Smallest Halcyon DSMB with an OPV - Page 2

Howard Payne · July 4th, 2006, 02:25 PM

I have the same one as Mal - it has the oral / drysuit inflate and a dump / OPRV just above the inflator valve. In calm conditions - I use it all the time. I very often find that you can't put enough tension on the line to make the bigger (4.5' + 6') blobs stand erect in the water without literally hanging off the line. The 3'er rolls away to almost nothing in a drysuit pocket, just needs a couple of puffs at depth and its full on the surface with only minimal tension from below to keep it "erect" *matron*

*JohnKendall* · July 4th, 2006, 03:30 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by wilbo)

LOL..

different people, different takes on the 3.3 and its features.. exactly the problem I've had finding out information about it in the first place..

I'll get me hands on both versions and make a choice from there..

thanks all for your time

The Drysuit inflate bag has an OPV, and doesn't bend like a banana.

The oral inflate has no OPV and can be bent like a banana.

HTH
J

**neilh** · July 4th, 2006, 04:36 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by wilbo)

exactly the problem I've had finding out information about it in the first place..

I'll get me hands on both versions and make a choice from there..

Calling Rich

Rich had the new model with the oral inflate at the Seahouses gig. Looks like a nice SMB, but must confess to not quizing him too much about OPV and the like.

Give him a shout, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give you the details or meet up to let you examine some first hand!

TobyFish · July 4th, 2006, 08:30 PM

Why does it have to be Halcyon?... Is it because they are "reassuringly expensive"?

I just took delivery of Tobin's 1m DSMB and I think it's a design masterpiece. Less than 1 breath to inflate, simplest and lowest profile OPV you'll ever find, Solas tape on the top (which Halcyon only put on their big buoys).

It's the one puff inflation that's the killer feature... you're neutral... you breathe into the bag you're still neutral... you release the bag and breathe in ... you're still neutral.

check it out - http://www.deepseasupply.com/page28.html

GoDiva · July 5th, 2006, 11:12 AM

Doesn't seem all that much cheaper than a Halcyon one.
Liked the fact that it is a 1 meter SMB, which stick up 34" above the water with 1 lbs attached to it

I am not experienced enough to have a personal opinion on what equipment (or make) is good and what isn't.

TobyFish · July 5th, 2006, 02:45 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GoDiva)

Doesn't seem all that much cheaper than a Halcyon one.
Liked the fact that it is a 1 meter SMB, which stick up 34" above the water with 1 lbs attached to it

I am not experienced enough to have a personal opinion on what equipment (or make) is good and what isn't.

halcyon 3ft smb is £50 on line which is apparently 92USD, DSS SMB is $75, so halcyon is 22% more. Not much on an SMB I guess, but I resent the premium as I prefer the design of the cheaper one. Postage may be an issue for UK divers, but not if you're ordering other stuff, too. I know Knackers stocks some bits and bobs from DSS so he may carry them one day (they've only been out a week).

The only possible issue I can see with the DSS buoy is the tapering... there are plenty of reasons why this is good but I wonder what it dies to overall visibility of the buoy at distance (although it IS more likely to be vertical than a simple sausage). Simple physics suggests that a thin tube is resolvable at a lesser maximum distance than a fat one. I will just have to test how relevant this really is.

*graham_hk* · July 5th, 2006, 03:45 PM

22% and from that the UK suppliers will have to take out 17.5% VAT and get it to the UK. US$75 + VAT US88.13 good luck with the <US5 postage on that for your "cheaper bag". Futhermore, it may say 75 but with the stupid american system of not quoting prices including all state, sales, federal and any other random tax I doubt you could really pick it up for that (does anybody else find that annoying?

).

If you prefer the design why not say that and leave it at that instead of climbing on your higher pricing horse?!

