Considering a change in Equipment

11065 Views 151 Replies 37 Participants Last post by James-S, May 18, 2010

scuba hippo

Discussion Starter · Apr 26, 2010

I have of late thinking about a change to my equipment, I don't want to go down the DIR route however the thing that appeals to me is the neat / tidy configuration to their equipment. ( not that I am an underwater tramp)
I was recently in Sharm and done a few dives with a guy called Leigh Cunningham, a very knowledgeable chap whos brain I picked on a few gear related topics. He gave me a loan of one of his Halcyon wings which I liked so that was another reason for this possible change.
Just puting this out there to see if people reckon its a good idea or not.
Not planning on changing all my gear, just wing, stages and maybe a couple of other little bits.
ATB
John

1 - 20 of 152 Posts

Naomi S

· #2 · Apr 26, 2010

You will be assimilated, resistance is futile

Sorry couldn't resist. DIR gear rocks, go for it! I would say that though

Two Hats

· #3 · Apr 26, 2010

Leigh is a top bloke, superb in the water. Done some mental diving as well.

I'm not DIR, but I use the 'DIR kit' setup. It's the whole hogathian hog-loop thing. Takes a few dives to get used to it, but I'm fairly happy with it. The OPH can be a bit of a pig though. Once UW however, it's great.

Lots of divers use a wing/BP/OPH, it's no unique to DIR, just as it isn't unique to 'technical' diving. I like the idea of being able to use the same harness whether I have twins or single. I don't need a 'travel' bcd, I just swap to an ally plate.

It's a nice setup, but some people don't like it.

Halcyon do some nice kit, but some of it is bloody pricey, for what it actually is.

Try it all out for a few dives, see if you like it

Reactions: 1

John63

· #4 · Apr 26, 2010

Absolutely no reason why you can't cherry pick kit config ideas from any system (DIR or otherwise) to suit you. Go for it.

Cheers, John

Reactions: 1

TerryH

· #5 · Apr 26, 2010

It's a good idea to revisit your kit every few years, even if you think it's been ok.

If you dive regularly then you can almost put on any BC/wing and away you
go. So you can have a BC/wing that you think is the best, dive it for years
and be astounded one day when you use another brand and find how easy it is
in comparison.

It's not just some perceived logic of going from BC to wing either. The guy
who has dived for years on a larger wing doing what should be easy dives,
almost has an epithany when he borrows a single and BC.

Usual advice is to try out diffrent variants and see what you think. The
backplate and harness is pretty much the same in most brands (apart from
breaks), but the wings can vary in size and type (donut/horseshoe etc.)
Even the position of the inflate and rear dumps can make a diference.

See less See more

johnoh

· #6 · Apr 26, 2010

I'm in the process of doing exactly the same thing.... I got sick of not being able to get to my dry-suit pockets because of the bcd + clutter (+belly) got in the way... switched to wing + bp but haven;t gone all the way to a twinset.. Choose an H eclipse/BP second hand with STA... I must say after a few dives this year, the position in the water is super... much nicer... I was sort of worried about not being upright when on the surface but it wasn't the problem i thought it would be... not noticeable..

the only fly in the ointment and I guess you'll c it from the numerous wing threads is that most are designed for a single or twinset and not both... some are both... but not all...

PipeDown

· #7 · Apr 26, 2010

I'm like londonsean69 - I'm on mostly "DIR" kit but am not a DIR diver. I personally like the setup and think it makes sense for the type of diving I do and switching from twins to singles. I use the cinch harness which eases getting in and out. There are some members of the club that just don't like wings and prefer their jacket type BCs.

davemanroe

· #8 · Apr 26, 2010

I recently changed from the traditional single cylinder / pony and bcd setup to a twinset and wing because of the benefits in range/endurance and redundancy. I'm not into the DIR thing at all - I dive mainly with my BSAC branch. I did however just go on one of the TDI Intro to Tech courses run by Mark Powell, and it really helped with getting my kit sorted out and giving me the basics in working with that type of set up - buoyancy, trim, odd finning techniques and using the Long Hose Of Doom.

Mike Phillipson

· #9 · Apr 26, 2010

i did exactly the same thing, ditched the clips and crap and pockets etc etc.... all to get rid of clutter to help with u/w photo's.. have a peek at my profile pic, frog wing and OPH all the rest of the stuff is the camera

12480

· #10 · Apr 26, 2010

My kit is 90% DIR, no reason not to pick the bits you like without fully converting, although as Naomi says...be careful...it is a slippery slope

Treerat

· #11 · Apr 26, 2010

John63 said:
Absolutely no reason why you can't cherry pick kit config ideas from any system (DIR or otherwise) to suit you. Go for it.

