Thanks for posting. Looking into changing from a jacket BC so I can go to fundies (GUE)class. Will not purchase until I complete the course, but your video was helpful.
If you plan to make GUE your primary organization, eventually all your gear will be Halcyon. I have since moved on to Halcyon, and starting fundies myself 😊.
I have the same setup minus the STA. I have not experienced the "wobble". I don't dive steel tanks, but I do dive "compact 80's" from time to time. I find the rig to be more than satisfactory. The wing is just enough lift for a balanced setup. Not much room for overweighting. Fine for a thorough, thinking diver, could be trouble for others. By that I mean that there is plenty of lift to be slightly over weighted on the dive, but over weighting becomes VERY apparent at the surface. My only real gripe is that the wing puts pressure on the longhose fitting when fully inflated. If diving a DIN adapter, it's way worse.
I'm curious how your wing is putting any pressure on the long hose, but I don't know how you have your 1st stage set up. The "DIR" way has the ling hose coming from the 5th port at a 45° away from the wing and tank.
I'm just piecing gear together myself. I started with Deep6 regs and fins (which got me to your videos), though I have yet to use them. I'm a vacation diver, not headed toward tech diving, like yourself. My next goal is to purchase either a lightweight jacket BC or BPW setup. The DGX backplate and wing setup is also on my list. How do you find the weight and compactness? Do you think it would be suitable for travel? (Yes, you did say that the wing is the travel version of the Dive Rite wing in the video, but I'm interested in your opinion.) Why did you opt for the Single Tank Adapter? I also notice that with the STA, there are wingnut fasteners on the body-side of the backplate. Does that poke into your back? What do you plan to do for pockets, to carry things with? Thanks and I look forward to more videos.
These are some great questions and I hope to answer them well enough to help you make a decision. 1. I see no reason it couldn't be used for travel. as far as flying with it and meeting airline luggage requirements it would depend on what else you are packing. my SS plate and STA is roughly 12lbs. I do believe it is pretty compact, but no where near as compact as I have seen the travel specific BP/w's get. 2. I opted for the STA for two reasons. first being I found the tank rocked slightly on the carriage/sex bolts included with the assembly. I'm sure there may have been a way to mitigate that, but point two being I dive dry and the extra weight of the STA pushed me that direction. Other divers using the same DGX BP/w have also confirmed they had the rocking, and some said they did not. It honestly may be up to the diver how solid they prefer their gear to be. 3. The wing nuts are recessed into the plate so there is no way for them to make contact with your spine. 4. so far any items I have had to carry would go into the pockets on my drysuit. I dive with a slate on my left wrist, computer (perdix) on my right wrist, wetnotes in my right cargo pocket, spool and DSMB on my butt D-ring, back up lights stay on the shoulder straps tucked out of the way. as soon as my spare mask and roll up snorkel arrive they will go in my left cargo pocket. Hopefully this answered everything! Thanks for watching!
I was considering getting the integrated second stage regulator for the inflator hose rather than a full sized second stage. If I have to tie the inflator hose down to keep it from being loose, I'm not sure how that's going to work with an integrated regulator.
I would highly suggest not getting an air2. IF you ever need to use it, you will find they are not a very great option. You’re limited on how far you can move your head, they get banged up, require a different LP hose so if you need a spare they’re not easily found in person. Long hose and necklace is the way to go.
That’s a very good question. Simply put, the middle of the plate is inset far enough that the bolts (typically) will not touch your spine, however Untrimmed bolts (usually on doubles) and wingnuts with long wings may sometimes brush your back. Hope this helps!
Sorry for the late reply. No, the plate doesnt harm the dump any. When in the water the wing wraps up around the tank, away from the plate. Hope this helps!
Appreciate the video - think I will purchase from DGX. Thanks again
I’m looking forward to purchasing this next month. Thanks for your video
Thanks for the post! Considering one of these and the overview was helpful!
Glad you found this helpful!
Thanks for posting. Looking into changing from a jacket BC so I can go to fundies (GUE)class. Will not purchase until I complete the course, but your video was helpful.
If you plan to make GUE your primary organization, eventually all your gear will be Halcyon.
