Which BCD/BP+W to get?

[Glitch]

Oki I´m pretty dang covinced that BP/W ist the way to go so now I just have to decide which one. OMS doesnät seem to have a Singapoe dealer so it´s between Dive Rite and Halcyon. Tough one any opinions? The prices I got from the two dealers were:

Dive Rite:

SS backplate 270SGD
Standard harness 80SGD/deluxe harness 117SGD
Trek Wing 560SGD
Weight pocket 16lbs 160SGD/32lbs 200SGD

As for the halcyon equipment:

SS backplate + harness plus Eclipse Wing 1142 SGD
weight pockets 85SGD for tank trim weights and 205SGD for ABC weight system

So basically the Dive Rite stuff seems a bit cheaper but I´m not sure how does it work with tank attachment for example? Do you usally have to get e speperate tank mounting kit for singles for example? If that is the case I guess the costs for that would add to that as well.

Do you reckon it would be possible to fit a Halcyon Wing on a Dive Rite backplate? Do these things conform to a standard? I really like tha option of being able to replace the bladder on the halcyon wing even though it is unlikely that I would have to it´s a nice feature.

Hm input please Of course I want to pay as little as possible but I do not want to compromise quality either.

Ah also just remembered another question which capacity weight pockets to get? When diving tropical I´m using 3.2-3.6kg I guess about 7-8lbs. But since I am going to start diving dry suit back home as well I guess i need quite a bit more but I am not sure how much. I´m 1.80cm and weigh about 75kg if that makes a difference
I figured i might as well go for big weight pockets so at least there is no risk of being limited later on but if I won´t need that much wiehgt anyway I´d of course rather go for the cheaper option.

Thanks!

/C

 

[The Wanderer]

Hm input please Of course I want to pay as little as possible but I do not want to compromise quality either.

Thanks!

/C

I bought the Halcyon. Works great right out of the box and will last me for years. I have piece of mind that all parts match and I will only need to repair/replace parts occaissionally and from the same source.

The little more in cost amortized over the life of the equipment is insignificant.

Go for the big blue H.... and wear it proudly and confidently..

 

[grazie42]

Ah also just remembered another question which capacity weight pockets to get? When diving tropical I´m using 3.2-3.6kg I guess about 7-8lbs. But since I am going to start diving dry suit back home as well I guess i need quite a bit more but I am not sure how much. I´m 1.80cm and weigh about 75kg if that makes a difference

Hey, Glitch...
I use about the same weight as you do in warm waters and I´m 184, 75kg...
With my Drysuit and underwear (Ursuit) I use 8kg while diving a 8liter 300Bar tank...

My Drysuit is a shell-type...if you decide to go for a neoprene drysuit I think you´ll need more weight as that suit has greater bouyancy...specially for wreckdiving I´d recommende a shellsuit though...YMMV

 

[Glitch]

Grazie: thanks for the input. So I guess there is no point in getting the cheaper 16lbs weight pocket since 8kg is more than 16lbs. I´ll most likely go for the shellsuit solution. We´ll see what comes out of this on monday

BTW where are you from in Sweden? I´m realy looking forward to start diving back home in Sweden too. Have managed to stay away from home for 6 months now but eventually I´m coming back. I hear the viz is **** and it´s cold as hell sounds like it´s gonna be a lot of fun. Any tips for a newbie to swedish diving? I´m looking for a regulator as well that won´t freeflow on me in cold water any ideas?

Cheers

/C

 

[grazie42]

I live on the "front side" of Sweden

Viz is ok @ around 3 meter (doesent get much better than that...

Cold?
-Hah! We´re past midsummer the surface is a balmy 15C...

Actually I haven´t dived wet yet this summer (in Sweden)...but that´s only ´cause I usually do 2 dives on my dive day and the surface interval tends to leave people feeling like popsicles...
I´ll get around to it one of these days

I use Aqualung (glacia 1st stage), living in "the land of Poseidon" those are popular too and are pretty easy to get cheap used...
If you´re going wreckdiving (and even if you´re not) a good light, I´d say, is a must here...I use a HID light(they´re fairly expensive)...
Of course proper training for wreckdiving (duh) is recommended...each to eaches own...

