Halcyon ABC mounting - how?

In article <v4Zcd.762$ta5.318@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.ne t>, "Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.remove.netcom.com> writes:
>"Adam Helberg" wrote
>
>> Unfortunately there is no great way to mount weights on the belt of the BP
>> harness.
>
>I don't know if I'd call it great, but there is a way. Charlie Hammond uses
>the Dive Rite pockets. I use the Halcyon version, the ones they call trim
>pockets. When I use them (only when wearing a wetsuit) I put 2 lbs in each
>one. I'm not sure what they are capable of holding, but I'm sure it's more
>than the 2 lbs I use. ...

My wife has put at least 4 lbs in each or her's on occasion.
5 lb weights -- hard or soft -- fit and should work.
If you need more that 10 lbs total, put additional pockets
on the cam bands that hold your tank -- which will give you
better trim in the bargain.

> ... At the time I bought mine, they were reasonably
>priced. Somebody discovered that fact and double the price just to ensure
>mortals didn't buy them. ...

Damn bastards!

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

"Charlie Hammond" <hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com> wrote in message
news:zZ7dd.1115$EX5.1112@news.cpqcorp.net...
> In article <lIXcd.639$%h1.175@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.ne t>,
> "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahoo.com> writes:
>
>>Unfortunately there is no great way to mount weights on the belt
>>of the BP harness.
>
> Funny, I know of at least three different weight (trim) pockets from two
> different manufactureres that do the job well. See my prior post for details

I've tried two systems: OMS weight pockets and Zeagle trim pockets. Both use velcro
for ditching and both have problems.

For one thing the only attachment is on the waist belt and I have yet to find a
system that absolutely fixes the pockets without movement. Another problem is that I
like to affix a storage pocket on the waist belt and that leaves a space problem on
the waist belt. Of the two the Zeagle pockets are the better as the OMS are way too
bulky.

I suspect other makes of pockets attached to the waist belt suffer from similar
problems.

Adam

I use the Zeagle ZipTouch Weights / Backplate.
They can carry 20lbs(10lbs block slips right in) , bolts to the backplate
and slip onto the harness.
I have tried several other models, but these a holding the weights "upright"
so they leave room for both canister and d-ring.
easy to release and "refill". Best i have tried yet.

just my 25

Happy diving
Tommy
www.scubagear.dk




"HKN" <divegearfjern@dettewebspeed.dk> skrev i en meddelelse
news:4174044d$0$304$edfadb0f@dread12.news.tele.dk. ..
> Hi there,
>
> I've just bought a set of the Halcyon Active Ballast Control (weight
> pouches), but I'm not quite sure how to mount them to the BP.
>
> Maybe it's because my BP don't have extra slides for it?
>
> Does anybody here know how to?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Henrik
>
>

In article <Rvldd.1938$%h1.451@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.n et>,
"Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahoo.com> writes:

>I've tried two systems: OMS weight pockets and Zeagle trim pockets. >
Both use velcro for ditching and both have problems.
>
>For one thing the only attachment is on the waist belt and I have yet
>to find a system that absolutely fixes the pockets without movement.

I don't find this a problem, but a tri-glide or two, properly placed,
should solve this, if necessary.

>Another problem is that I like to affix a storage pocket on the waist
>belt and that leaves a space problem on the waist belt.

Some would argue that the storage pocket is not needed and that it
is the problem. If you must, you could consider placing either the
weight pockets or the storage pocket low on the shoulder strap.

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

Well, I'm happy with my ACBs so far - and would never support the local
Zeagle dealer, who thinks he's selling rubber bands by the inch!

As I wrote, I was just confused about the strap on the pouches, and
wondering if the Halcyon BP had an extra slot for this strap.

Personally I think the DiveRites (which I looked at initially) looks cheap,
while my Halcyons are build to last.

Safe diving

Henrik

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 19:58:39 +0200, "HKN"
<divegearfjern@dettewebspeed.dk> wrote:

>Hi there,
>
>I've just bought a set of the Halcyon Active Ballast Control (weight
>pouches), but I'm not quite sure how to mount them to the BP.
>
>Maybe it's because my BP don't have extra slides for it?
>
>Does anybody here know how to?
>
>Best regards,
>
>Henrik
>

Henrik,

I have to agree with Lee Bell here. Although Halcyon makes some
excellent products, the ACB is not one of them IMHO. There are other
ways to add ballast to your backplate and wing setup that are better
and don't cost nearly as much.