I have since moved on to Halcyon, and starting fundies myself 😊.
I have the same setup minus the STA. I have not experienced the "wobble". I don't dive steel tanks, but I do dive "compact 80's" from time to time. I find the rig to be more than satisfactory. The wing is just enough lift for a balanced setup. Not much room for overweighting. Fine for a thorough, thinking diver, could be trouble for others. By that I mean that there is plenty of lift to be slightly over weighted on the dive, but over weighting becomes VERY apparent at the surface. My only real gripe is that the wing puts pressure on the longhose fitting when fully inflated. If diving a DIN adapter, it's way worse.
I'm curious how your wing is putting any pressure on the long hose, but I don't know how you have your 1st stage set up.
The "DIR" way has the ling hose coming from the 5th port at a 45° away from the wing and tank.
I'm just piecing gear together myself. I started with Deep6 regs and fins (which got me to your videos), though I have yet to use them. I'm a vacation diver, not headed toward tech diving, like yourself. My next goal is to purchase either a lightweight jacket BC or BPW setup. The DGX backplate and wing setup is also on my list. How do you find the weight and compactness? Do you think it would be suitable for travel? (Yes, you did say that the wing is the travel version of the Dive Rite wing in the video, but I'm interested in your opinion.) Why did you opt for the Single Tank Adapter? I also notice that with the STA, there are wingnut fasteners on the body-side of the backplate. Does that poke into your back? What do you plan to do for pockets, to carry things with? Thanks and I look forward to more videos.
These are some great questions and I hope to answer them well enough to help you make a decision.
1. I see no reason it couldn't be used for travel. as far as flying with it and meeting airline luggage requirements it would depend on what else you are packing. my SS plate and STA is roughly 12lbs. I do believe it is pretty compact, but no where near as compact as I have seen the travel specific BP/w's get.
2. I opted for the STA for two reasons. first being I found the tank rocked slightly on the carriage/sex bolts included with the assembly. I'm sure there may have been a way to mitigate that, but point two being I dive dry and the extra weight of the STA pushed me that direction. Other divers using the same DGX BP/w have also confirmed they had the rocking, and some said they did not. It honestly may be up to the diver how solid they prefer their gear to be.
3. The wing nuts are recessed into the plate so there is no way for them to make contact with your spine.
4. so far any items I have had to carry would go into the pockets on my drysuit. I dive with a slate on my left wrist, computer (perdix) on my right wrist, wetnotes in my right cargo pocket, spool and DSMB on my butt D-ring, back up lights stay on the shoulder straps tucked out of the way. as soon as my spare mask and roll up snorkel arrive they will go in my left cargo pocket.
Hopefully this answered everything! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for taking the time to give a very detailed answer! Much appreciated!
I was considering getting the integrated second stage regulator for the inflator hose rather than a full sized second stage. If I have to tie the inflator hose down to keep it from being loose, I'm not sure how that's going to work with an integrated regulator.
I would highly suggest not getting an air2. IF you ever need to use it, you will find they are not a very great option. You’re limited on how far you can move your head, they get banged up, require a different LP hose so if you need a spare they’re not easily found in person.
Long hose and necklace is the way to go.
I notice that the single tank adapter bolts are sticking out from the front, is that not poking at ur back or uncomfortable at all?
That’s a very good question. Simply put, the middle of the plate is inset far enough that the bolts (typically) will not touch your spine, however Untrimmed bolts (usually on doubles) and wingnuts with long wings may sometimes brush your back. Hope this helps!
Is this the $400 hogarthian setup or the $300 dgx set up? Also did it come with everything but the sta?
This is the $300 version.
It does not come with the knife and sheath, lights, or STA. everything else is included.
Ok thanks for the info.
thanks bud
You bet
Do you still recommend the DGX backplate and wing? I am considering purchasing
I do! It’s a great, basic backplate! The harness is a tad stiff so you may want shoulder pads if you’re in a drysuit.
The backplate appears to sit on the dump valve. Does this cause any issues of wear on either the dump valve itself or on the pull cord?
Sorry for the late reply.
No, the plate doesnt harm the dump any. When in the water the wing wraps up around the tank, away from the plate.
Hope this helps!