WillAbbott
Guest
Well, I tried out a BP/Wings set up this weekend, and slowly I'm becoming more and more DIR. I also got a computer from a friend who was upgrading, and though it is a console, I still attach it to my BC with a single Bolt snap as in DIR (and like it that way, no cheasy retractor for me 
)
But I did also try an wing set up, I belive the BP was OMS, it was an older single tank Halcyon wing (no integrated STA) an STA, and a Dive Rite Delux Harness.
First off, I would NOT buy the same set up. I would buy a full Halcyon rig, with the single peice harness. I proved the point while still in the dive shop. I was just standing there checking the fit, and accidentally popped the "quick" release snap on the shoulder... WAY too easily.
That being aside, it was very comfortable in and out of the water, though the plate and STA weight more than a normal BC (and you could feel the extra weight) it was still comfortable even though it felt heavier.
In the water I did find it slightly difficult to maintain vertical a few times, but quickly found that letting more air out of the wing, and more into my drysuit kept me at the same buoyancy but without trouble staying upright.
I do belive I was overweight, which I didn't like. The harness also was missing the crotch strap, which didn't seem to effect it much (not knowing for sure, it still fit and stayed on me ok) the waist strap was too loose, and I couldn't tighten it fully, it kept sagging down on me slightly (had weight pockets as well)
Once I finally got underwater I found it interesting, it did have a tendancy to hold me horizontal, though I had no trouble in changing that attitude (to go deeper, look in holes, etc) but it did 'feel' as if it wouldn't let me pivot, though it would let me. The shorter LPI hose was a little awkward in that I had difficulty finding it a few times being SO used to longer ones. However it worked 10x better, and liked venting with it much more.
The left side lower dump valve is WAY better, I don't know why anyone would put it on the right side, I even tried it at one point, and found it easier to find and use than other BC's.
The LPI was also awkward in that it was the older style with the inflate button on the left side (which the newer ones have it on the right side) it was a real pain to inflate with it like that, but newer ones wouldn't be.
I used 39lbs of weight, including ankle weights, and the weight of the STA/BP I feel as if I was at least 2-4lbs heavy as I sunk quite easily from the surface, but also in moving up and down 5-10 feet that I had to vent or add way more air than normal. I felt like my buoyancy control was worse than my first day in the pool. (though I never was really bad, I did bounce around too much for my liking) I used 37 later this weekend with my instructors BC's and actually felt a little light at the surface, I was floaty until 5' down at which point I was heavy. Seems like his BC's are 2lbs more buoyant than any BC I've used before as 35.5 has been enough to hold me down on 500psi on a jacket BC at 5-10feet under. Where as with his, I slowly sank until hitting 5feet and finnaly was weighted right (so I was a little light on the surface, but fine after 5')
Overall I guess it was a questionable experience. There were items I liked and disliked. I haven't rulled out a BP/Wing set up, however I'm not as sure I want one now. I will more than likely give it a nother opportunity, possibly with less weight, to see. But I really didn't like the yo-yo ride I was having, the loose waist strap (easily fixed with my own BP), and it was a little weird of a feeling. I'm sure with a properly fit rig, proper weighting, and a few dives that I would enjoy it FAR more than this dive.
It seems from previous readings on the board there have been others who didn't like the BP/Wing at first but later gave it another shot and did enjoy it far more. Maybe I will be the same way. I do also have a club member or 2 who offered to let me try thiers, with the DIR harness, maybe I will take them up on it now, so I can get a feel for a PROPER rig, and all.
Any oppinions, comments, etc. Greatly appreciated. As well as suggestions as to why I had the issues I did. Just for reference, I used 30lbs (15 per side) in the weight pockets, and I belive the ankles were like 2lbs total, plus the BP, and seperate STA (not a weighted one, so around 1-2lbs)
)But I did also try an wing set up, I belive the BP was OMS, it was an older single tank Halcyon wing (no integrated STA) an STA, and a Dive Rite Delux Harness.
First off, I would NOT buy the same set up. I would buy a full Halcyon rig, with the single peice harness. I proved the point while still in the dive shop. I was just standing there checking the fit, and accidentally popped the "quick" release snap on the shoulder... WAY too easily.
That being aside, it was very comfortable in and out of the water, though the plate and STA weight more than a normal BC (and you could feel the extra weight) it was still comfortable even though it felt heavier.
In the water I did find it slightly difficult to maintain vertical a few times, but quickly found that letting more air out of the wing, and more into my drysuit kept me at the same buoyancy but without trouble staying upright.
I do belive I was overweight, which I didn't like. The harness also was missing the crotch strap, which didn't seem to effect it much (not knowing for sure, it still fit and stayed on me ok) the waist strap was too loose, and I couldn't tighten it fully, it kept sagging down on me slightly (had weight pockets as well)
Once I finally got underwater I found it interesting, it did have a tendancy to hold me horizontal, though I had no trouble in changing that attitude (to go deeper, look in holes, etc) but it did 'feel' as if it wouldn't let me pivot, though it would let me. The shorter LPI hose was a little awkward in that I had difficulty finding it a few times being SO used to longer ones. However it worked 10x better, and liked venting with it much more.
The left side lower dump valve is WAY better, I don't know why anyone would put it on the right side, I even tried it at one point, and found it easier to find and use than other BC's.
The LPI was also awkward in that it was the older style with the inflate button on the left side (which the newer ones have it on the right side) it was a real pain to inflate with it like that, but newer ones wouldn't be.
I used 39lbs of weight, including ankle weights, and the weight of the STA/BP I feel as if I was at least 2-4lbs heavy as I sunk quite easily from the surface, but also in moving up and down 5-10 feet that I had to vent or add way more air than normal. I felt like my buoyancy control was worse than my first day in the pool. (though I never was really bad, I did bounce around too much for my liking) I used 37 later this weekend with my instructors BC's and actually felt a little light at the surface, I was floaty until 5' down at which point I was heavy. Seems like his BC's are 2lbs more buoyant than any BC I've used before as 35.5 has been enough to hold me down on 500psi on a jacket BC at 5-10feet under. Where as with his, I slowly sank until hitting 5feet and finnaly was weighted right (so I was a little light on the surface, but fine after 5')
Overall I guess it was a questionable experience. There were items I liked and disliked. I haven't rulled out a BP/Wing set up, however I'm not as sure I want one now. I will more than likely give it a nother opportunity, possibly with less weight, to see. But I really didn't like the yo-yo ride I was having, the loose waist strap (easily fixed with my own BP), and it was a little weird of a feeling. I'm sure with a properly fit rig, proper weighting, and a few dives that I would enjoy it FAR more than this dive.
It seems from previous readings on the board there have been others who didn't like the BP/Wing at first but later gave it another shot and did enjoy it far more. Maybe I will be the same way. I do also have a club member or 2 who offered to let me try thiers, with the DIR harness, maybe I will take them up on it now, so I can get a feel for a PROPER rig, and all.
Any oppinions, comments, etc. Greatly appreciated. As well as suggestions as to why I had the issues I did. Just for reference, I used 30lbs (15 per side) in the weight pockets, and I belive the ankles were like 2lbs total, plus the BP, and seperate STA (not a weighted one, so around 1-2lbs)
