Halcyon BCs

[Bib]

Anyone use Halcyon gear, or know someone who does. And how do you/they like their stuff? Specifically the Pioneer 27's.
Thanks.
www.halcyon.net

[swimndive]

I bought my 27 in '98. My girlfriend tried it and liked it so I got her on for xmas that year. Everyone else I know who has tried one has bought one (that number is around 30 at this point). I've managed to punch holes in both our bladders a few times, but nothing that I haven't been able to repair so far. When these bladders finally shit the bed I will buy more. ed

[100days-a-year]

They are far and above the best bladders out right now.I have a small one for most of my diving that cost me a c-note used 3 yrs ago.It looks new with 500 dives on it.I dive a Dive-Rite with doubles,but when it craps out I'm getting a 55 or 65 Explorer.I dove Zeagle,OMS,SeaElite(a cheaper Dive Rite)and none were as well made and all had serious issues with snagging on stuff and trapping air and water.

[Steel Shootin']

Halcyon makes a great product. I just changed to a FredT BP with a Halcyon 36 Pioneer wing, and could not be more pleased. I had heard about the air trapping with other wings, but I can only talk about my Halcyon, and it does NOT trap air or water. Great wing, and tough construction.

100: Roger on that explorer. That's the next goody I want. I've got the doubles set-up.....just need the explorer wing.

Hell, I'd be a DIR diver at this point were it not for the fact that I like to shoot fish, and drink beer thereafter! :D

[greyface]

LOL! Our own Uncle Pug!:D

[Steel Shootin']

Originally posted by greyface
LOL! Our own Uncle Pug!:D Uncle Pug is a cool guy, and while it's tough to gauge someone's knowledge from a public forum, I can tell he definitely know his stuff.

Damn, I hate having a DIR rig, because it means I have to quit arguing with those brain washed quasi-cult outcasts. :D

[NOTE: the last paragraph, above, was a joke, and not a troll!]

[poorshot]

I hate having to show my ignorance again but what is a DIR rig?

[greyface]

Art, DIR (Doing It Right) is an almost cultlike diving technique,(can't remember who wrote the book) borderline religon. :D Many cavers have this mindset/equipment figuration. Example: Backpack w/ wings, 7' (you read it right) octo hose, bungeed around the neck. The only problem I have with these folks, is, if you're not of the DIR philosophy, you're DIW, or a "stroke" in their lingo. Check out: www.scubasource.com
Scott, I agree, Uncle Pug is the MAN, he just comes off a little more than arrogant, don't you think?

[Steel Shootin']

Originally posted by greyface
Art, DIR (Doing It Right) is an almost cultlike diving technique,(can't remember who wrote the book) borderline religon. :D Many cavers have this mindset/equipment figuration. Example: Backpack w/ wings, 7' (you read it right) octo hose, bungeed around the neck. The only problem I have with these folks, is, if you're not of the DIR philosophy, you're DIW, or a "stroke" in their lingo. Check out: www.scubasource.com
Scott, I agree, Uncle Pug is the MAN, he just comes off a little more than arrogant, don't you think? Greyface, that "cult like" persona represents the view a lot of non-DIRs have of DIR. My comment about the beer drinking thing was a joke based on this perception. I respect DIR guys, personally. Yes, UP can come off as a little arrogant, but I don't believe he is trying to offend anyone.

I hope I have not opened a can of worms here .....:eek:

Originally posted by poorshot
I hate having to show my ignorance again but what is a DIR rig? Art, I should make the distinction at this point between DIR and wearing a BP/Wing. I am wearing a BP/Wing, and adopting some of the DIR suggestions on diving. That does not make me a "DIR diver." It makes me someone who is using equipment that DIR guys also happen to use. DIR is not any one piece of gear, it's more of a protocol that it to be adopted, including the usage of particular gear.

I do not claim to be even close to an expert on DIR, but the fact that the major emphasis is on buddy awareness and buddy contact rules out that most spearfishermen are to be considered DIR. Maybe someone will correct me on this point, and tell me how they and their buddies spear using a DIR type protocol. I'd be interested in hearing about it. I'm here to learn, too, and am all for spearboard being a tool to improve safety while spearing.

I'll take some photos of my BP/Wing to give you a better idea of the BC system we're talking about here.

[greyface]

No can of worms, bro!:D I hope I didn't come off as flaming DIR. I have nothing but theutmost respect for those floks. I wouldn't even concider taking DIRF at this point. I, too, would be interested in DIR spearing. Or is that an oxymoron?!:p

[FredT]

Please don't confuse me with the church!

I prefer to do a Hogarthian rig. DIR is a subset of Hogarthian (from Bill Hogarth Main of cave diving fame).

BTW the DIR 7' (or 5' of you don't have a canister light) hose goes on the primary reg, the short 20 something inch hose (length varies with rig) goes on your necklaced secondary reg. In case of an OH SH*T you donate the primary to your buddy.

OTOH if I can't trust my buddy to give my reg back after he borrows a breath, I'll dive solo. I rarely carry an octo of ANY description, necklaced or not. I don't do overheads and can swim up from almost any depth I'm likely to be on the air left in my lungs AFTER I exhale!

I find the long hose most effective on my deck deco bottle, as it allows access to the cooler without dragging the bottle.:D

FT

[junior]

Several of the guys I knew in Ft Lauderdale dove Halcyons and they raved about them. Never tried it myself, but they certainly look like the shit. Seems to be a higher end deal than waht I typically do. I have a Zeagle that hangs in the closet while I'm doing my best to wear out my 20 year old scubapro jacket that I picked up in a pawn show for ten bucks.

[100days-a-year]

JUst a few of the reasonspearfishermen are rarely DIR.1 solo diving.2. over 100' on air nitrox.3. Using a computer. 4.No splitfins.5.no wetsuit and steel tanks in the ocean.6.not me but most BEER.They are a good lot,I've only met one that was a dick,but he's been one all his life according to friends.When doing what they do deep and overhead they have a point there is only one best way.

[WreckDiver]

DIR talk is for that other board, can we get back to spearfishing,
or at least target practice on cats!

[greyface]

LMAO!

[swimndive]

Originally posted by 100days-a-year
JUst a few of the reasonspearfishermen are rarely DIR.1 solo diving.2. over 100' on air nitrox.3. Using a computer. 4.No splitfins.5.no wetsuit and steel tanks in the ocean.6.not me but most BEER.They are a good lot,I've only met one that was a dick,but he's been one all his life according to friends.When doing what they do deep and overhead they have a point there is only one best way.

Tony, You are right, most spear fisherman are not DIR and don't have the discipline much less the interest to learn it for a whole variety of reasons. The bottom line is, those who are willing to put forth the extra effort to learn about DIR, choose to apply it to all their diving, and those that don't, don't. All the reasons you mentioned above are only the symptoms of a figurative disease. DIR is not a really solution to anything, it's really more about preventing and eliminating risk from most things. The funny thing about DIR spearfishing is that it can be done safely and effectively at extreme depths, but when those same rules are applied to 100 footer it's called too conservative. Since both these statements can not be, true it's up the diver to decide.

DIR or DON’T. You can Kill a Kat or Poke a Pussy. Ain't America great. Dive and let dive.

O.K I'm off my soapbox.


Yeah, Halcyon makes some pretty good bladders too. ed