more a drysuit user problem).

John F

Yeah, now that I think about it, its not too bright to get a plate to save weight and then add weight on your sta. Although I think one of the ideas behind the travel plate is a reduction in size and weight. I already own the koplin medium SS bp and I use that with a 6# sta and 45# wing for my cold water diving. The new BP/WING will be strictly for travel out of the country to warm water destinations. Weight isnt a huge issue since most international limits are 70lbs. My gear bag is 14lbs, so I really dont think the STA and BP with all my other gear will break the 70lb limit.

 

[gbrandon]

Scuba_Vixen once bubbled...
You're usually going to be in Al 80's which tend to be a bit head heavy and if you add on a SS plate and 3 mil wetsuit, you'll usually end up with floating feet. You're still better off, trim flexibility wise, with an Al plate or a semi rigid setup, and a few pounds on a belt to manage trim. It's also better to have to add a few pounds on a belt so you're not too heavy if you use a skin or swimtrunks in warm areas.

When you're traveling, flexibility in your setup is important.

Darlene



And don't forget, the airlines keep lowering your baggage weight limits....so lighter is better....

Ive never had a problem with being head heavy with a 3mm and a AL80. Now, with my drysuit, a few times it has been a issue, but my main goal in this post is to find a way to get away from a weightbelt. And as far as weight limits, my travel to warm water is always international, so Im not going to have a issue with a 70lb limit.

 

[gbrandon]

Scubaroo once bubbled...
First, the Eclipse wing does not have the slots - it uses a regular STA (of any make, as long as it has 11" holes) that has slots for cambands.

Second, (trying to avoid sounding like self-promotion here), if you're already looking at an OxyCheq wing, OxyCheq has just released the O-Pac at DEMA, which is a single-piece harness soft pack ("semi-rigid" backplate) alternative to a regular travel or aluminum backplate, designed for warm-water and travel diving. And anyone else wanting a one-piece hogarthian harness without the backplate.

Now I understand. The WING doesent have slots. Thats fine by me. My oxycheck 45# doesent either. Ill have to call patrick about the O-pac. Ill check their website to see if they show a pic of one. Strangley enough, when I talked to him regarding my cold water setup, he mentioned that the travel BP's were not good sellers. Maybe the O-pac is being made to address that problem?

 

[Patrick]

I briefly looked at the messages and wanted to add a few comments ....

The O-Pac was introduced at DEMA ... it does not require a STA (single tank adapter) although one can be used with it. Personally, it is not needed and I would not use one with it.

All of our wings do have slots. The next run of wings will have larger slots to accomodate a variety of existing hanress systems other than OxyCheq products.

We also unveiled the "Signature Series" single wing. It comes in at 44 pounds of lift (looks much smaller). Not sure what the name will be in the end ... someone mentioned "44 Special". The wing will have a Kevlar shell, a thick Urethane bladder and a zipper to allow access.

We also introduced a BC/Wing similar to the "Ranger". It has a unique feature that allows you to adjust it from a medium to XL.

I'll try to get photos on the site of all the new products over the next week once I get my head above water from the show.

Thanks for those that stopped by the booth and sorry if I did not get much time with you as it was mildly insane.

Best regards,

Patrick
OxyCheq