Cheers, John

That's what I've done - works great for me.

scuba hippo

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 27, 2010

Loads of positive feedback there thank you all!
Next drama
Do I sell old kit then buy new
or
Buy then sell old kit
think I might have to speak to the wife...:-S
Can anyone suggest some retailers fro Halcyon kit? Are Underwater Explorers in Dorset my best bet?
ATB

John

Two Hats

· #13 · Apr 27, 2010

scuba hippo said:
Can anyone suggest some retailers fro Halcyon kit? Are Underwater Explorers in Dorset my best bet?

Amphibian in South Norwood. Jim's a top bloke, and that way you can at least drive there and try stuff on

Naomi S

· #14 · Apr 27, 2010

I know a top bloke who will sell you some DIR kit and throw in a day in a puddle to show you how to use it....

Hi name is Chri......I mean.... Rich Walker

(Sorry couldn't resist)

Reactions: 1

johnkendall

· #15 · Apr 27, 2010

scuba hippo said:
Loads of positive feedback there thank you all!
Next drama
Do I sell old kit then buy new
or
Buy then sell old kit
think I might have to speak to the wife...:-S
Can anyone suggest some retailers fro Halcyon kit? Are Underwater Explorers in Dorset my best bet?
ATB

John

Hi John,

All of the names that have been mentioned are good. I am also able to offer training with the purchases. Drop me a PM if you want to chat through your options.

Thanks

John

63322

· #16 · Apr 27, 2010

take it slow and don't sell your old kit until you are happy with the new stuff. set your kit up to suit you. at first glance, my kit may look a bit DIRish, but it's definitely not. i got my single wing set-up because it was a lot cheaper than a new decent BCD and the simplicity appealed.

s/s backplate - £45 off ebay and not a spot of rust
frog single wing - £100 brand new courtesy of one of mr niknaks deals (shame niknaks is no more)
webbing and D-rings etc - £not much

12480

· #17 · Apr 27, 2010

I second Mr plants appraisal. I have the Frog midnight for my twins and the indigo for my single, both are of top quality and worth consideration before parting with your hard earned, also IST have just released there range of wings at an equally good price.

Regardless of what anyone says there is little between the frog and halcyon range, I have handled the IST range but not dived it, the quality seemed very good.

For IST speak to Anthony http://www.scubadivingstore.co.uk/a...sid=c76fe30950f186b11af86cc479df2efc&x=26&y=6

For frog I am sure dive life stock them Searching products from DiveLife - Scuba diving equipment from all the UK's major diving...

Mal Bridgeman

· #18 · Apr 27, 2010

scuba hippo said:
I have of late thinking about a change to my equipment, I don't want to go down the DIR route however the thing that appeals to me is the neat / tidy configuration to their equipment. ( not that I am an underwater tramp)
I was recently in Sharm and done a few dives with a guy called Leigh Cunningham, a very knowledgeable chap whos brain I picked on a few gear related topics. He gave me a loan of one of his Halcyon wings which I liked so that was another reason for this possible change.
Just puting this out there to see if people reckon its a good idea or not.
Not planning on changing all my gear, just wing, stages and maybe a couple of other little bits.
ATB
John

As a matter of interest, what is it that makes you not "want to go down the DIR route"? If you were talking to Leigh then no doubt he would have mentioned how much he got from the training despite having done all the diving he had done!

It's a bit of a fascination of mine as to why people want to "cherry pick" bits of DIR when the truth (IMO) is the strength really comes from taking it all......the kit config is just a kit config.

Mal

Reactions: 1

Paul_c

· #19 · Apr 27, 2010

i have just moved from a bcd to a wing oph etc

and i do like how relativly uncluttered i feel. i do need to tweek my rig a little to get it all sorted.

i do need to get a few more bits n bobs like a second thigh pouch, and sort out my D rings a little better but it does feel very comfy. i am glad i was adivised to not get the bolt on adjustable harness i was looking at.

as to going DIR.

tbh i would conisder it to see what the fuss is but frankly im not prepared to dive in a drysuit and i doubt very much that my bungeered duel bladder wing and wetsuit combo will be aceptable to them.

if im wrong tell me so i am corected for all to see.

Naomi S

· #20 · Apr 27, 2010

Paul_c said:
i have just moved from a bcd to a wing oph etc

and i do like how relativly uncluttered i feel. i do need to tweek my rig a little to get it all sorted.

i do need to get a few more bits n bobs like a second thigh pouch, and sort out my D rings a little better but it does feel very comfy. i am glad i was adivised to not get the bolt on adjustable harness i was looking at.

as to going DIR.

tbh i would conisder it to see what the fuss is but frankly im not prepared to dive in a drysuit and i doubt very much that my bungeered duel bladder wing and wetsuit combo will be aceptable to them.

if im wrong tell me so i am corected for all to see.

You are not wrong

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