STEELS for stages?

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Do you really see the Halcyon with its poor reputation for dodgy inflater's, inflation hoses falling off and fraying seams as being better made than the Frog?

I speak as I find, Mark - I own four Halcyon wings (two of which have stainless steel inflators) and I've had nothing but good service from them. For the record, I also own a Frog Indigo wing which I like a lot too...

[Ahmed Adly]

Originally Posted by Bardo

I speak as I find, Mark - I own four Halcyon wings (two of which have stainless steel inflators) and I've had nothing but good service from them. For the record, I also own a Frog Indigo wing which I like a lot too...

Why on earth do you own so many wings?

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly

Why on earth do you own so many wings?

Ok, seems I was a bit over zealous with my wing count - I actually have three Halcyon wings now (a 40lb Evolve, a 40lb Explorer and a 55lb Explorer) plus the Indigo that I use for single tank diving. I did try to move the 55lb wing on but no one seems to want them these days - it's all 40lb or nothing, it seems. It's not really a problem, though, as it comes in useful if I'm diving larger cylinders.

As for the rest of the wings, they all have a use - I use the 40lb Evolve when I'm diving my Heisers and the 40lb Explorer for twin 12 Fabers. Technically I don't need the 40lb Explorer but I just love it... of all the wings I own, it would be the last out of the door.

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly

Why on earth do you own so many wings?

Coz hes not alowed a bungeed one that does all tank combinations


ATB

Mark

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Coz hes not alowed a bungeed one that does all tank combinations

LOL! Good answer, Mark - that definately deserves a green!

[Ahmed Adly]

Yeah you aren't allowed bungeed wings hahahaha

can I have a green too please

[ianfirmin]

Since I've never owned a Halcyon wing (or a Frog for that matter) I can't comment on those brands. However I do own a couple of DiveRite wings and one OMS wing. Both DiveRites have been as reliable as a rock (but with more buoyancy). The OMS wing is always playing up. Once, when buying spares over the phone, I was advised "They all do that Sir".

With regards to steel stages. I use a 7 litre steel. It has a negative buoyancy (in fresh water) of 3.75kg when full of air and 1.8kg empty. It's an absolute pita when attached to the top D ring, ruining my trim. With only the top clip attached to a waist D ring it's perfect and 2kg comes off the belt.

ATB
Ian

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by ianfirmin

With regards to steel stages. I use a 7 litre steel. It has a negative buoyancy (in fresh water) of 3.75kg when full of air and 1.8kg empty. It's an absolute pita when attached to the top D ring, ruining my trim. With only the top clip attached to a waist D ring it's perfect and 2kg comes off the belt.

ATB
Ian

Blimey what sort of steel 7 is that?

My 7s float up with 100bar in even in fresh water like the pics below.

[ianfirmin]

Standard faber 232 bar. The trick is to have the top clip further down the cylinder. So they are well balanced with one attachment point when full. Since on a ccr they are being used as bailout then the "bottom light" aspect when the pressure is down is acceptable as you are on the way to the surface anyway. There's nothing to stop you, at that stage, moving the attachment points and using the bottom clip (if you could be bothered).

The main point being that the bailout stage is not generally going to be used. It's just extra weight and drag most of the time. One attachment point down at the waist keeps the thing out of the way and streamlined. Just make sure the hose is long enough to reach your mouth. I use a standard octopus hose which is fine.

ATB
Ian

[weazelz]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Blimey what sort of steel 7 is that?

one with a reg on it?

My 7s float up with 100bar in even in fresh water like the pics below.

sitting on the bottom arse-up doesn't mean they're floating

didn't this thread get done not so long ago?

edit: here is it:

Stage Cylinders - Ali or Steel