Thinking of getting a Halcyon BCD??? Which one?

[alv0065]

So I am wanting to go all in on GUE Fundamentals, and I am finally getting a Halcyon. What should be the go-to one that I go for? It seems like generally the main difference (other than singles vs doubles) is weight... I do like diving drysuit, but I would say my diving is generally 50/50 dry suit vs non, which I guess might make it difficult to decide. I would eventually like to go cave, but I don't know what the timeline on is on that.

So... first Halcyon BCD for Fundies, what should I get?

 

[crofrog]

What tanks do you dive? Doubles or single?

 

[JoeTPhilly]

Halcyon 30 lb Eclipse System with stainless steel plate for single tank. You can add a Evolve or Legend wing when you switch to doubles.

 

[SpeedyJ]

I personally would start with an aluminum plate. It gives you more flexibility in the weight distribution across your rig than a stainless plate will allow across a range of environments.

I have a stainless plate, but found while I want the weight, I need it lower down to trim out well so it tends to hang in my closet looking pretty instead of going diving.

 

[Oldbear]

For the Fundy courses, Rec and Tec, the BP/Wing will serve you best for the course and the future.

There are numerous configures of BP/W. But basically you have a web harness, wing and plate. Wings determine lift needed. Plates hold the cylinder(s) on you. They add weight, Al about 2-3 lbs and Steel about 5 lbs. I use steel because I want the weight and it calculates into my buoyancy and trim.

Working on buoyancy and trim out weight equipment brand. Like JoeTPhilly said, the 30# wing is a good starting size. As far as plates go, I sell about 1 Al plate for every 20 steel plates….just saying.

 

[DrakeTheDiver]

I dive a Halcyon Eclipse 30, which has been a great rig. If you swap to doubles you can easily swap to another wing late. I dive 99% dry up here in Michigan and have never had an issue floating even with a steel tank, but I don't generally need that much weight given diving dry.

 

[Endler's]

Make certain to get Traveler style wing, with cam band slots, for use w/o STA.

 

[h2o_hamilton]

So I am wanting to go all in on GUE Fundamentals, and I am finally getting a Halcyon. What should be the go-to one that I go for? It seems like generally the main difference (other than singles vs doubles) is weight... I do like diving drysuit, but I would say my diving is generally 50/50 dry suit vs non, which I guess might make it difficult to decide. I would eventually like to go cave, but I don't know what the timeline on is on that.

So... first Halcyon BCD for Fundies, what should I get?r

 

[h2o_hamilton]

Rent. In my experience at two different GUE shops, the cost is negligible ($100?) and you can learn about the wings and plates.

Alternatively, Dive Rite and Apeks have nice wings. Dive Gear Express hands down for plates, webbing and accessories.

 

[dray_gnv]

You may want to talk with your GUE instructor before making this investment. They can talk you through your goals, short term and longer term, and other aspects that can influence this decision. I bought a Halcyon BP/W before starting Fundies. It worked out fine, but I might have bought a long backplate if I had spoken with my instructor first. If you are taking the course someplace like north central Florida, where I did, there's easy access to shops with the gear you'll need for rental or purchase.