Besides which if you are complaining about US20 on diving equipment I suspect you haven't really done any serious diving where you would be spending thousands and gas, equipment and transport.

true · July 5th, 2006, 04:05 PM

I suppose that it does cost a bit more to build the infrastructure that allows for a local, in-country shop to be able to stock the product. If you look at the price of the small Halcyon SMB from any US dealer, it costs $79. Personally, the only reason I buy from an out-of-country vendor is if there's no way to buy the item locally, and even then I'm going into the transaction expecting shipping, customs, and taxes to chew up any "savings" I might have expected. Halcyon has worked hard to build up regional distributors so that our customers can have the added value of local support pretty much anywhere in the world. I'd hope that most would see the value of having a dedicated and local dealer to support you after the purchase.

Divingniknaks · July 5th, 2006, 04:40 PM

We are the "local" dealer for DSS in the UK (and a chunk of Europe).

My stock of these SMB's will be here shortly (Thx Tobin).

My current reckoning on the UK price will be £40 (dont hold me to that yet

)

So I see a saving available to the UK and Europe diving world.

Will be on the website as soon as stock is notified cleared by customs here.

HTH

TobinGeorge · July 5th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by graham_hk)

with the stupid american system of not quoting prices including all state, sales, federal and any other random tax I doubt you could really pick it up for that (does anybody else find that annoying?

).

Greetings fom the Stupid former colonies, where we are just recovering from celebrating our freedom from thoughtful, fair, completely equitable tax known as the "Stamp Act"

How exactly would you like the "Stupid Amercians" to calulate the total taxes to be paid?

Sales within the US may or may not subject to some combination city, county, state sales tax, depending on where you live, if you are an exempt government agency etc.

Export sales can be subject to a wide array of other taxes. Would you expect the seller, or the buyer to be better informed as to the local tax regulations?

Tobin

July 4th, 2006, 02:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) The Voices And The Becks Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,033	I have the same one as Mal - it has the oral / drysuit inflate and a dump / OPRV just above the inflator valve. In calm conditions - I use it all the time. I very often find that you can't put enough tension on the line to make the bigger (4.5' + 6') blobs stand erect in the water without literally hanging off the line. The 3'er rolls away to almost nothing in a drysuit pocket, just needs a couple of puffs at depth and its full on the surface with only minimal tension from below to keep it "erect" matron __________________ Eastbourne Sub-Aqua Club 0513 Nitrox & Trimix, Club Boat, Plenty of Good Value Diving, Regular Club Trips & Holidays, Rec & Tech Training, GUE / Hogarthian Friendly Come Try Us! Last edited by Howard Payne; July 4th, 2006 at 02:28 PM..

July 4th, 2006, 03:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,619	Quote: (Originally Posted by wilbo) LOL.. different people, different takes on the 3.3 and its features.. exactly the problem I've had finding out information about it in the first place.. I'll get me hands on both versions and make a choice from there.. thanks all for your time The Drysuit inflate bag has an OPV, and doesn't bend like a banana. The oral inflate has no OPV and can be bent like a banana. HTH J __________________ John Kendall http://www.amphibian-productions.com/diving GUE Instruction, Santi, Zeuxo and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Shop

July 5th, 2006, 11:12 AM	#15 (permalink)
GoDiva(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 702	Doesn't seem all that much cheaper than a Halcyon one. Liked the fact that it is a 1 meter SMB, which stick up 34" above the water with 1 lbs attached to it I am not experienced enough to have a personal opinion on what equipment (or make) is good and what isn't. __________________ "Miss Dodgy-Pockets" or "Miss Lime-Green, Clear-Skirt Mask"

July 5th, 2006, 04:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,040	We are the "local" dealer for DSS in the UK (and a chunk of Europe). My stock of these SMB's will be here shortly (Thx Tobin). My current reckoning on the UK price will be £40 (dont hold me to that yet ) So I see a saving available to the UK and Europe diving world. Will be on the website as soon as stock is notified cleared by customs here. HTH __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

July 4th, 2006, 04:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
neilh (Online) Wreck Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 2,671	Quote: (Originally Posted by wilbo) exactly the problem I've had finding out information about it in the first place.. I'll get me hands on both versions and make a choice from there.. Calling Rich Rich had the new model with the oral inflate at the Seahouses gig. Looks like a nice SMB, but must confess to not quizing him too much about OPV and the like. Give him a shout, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give you the details or meet up to let you examine some first hand!

