when shopping for a bp/w.

[topcover]

Lately I've been considering aquiring some basic gear, and while at a local store the other day was shown a halcyon bc/w system and was introduced to back plates.

I've been diving for years, but always at tropical destinations on rented gear. Which usually meant jacket style bcd's where the fit varied depending on the dive.

I really like the idea of the back plate rig, and so have starting browsing the forum searching for info on rigs/setups and while its a little daunting its always a fun part of getting new gear. I'm doing my best to search through the forums and find info on topics which have no doubt have been discussed before, but there is a lot to search through, and it seems like there are a lot of great people on here who like to share info, so I thought a few q's wouldnt hurt.

background on my diving. I've got my advanced open water, and I currently get 10-20 dives per year, usually on vacation, but would like to start expanding those numbers. I skydive a lot, and scuba is another area I currently enjoy that I'm looking to find more time for. It might not be a crazy rush kind of extreme, but there is something amazing about being underwater that fills a similar adventurous need I seem to have.

build wise, I'm 6'3" 190lbs and in shape. I've a low enough body fat that I seem to get chilled a little easy, and even in warm waters are usually in at least a 3mm.

For now I'd just be looking for a single tank system.

on to a few questions.

for type of rig needed, I'm hoping to find something that I could use on travel, for warm water dives, but have enough lift for local cold water/drysuit dives. I'm guessing 80% of my dives will be warm water, with the remaining 20% up here off vancouver. So I'm not sure if a 30lb wing would be enough, or if to have a safer margin I should go with a 40lb and just have more than I need when traveling?

When I started doing research into putting a backplate rig together theres a lot to wade through and I'm trying to figure out how much I need to spend for a quality system. I'd much rather spend a bit more for something thats going to fit better, and last longer. But I know in every industry certain name brands have a logo tax that might not be nessicary.

My local ds has the halcyon infinity for 820.00, and when I look around online I see systems from what seem like quality manufacturers (based on searching the forums) for what seem like a lot less.

scubatoys has a dive rite/oxycheq system with mares proton reg's for the same price as just the halcyon. $875 Extreme Reg and BPW Setup discounts on sale ScubaToys

deepseasupply has a single tank setup for 480

diverightinscuba has some hog/hollis packages in the 800$ range taht inc regs.

basically I'm trying to find out if my local shop is way out of range, or if the halcyon is expected to be that much more.

If I can get a full backplate rig with regs and hoses for the same price as just the halcyon... what am I missing? Even if I just picked up a 490$ bp/w system I could go get the rest of the gear on my own and still end near the start price of the halcyon.

Like I said, I'm trying not fall into "I saved money... and then wished I had just spent more" but some of the packages seem to be equipped with gear that has gotten favorable reviews here on the boards.

I'd love to hear from people who might be able to run through what I'm looking for in a system, and at least point me in a direction that I can do some more focused research.

thanks

 

[topcover]

hmmm, after rereading, my post might be long for those with short attention spans. coles notes.

6'3" 190lb diver - 80% warm water dives 20% cold water drysuit dives. new to bw/p, but like what I see

looking for bw/p system to take with me traveling. single tank, simple system, but also use on occasional drysuit dive

finding prices varies a lot in putting together a system, looking for help to narrow down research based on my needs

want to get quality gear that I only have to buy once, and not regret purchase.

cheers

 

[Scott L]

Based upon your informative write-up, I would highly suggest a DeepSeaSupply BP/wing system as they are the only major supplier who offers longer plates for taller divers. Give Tobin (owner) a call and he will expertly advise you on BP and wing selections. You defiantly will require a steel plate...

www.deepseasupply.com

 

[aquaregia]

My Halcyon SS BP holds the webbing much better than my DiveRite AL BP, which slips. All other factors equal.

 

[snowmaker]

You will pay for the name Halcyon. Deep Sea Supply has a long plate you might want to look at since you said your 6'3". I dive a DSS rig for both doubles and singles. As for lift it depends on many things besides just you weight. What kind of tanks are you diving. There's a big difference between Al and steel. What kind of exposure protection. A drysuit will require more lift then a wetsuit because you still want to be able get up if it floods.

Halcyon makes a good product but there are other choices that are just as good.

 

[a22shady]

My G/F and I both Dive the Halcyon Eclipse system and love it. The cinch system is noce to have I think the pad ar not needed but it comes with the infinty system. I would also shop around for a deal. It is hard to get one as the require the Stores to sell at a speciific price usually give a Standard 10% off but if you call around to a few different shops you should be able to get a better deal or even try working something out with your LDS. The nice thing about BP/W is if you ever go into doubles all you need is a doubles wing. When diving warm/Cold water with different suit's it's a simple adjument for that perfect fit. no more moving BC or having the BC ride up.

As for the other systems out there are a less expensive options and less expensive doesn't mean less quality (DSS - Hollis - Diverite - HOG) Hog being the least expensive and produces quality gear. DSS is good gear have not seen it in person but have heard good things and the owner (Tobin) is usually on the board and is always willing to help.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I own a Halcyon Eclipse 30 with Halcyon SS BP (OMS AL BP for warm water trips) and use Apeks regs (ATX100/50/FST). I also own Aqualung Legend and Apeks XTX200/50/FSR reg setups. The gear works well. One of my dive buddies had a serious customer service issue with Halcyon. It's a long story (company wouldn't offer to help repair or even recommend how to repair wing puncture -- told friend to search the Internet for solutions; not good), but I would no longer recommend patronizing Halcyon because of it. That being said, the Eclipse wing has performed well for me with no issues. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Apeks and Aqualung Legend regs. They breathe great. I do my own reg servicing.

If I were in your position (need BP/W and regs), I would purchase a Deep Sea Supply BP/W setup. Talk to Tobin and ensure that the wing is sized appropriately for cold water Vancouver diving. The LCD30 or similar will probably be sufficient. For regs, I would look into the HOG brand (first stage with environmentally sealed cold water kit). In time, if you have the desire to, you can learn how to service the HOG regs. If you don't have the desire to DIY service, you shouldn't have any issues finding a reg tech that can work on them (very similar to Apeks regs).

Shop around. You'll end up spending $900-$950 for both the BP/W and regs. You could certainly spend less on some other gear, but I think you'll be very happy with this particular BC/reg combo.

 

[fisheater]

Another vote for DSS.

Give Tobin there a call and he'll walk you through the process of getting a system perfect for you.

 

[topcover]

thanks for the input. I'll give tobin a call and see what he can do for my needs. I'm all for putting money towards quality gear. but when I can get the bp/w plus a reg package for almost the same as the halcyon it seemed worth it to look into those systems.

 

[DevonDiver]

I've owned 3 Halcyon wings (2x Eclipse / 1x Evolve) and they are great kit. Having said that, I've seen how Tobin from DSS (cool_hardware52) inter-acts and assists divers here on the forum (and I am guessing the same service from his website etc). That level of service is priceless.