I use a stainless steel backplate for diving wet or dry which gives me
about 6 lbs (~3 Kg) of ballast. For warm-water ocean diving, I only
need a few more lbs of ballast. If I'm using a canister light, that
gives me the additional weight I need. If not, I use a weight pouch
where the canister would have been on the waist belt on the right.
Both of these solutions are easy to ditch in an emergency and provide
enough ditchable weight to have a balanced rig. A simple weight pouch
that slides over the harness waist belt is very inexpensive.

For cold-water diving, I always use a shell drysuit. For additional
ballast, I start by adding one of Scott Koplin's excellent weighted
single tank adapters, which adds another 6 lbs. Any additional weight
needed can be added as JOR suggested with weights added on or around
the tank.

To me, the ACB just adds drag and complexity that you don't want or
need.

-bob

Hi there,

I've just bought a set of the Halcyon Active Ballast Control (weight
pouches), but I'm not quite sure how to mount them to the BP.

Maybe it's because my BP don't have extra slides for it?

Does anybody here know how to?

Best regards,

Henrik

In article <4174044d$0$304$edfadb0f@dread12.news.tele.dk>,
"HKN" <divegearfjern@dettewebspeed.dk> writes:

>I've just bought a set of the Halcyon Active Ballast Control (weight
>pouches), but I'm not quite sure how to mount them to the BP.

I think they mount to the waist belt, not to the back plate.
They should have a slot or loops to thread on the belt.

BUT...

These may be Halcyon's finest example of overly complex engineering.
If the dealer will take them back, I suggest you do so. Purchase
some simple pockets from DiveRite or Halcyon -- often called
"trim weight pockets" or something similar.
Cheaper, smaller, simpler, better. The "K.I.S.S." principle.

I currently dive with 8 lbs. I have two pockets on my waist belt
and two more on my uppper cam band. 2 lbs in each of these, but
I could use up to 5 lb weights for a total of up to 20 lbs --
although I'd not expect to need nearly that much.

This setup gives me both proper bouyancy AND proper trim.
Half the weight is readily ditcable, which is plenty.

If you are diving in situations where more weight is required,
I suggest you use a seperate weight belt.

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

"HKN" wrote

> I've just bought a set of the Halcyon Active Ballast Control (weight
> pouches), but I'm not quite sure how to mount them to the BP.
> Maybe it's because my BP don't have extra slides for it?
> Does anybody here know how to?

The best way to mount them is to mount them in a package and send it back
for a refund. The Halcyon ABC system is possibly the worst product they've
every marketed . . . except perhaps for the soft keel weight.

If you're not willing to take that advice, then yes, I know how to mount the
system. You thread it onto your waist strap, one on each side. The right
one has the strap and buckle on it. The left one goes behind the D ring on
the left side. As I recall, there are a couple of holes in the units for
attaching them to plate. I don't remember whether they are straps that go
through the slots or holes that are attached to the holes in the plate.
Either way, it should be pretty obvious.

Lee

"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.remove.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:J1Wcd.582$ta5.203@newsread3.news.atl.earthlin k.net...
> "HKN" wrote
>
>> I've just bought a set of the Halcyon Active Ballast Control (weight
>> pouches), but I'm not quite sure how to mount them to the BP.
>> Maybe it's because my BP don't have extra slides for it?
>> Does anybody here know how to?
>
> The best way to mount them is to mount them in a package and send it back for a
> refund. The Halcyon ABC system is possibly the worst product they've every
> marketed . . . except perhaps for the soft keel weight.
>
> If you're not willing to take that advice, then yes, I know how to mount the
> system. You thread it onto your waist strap, one on each side. The right one has
> the strap and buckle on it. The left one goes behind the D ring on the left side.
> As I recall, there are a couple of holes in the units for attaching them to plate.
> I don't remember whether they are straps that go through the slots or holes that
> are attached to the holes in the plate. Either way, it should be pretty obvious.
>
> Lee

Unfortunately there is no great way to mount weights on the belt of the BP harness.

Adam