Halcyon ABC mounting - how?

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

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

The back of the pouch mounts to the corner holes in the BP, as it's
threaded on the waist belt. While I'm not a huge fan of the system, it
worked pretty well when I dove wet, but I've since sold them.


Laser

"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. 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. I suspect other manufacturers make something
similar.

Lee

"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.remove.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:v4Zcd.762$ta5.318@newsread3.news.atl.earthlin k.net...
> "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. 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. I suspect other manufacturers
> make something similar.
>
> Lee
>
I tried the Dive Rite pockets first, then the Halcyon trim pockets, which
were better. They will hold a 4 pound block each. 6 pounds is too much.

A stainless steel BP and/or a weighted STA help help too. You really don't
need a lot of ditchable weight for warm water diving.

For cold water diving, I use the DUI weight system.

Rudy

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 20:51:53 GMT, "Lee Bell"
<leebell@ix.remove.netcom.com> wrote:

>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.

Straps with holes in the end... bolt 'em to one of the lower outer
holes.



--- Rich
http://richlockyer.tripod.com/

Thanks,

I was just confused, because the straps seems to be long enough to go
through the slots (where the harness is fixed) and back again, and then be
bolted to the plate. But if you do that, then there is no room for the
harness, so I was wondering if the Halcyon BP had extra slots for the ACBs.

Anyway, I'm lookin' forward to get rid of my belt

-Henrik

Lee Bell <leebell@ix.remove.netcom.com> 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. 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. I suspect other manufacturers make something
>similar.

If one bought the ACB, it was to hold more than 4lbs. For less than 10, I
clipped ankle weights to the valve and 2lb hard weights with dog clips to holes
at the bottom of the plate.

The ACB was a compromise solution for those who need 20lbs of ditchable ballast.
A PITA getting on, esp with the canister, but fine in the water, aside from being
quite the kelp snag.

--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

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

--
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.