July 4th, 2006, 08:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
TobyFish (Online) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,420	Why does it have to be Halcyon?... Is it because they are "reassuringly expensive"? I just took delivery of Tobin's 1m DSMB and I think it's a design masterpiece. Less than 1 breath to inflate, simplest and lowest profile OPV you'll ever find, Solas tape on the top (which Halcyon only put on their big buoys). It's the one puff inflation that's the killer feature... you're neutral... you breathe into the bag you're still neutral... you release the bag and breathe in ... you're still neutral. check it out - http://www.deepseasupply.com/page28.html

July 5th, 2006, 02:45 PM	#16 (permalink)
TobyFish (Online) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,420	Quote: (Originally Posted by GoDiva) Doesn't seem all that much cheaper than a Halcyon one. Liked the fact that it is a 1 meter SMB, which stick up 34" above the water with 1 lbs attached to it I am not experienced enough to have a personal opinion on what equipment (or make) is good and what isn't. halcyon 3ft smb is £50 on line which is apparently 92USD, DSS SMB is $75, so halcyon is 22% more. Not much on an SMB I guess, but I resent the premium as I prefer the design of the cheaper one. Postage may be an issue for UK divers, but not if you're ordering other stuff, too. I know Knackers stocks some bits and bobs from DSS so he may carry them one day (they've only been out a week). The only possible issue I can see with the DSS buoy is the tapering... there are plenty of reasons why this is good but I wonder what it dies to overall visibility of the buoy at distance (although it IS more likely to be vertical than a simple sausage). Simple physics suggests that a thin tube is resolvable at a lesser maximum distance than a fat one. I will just have to test how relevant this really is.

July 5th, 2006, 03:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
graham_hk(Offline) GUE instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Asia Posts: 1,129	22% and from that the UK suppliers will have to take out 17.5% VAT and get it to the UK. US$75 + VAT US88.13 good luck with the <US5 postage on that for your "cheaper bag". Futhermore, it may say 75 but with the stupid american system of not quoting prices including all state, sales, federal and any other random tax I doubt you could really pick it up for that (does anybody else find that annoying? ). If you prefer the design why not say that and leave it at that instead of climbing on your higher pricing horse?! Besides which if you are complaining about US20 on diving equipment I suspect you haven't really done any serious diving where you would be spending thousands and gas, equipment and transport.

July 5th, 2006, 04:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
true(Offline) GUE Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 143	I suppose that it does cost a bit more to build the infrastructure that allows for a local, in-country shop to be able to stock the product. If you look at the price of the small Halcyon SMB from any US dealer, it costs $79. Personally, the only reason I buy from an out-of-country vendor is if there's no way to buy the item locally, and even then I'm going into the transaction expecting shipping, customs, and taxes to chew up any "savings" I might have expected. Halcyon has worked hard to build up regional distributors so that our customers can have the added value of local support pretty much anywhere in the world. I'd hope that most would see the value of having a dedicated and local dealer to support you after the purchase.

July 5th, 2006, 04:41 PM	#20 (permalink)
TobinGeorge (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 697	Quote: (Originally Posted by graham_hk) with the stupid american system of not quoting prices including all state, sales, federal and any other random tax I doubt you could really pick it up for that (does anybody else find that annoying? ). Greetings fom the Stupid former colonies, where we are just recovering from celebrating our freedom from thoughtful, fair, completely equitable tax known as the "Stamp Act" How exactly would you like the "Stupid Amercians" to calulate the total taxes to be paid? Sales within the US may or may not subject to some combination city, county, state sales tax, depending on where you live, if you are an exempt government agency etc. Export sales can be subject to a wide array of other taxes. Would you expect the seller, or the buyer to be better informed as to the local tax regulations? Tobin