40lb Explorer

[peterdevlin]

Originally Posted by Scuttler

Halcyon: DIR Dive Systems

try this

Many thanks .... looks very good .... probably not so good for Explorer resale ;-(

[IanW]

Personally I cannot see what all the fuss is about with the Evolve - I honestly think that it's popularity owes more to fad and fashion than any genuine benefit. And yes, before you ask, I have dived an Evolve but was left on both occasions with this nagging 'what's all the fuss about?' feeling. Even when diving with multiple stage cylinders (the configuration with which you're supposed to get maximum benefit from the Evolve' dough-nut design), it didn't really feel any easier or more difficult to dive than my trusty old 40lb Explorer.

The other thing that I noticed about the Evolve was the material which is definately *thinner* than that used on the Explorer. My Explorer has taken some serious punishment over the years and I'm honestly not convinced that the Evolve would have lasted quite so well! Just compare the two side by side - the material used to make the Explorer wings is definately a lot thicker!

The other thing that I really didn't like about the Evolve wing was how high it is at the top. Whilst this does aid gas migration, it also means that the wing gets in the way of the first stage hoses which can be a real pain in the arse! The Evolve doesn't work particularly well with Fabers either - whilst it was the perfect shape and size on my Heisers, my mate (who I borrowed the wing from) has Fabers and he has to be *very* careful not to rip the arse of the wing when he's kitting up due to the shorter length of the Faber cylinders.

Personally I think that a lot of the people who are rushing out to buy the Evolve are doing so out of fad and fashion which is why people like Aquanauts are selling so many. Most of the guys I dive with, though, are less convinced and are sticking with their Explorers. After all, why fix something that aint broken? I have absolutely no problem achieving good trim with my Explorer and dumping gas from the wing is easy so why bother changing? I suspect sales of the Explorer will go back up again once this current 'fad' wears off...

Just my 5c worth...

[Little Pete]

I think Ian has some very good points.

If you're after very fine adjustments of very good trim it can be a nice addition I'm told. Rich Walker changed and found he could hold perfect trim without wiggling his fins at all (he used to do it a touch with the Explorer). But he admitted that it was something only he really noticed.

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Little Pete

I think Ian has some very good points.

If you're after very fine adjustments of very good trim it can be a nice addition I'm told. Rich Walker changed and found he could hold perfect trim without wiggling his fins at all (he used to do it a touch with the Explorer). But he admitted that it was something only he really noticed.

RichW had 'busy feet'?!!! Surely not?

[divingniknaks]

Originally Posted by Bardo

RichW had 'busy feet'?!!! Surely not?

Heresy, heresy I say ! I will not have that slur cast on such a fine man.

Now about that reval

[GLOC]

Originally Posted by divingniknaks

Now about that reval

It's Gledders that loves chocolate....Oh you mean re-eval....? I think you will need more that a small packet of chocolates

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by divingniknaks

Heresy, heresy I say ! I will not have that slur cast on such a fine man.

Now about that reval

LOL! Always worth a try, eh Phil!

[northnottsdiver]

Originally Posted by RichW

OK, Halcyon recommend the 55 for HEAVY steel cylinders. UK/Europoean cylinders are NOT heavy. This statement refers to US spec 104's.

For 12L setups, the 40 is ample in most applications.

Rich

I have just started to get some kit together after a long break from diving and I followed the same recommendation from the Halcyon site and bought a 55 explorer. After speaking to a few guys (thanks Howard!) and searching the threads on YD it would appear that the 40 evolve is the way to go with the euro 12's.

Should I sell the 55 and get a 40 or just put up with the bigger size? I am looking towards DIR so I would like to get things right now.

Thanks

Anthony

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by northnottsdiver

I have just started to get some kit together after a long break from diving and I followed the same recommendation from the Halcyon site and bought a 55 explorer. After speaking to a few guys (thanks Howard!) and searching the threads on YD it would appear that the 40 evolve is the way to go with the euro 12's.

Should I sell the 55 and get a 40 or just put up with the bigger size? I am looking towards DIR so I would like to get things right now.

Thanks

Anthony

As Rich said, the 55lb wing is really more suitable for heavy steel cylinders. Euro/Heiser cylinders are quite skinny too - especially compared to heavy US 104s - so the wing tends to 'wrap and flap' alot more than it does on, say, a set of Fabers. Personally I would recommend you move the 55lb Explorer on if you intend to dive Euro cylinders - the Evolve is far more suitable to this configuration. You'll find that the Evolve will be far more comfortable and is much easier to trim out and dump gas from. If you're going for Fabers, though, the 55lb Explorer is still a very useable wing with these cylinders.

My vote definately goes to the Evolve - a splendid peice of kit!

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by northnottsdiver

Should I sell the 55 and get a 40 or just put up with the bigger size? I am looking towards DIR so I would like to get things right now.

I would certainly look to change the 55lb out for 40lb but there are many options both in terms of design (donut Vs horseshoe) and manufacturer (Frog, DSS, Dive Rite etc).

Personally I use the Frog Midnight with 12L Heisers with Ali stages and it is a very nice wing. The 40lb Evolve is nice too but I personally prefer the trim of the Frog.

Try as many as you can and see which you prefer.