Halcyon Dive System

Halcyon builds backplate-and-wing systems for divers who want a rig configured to them rather than bought off the peg. Oyster stocks the Eclipse, Eclipse Pro, Evolve, Evolve Pro and Infinity systems, alongside the ACB Weight System and the Oral Inflate DAM. Each comes as a matched set of plate, harness, wing and inflator, some assembled and some not, and we will talk the configuration through with you before you order.

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Read the full buying guide

What a Halcyon system actually is

A Halcyon system is not a jacket BCD. You get a rigid backplate, an adjustable harness, a separate wing that holds the air behind you, and a single tank adapter that pulls the cylinder in towards your back. Each part is independent of the others, so a worn harness or a damaged wing is dealt with on its own rather than replacing the whole unit.

That layout came out of technical diving, but nothing here is tech-only. The Eclipse System is built around single-cylinder recreational diving, and the Infinity System pairs a backmounted harness with the adjustability divers expect from a jacket. If you are moving off a jacket BCD for the first time, this is a sensible place to look.

Choosing between Eclipse, Evolve and Infinity

Eclipse and Eclipse Pro

The Eclipse System is the straightforward single-tank setup. The wing is CE certified and offered in 20, 30 or 40 lb lift, the backplate comes in carbon fibre, aluminium or stainless steel, the harness is infinitely adjustable, and the single tank adapter is stainless steel. It arrives requiring assembly. The MC Storage Pak and the ACB integrated weight pockets are part of the same system.

The Eclipse Pro System keeps that wing profile and puts it on a carbon fibre Cinch backplate, with a carbon fibre single tank adapter, ACB10 integrated weight pockets, a quick-adjust crotch strap and deluxe shoulder harness pads. It ships assembled for single tank diving. Of the two, this is the one to look at if you fly with your kit.

Evolve and Evolve Pro

The Evolve System uses a circular bladder that wraps the cylinder rather than sitting flat behind it. In the water that means trim is easier to fine-tune whatever position you are in, and the cylinder-hugging shape gives the water less to push against as you swim. The Cinch quick-adjust system is optional, and the Evolve Pro System builds on the same wing design. Both include the Halcyon Storage Pack and both can be ordered in custom colours.

Infinity

The Infinity System is the one to consider if you are crossing over from a jacket BCD. It runs the Eclipse wing, adds the patented Cinch quick-adjust harness, integrated weight pockets and deluxe harness pads, and comes with a Halcyon BC system bag. The backplate is aluminium or stainless steel, and the single tank adapter can be specified with or without integrated weight pockets.

Backplate material and fit

Material is a weighting decision as much as a comfort one. Stainless steel is the heavy option and takes lead off your belt. Aluminium is lighter, which counts when your rig is going into a hold bag. Carbon fibre is the lightest of the three, which is why the Eclipse Pro is the travel choice in this range.

Fit matters as much as material, and it is not listed the same way across every system here. The Eclipse System is the one that states its options, in standard or small. A plate that is too long will sit down on your hips; one that is too short crowds the space between the shoulder harness and the waist belt. Rather than guess from a size chart, tell us your torso length and the diving you are doing and we will confirm exactly what a given system can be ordered in before you commit.

Weighting and the rest of the rig

The ACB Weight System mounts to the harness waistband on a tri-glide connection and takes soft or hard weights in a removable inner pouch with a carry handle. The pockets are vertical to keep the profile narrow, the side release buckle reduces the chance of losing weight by accident while still letting you dump it in a hurry, and there is room to mount a primary light behind the pouch.

The Oral Inflate DAM finishes the rig off. It inflates at depth by mouth or from a low-pressure hose through the Halcyon No-Lock connector, carries an integrated over pressure-relief valve so it can be deployed safely from depth, and packs down small enough for a thigh pocket or a backplate MC Storage Pak. It comes in orange, yellow and pink, so you can keep a second colour back to signal a problem rather than a routine ascent.

Frequently asked questions

Which backplate-and-wing brands does Oyster Diving stock in this collection?

This page is Halcyon only. It covers the Eclipse, Eclipse Pro, Evolve, Evolve Pro and Infinity systems, together with the ACB Weight System and the Oral Inflate DAM. Halcyon is the only manufacturer represented here. If you want to look across other makes, our wings and BCD collections are the place to start.

What is the difference between the Halcyon Eclipse and the Halcyon Evolve?

It comes down to the wing. The Eclipse has a long, narrow profile that sits behind the cylinder and is built around single-cylinder recreational diving. The Evolve uses a circular bladder that wraps the cylinder instead, which makes trim easier to fine-tune whatever position you are in and cuts drag as you swim. Both are built on the same infinitely adjustable Halcyon harness, so the choice is about how you want the air to sit, not about how the rig fits.

Do Halcyon systems arrive assembled?

It depends which one you order. The Eclipse Pro System is shipped assembled for single tank diving. The Eclipse System requires assembly, which suits divers who would rather set the harness to themselves from the start. The Infinity System comes with its own BC system bag for transport and storage. If you would prefer your rig handed over ready to dive, ask us before you order.

Which wing lift capacity should I choose?

Lift needs to cover the buoyancy swing of your exposure suit and cylinder rather than the dry weight of your whole kit. The Eclipse wing, used on both the Eclipse and the Infinity, is CE certified and offered in 20, 30 and 40 lb lift. The Evolve and Evolve Pro run heavier, for divers in thicker suits or on larger cylinders. Single-cylinder wetsuit diving sits at the lower end of the range; drysuit and steel-cylinder diving sits higher. Tell us your suit and cylinder and we will point you at the right one.

Can I add integrated weight pockets to a Halcyon harness?

Yes. The Halcyon ACB Weight System mounts directly to the harness waistband with a tri-glide connection and takes soft or hard weights in a removable inner pouch with a carry handle. The Eclipse Pro System and the Infinity System already include integrated weight pockets. The pouches are mounted vertically to keep your profile narrow, release from the side so weight comes off when you want it to, and leave room to mount a primary light behind the pouch.

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