Kevin,

I dive N. Cal and dive a lot from inflatables - that means that the wing
needs to be able to float the scuba unit whilst getting in and out. I have a
SS backplate that, for recreational diving, I use with a single HP 80 with
an additional 18lbs of lead. With the single tank the total weight
(actually -ve buoyancy) that the wing needs to support is approximately:
	Lead		18lbs
	Backplate	6lbs
	Canister light	2lbs
	Tank (full)	7lbs
	2 x regulators	2lbs

	Total:		35lbs

So the 36lb Pioneer wing is barely (read not really) adequate, and I've just
purchased a 45lb Pioneer wing.

Your lead is a bit less, but your tank is a bit more, so your figures will
be close - do the sums yourself. If you don't dive off inflatables you could
get away with a rig that doesn't float itself - but then do you want to risk
losing it if you ever need to get out of it (or get taken out of it)? I
don't know of anyone who dives around here with less than about 36lbs of
lift.

At DEMA the Halcyon sales reps were trying to talk us (and others) out of
the 45lb wing - saying that much lift is not needed for a normal single tank
rig. Another example of the warm-water divers / cave divers not appreciating
what's really involved in regularly diving in cold open ocean water.

By the way, I once had a scuba unit (one with 34lbs lift) sink when it came
unclipped from the gear line on the boat while bouncing around in rough
seas. If you ever pull up a gear line to find that about $2000 worth of
scuba unit ain't there anymore, then I can tell you that you'll make darn
sure you have enough lift in future!

Ian

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Metcalfe Kevin J COCA [mailto:kmetcalfe@ns*.na*.mi*]
> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 3:58 PM
> To: 'techdiver@aquanaut.com'
> Subject: Halcyon wing recommendation
>
>
> I'm a recreational diver in Northern California.  I dive in a 7mm wet suit
> and use a PST 95 tank.  I recently acquired a SS back plate and
> am close to
> purchasing a Halcyon wing and a single tank adapter.  Will the 27 lb wing
> provide sufficient lift for my diving and equipment?  I demoed a Halcyon
> system in September with a 27 lb wing and used 14 lbs of lead if
> that helps
> any.
>
> To compound the previous question, the STA that I'm going to buy is the
> steel one that Scott Koplin makes.  I am considering getting the
> one that he
> melts the lead into and weighs about 6 lbs.  That leaves me wearing only 8
> lbs of ditchable weight.
>
> So I guess the first question is, Is 27 lbs enough lift for me
> with a normal
> STA?  Second, If yes to question one, then would the 6 lb STA push me over
> the edge.
>
> And yes, I know that it would be better to dive dry, but one thing at a
> time.
>
> Thank you,
>
>
> Kevin Metcalfe
> kmetcalfe@ns*.na*.mi*
> 925-246-5938
> DSN 350-5938
>
>
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