Ed wrote:

> I'm sure this has been asked before, but who do you backplate & wings
divers recommend for equipment?
> Halcyon?  OMS?  Joe's Garage? I fondly remember my first set-up (1972), it
had an orange plastic backplate
> (Heathways?), bolted to a steel 72 with stainless steel(?) bands.  No BC
or wings, and oh! so easy to put on.
> Thanks Lee for the memory flashback.

You're welcome.  I was happy to share the pleasure at thinking back on my
own history.  As far as I know, the bands were stainless and came in two
configurations, perhaps at different times.  One configuration clamped with
a nut and bolt.  Back then, we generally did only one dive per day and even
when we did more, it was by refilling the same tank.  The second
configuration, which may or may not have come out at the same time.  It had
a cam operated clamp that, for those with sufficient strength, could be
released and reclamped without tools.

Everyone seems to like the company that manufacturers their equipment over
the company that manufacturs someone else's equipment.  Since I use Halcyon,
that's my preference.  Lately, however, I've found myself disliking a
feature of my Halcyon wings.  Because I almost always dive with no air in my
wings, the inflator hose and low pressure hose that powers it make the top
of the wing bend forward toward my head.  This not only tends to restrict
head movement, it can also trap my long hose, resulting in a bit of hose
pull.  It's not really a safety issue, the long hose is still easily
deployed, but it is a comfort issue.  Just a little air in the wing and the
problem is reduced, but  I consider added weight just so I can put a little
air in my wings to be an unacceptable trade off.

Lee