 

[GoJu]

"I would avoid the Zeagle BP. It's not really standard. Get yourself a standard backplate. " James Goddard


I am curious about this comment as I have a Zeagle BP and have compared it to my buddies's. One is a Dacor and another is a Diverite. It also seemed similar to an OMS BP.
I am A new diver and really am interested in the BP systems and their differences.
For instance i got the delux harness and already would like to switch to a simpler one piece system.
Please let me know the Difference between Zeagle and Other plates. Thank you.
Dive on!

 

[HammerNoMore]

I am curious about this comment as I have a Zeagle BP and have compared it to my buddies's. One is a Dacor and another is a Diverite. It also seemed similar to an OMS BP.
I am A new diver and really am interested in the BP systems and their differences.
For instance i got the delux harness and already would like to switch to a simpler one piece system.
Please let me know the Difference between Zeagle and Other plates. Thank you.
Dive on!

Well, I haven't actually seen one, so it may work just fine with non-Zeagle equipment. If it does, then I apologize. I had assumed that since it was designed to use a Ranger wing it was non-standard. I can't figure any way you'd attach a Ranger wing to my BP.

James

 

[GoJu]

Well, I haven't actually seen one, so it may work just fine with non-Zeagle equipment. If it does, then I apologize. I had assumed that since it was designed to use a Ranger wing it was non-standard. I can't figure any way you'd attach a Ranger wing to my BP.

James

No, you were correct. They are not actually standard. I was at the lds today and was asking more about it. They are quite alike, but my zeagle has few more holes through it. I think I can mix components though. And also diverite's plate is a little wider with more space between the harness slots and top of plate.
I was just curious.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Dive Rite's REC Wings can be used single or double efficientally (sp?) just have to change the brackets.

Depends on what you mean by "efficiently". The Rec Wing is one of four wings I own ... and it was my first purchase.

For singles it works well ... but not nearly as well as my Oxycheq #45. Properly adjusted, the gusset cords work well to control the shape of the wing, but it takes some dives to get them adjusted to best accommodate the size and shape cylinder you are using. Keep in mind that some amount of taco'ing is desireable ... too much and you trap gas in the wing. Furthermore, my experience is that a horseshoe shape isn't the best choice for a singles configuration. The continuous, or "donut" shape (e.g. D.R. Venture, Oxycheq, Halcyon) allows a more effective transfer of air throughout the wing, and makes for easier venting.

For doubles, the Rec wing works well with 7.25" diameter cylinders, but isn't really wide enough to accommodate 8" diameter cylinders properly. When inflated, the wing seems to "bind" beneath the cylinders a bit, making inflation/deflation more difficult than it needs to be. For larger cylinders, a wing built specifically for doubles such as the Classic wing is a better choice.

The Rec Wing is a good choice for people who want one wing for both singles and doubles ... but realize that it presents trade-offs for either configuration.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

For single tanks, you want to get a dougnut shaped wing that is designed for single tank usage. There is no such thing as a wing for both singles and doubles that is going to work well. IMHO, you have two choices here: Halcyon or OMS. I don't like any of the other wings out there. The difference between these two?

Halcyon has 2 wings. One does not have a removable bladder, but has a built in STA. This is the one I use and I love it. The other has a removable bladder but no built in STA.

OMS has one that is similar to the latter of the Halcyon wings.

James

You forgot about Oxycheq ... they make an awesome singles wing, in either a 30# or 45# variety. The standard wing doesn't have a removable bladder, and the Signature series wing does.

The Halcyon "built in STA" consists of a pair or rigid steel rods that run up the inside of the wing, where it attaches to the plate. This configuration is really nice, as it holds the cylinder in really close to the backplate. To my knowledge, no one else offers it.

The DiveRite Venture is also an awesome singles wing ... if you only need 30# of lift. I truly wish D.R. would offer this wing in a 40# lift capacity.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)