Technical Diving

Technical diving asks more of your kit than recreational diving does. This range covers sidemount and backplate-and-wing systems from XDEEP, Halcyon and Apeks, alongside the regulators, reels, spools, DSMBs and trim pockets that make a redundant configuration work. We stock these three brands in depth, right down to the bolt snaps, harness webbing and inflator hoses you need to finish a rig properly.

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Sidemount, backmount and the choice between them

Most technical divers settle into one of two configurations, and this collection carries both properly rather than treating one as an afterthought. Which you choose shapes almost every other purchase you make, so it is worth deciding first.

Sidemount systems

The XDEEP Stealth 2.0 family is the backbone of the sidemount range here. The Classic, REC and TEC systems share the same harness architecture but are set up for different jobs, so you can move between them without relearning the platform. The Ghost Wing System is the other XDEEP sidemount option in the collection. Sidemount trim pockets, cargo pouches and bolt snaps sit alongside them, because a sidemount rig is only as good as the way it is trimmed.

Backplate and wing

Halcyon and Apeks cover the backmount side. The Halcyon Eclipse, Eclipse Pro, Evolve, Evolve Pro and Infinity systems are all listed, so you can compare complete packages side by side instead of assembling one blind. XDEEP brings the NX Zen, Zen Ultralight, Zeos 28 and Zeos 38 wing systems. From Apeks, the WTX Harness and the WTX D30 Complete Wing let you build up piece by piece, and the Exotec and Exotec-S BCDs are here for divers who want a wing-style shape in a single unit. The Halcyon ACB Weight System handles ditchable weight on a backplate rig.

Regulators built for redundancy

A technical configuration needs more than one first stage, and it needs them to behave the same way when you are cold and task-loaded. The Apeks range in this collection runs from the XTX50 and XL4+ through the XL4 Ocea and TEK3 to the MTX-RC, which is built for cold water, and on to the newer EVX200 and EVX Tungsten. Keeping your primary and your stages on one family means one set of spares and one set of habits.

Stage and deco regulators

For side-slung cylinders, the Apeks MTX-R Sidemount Regulator and the XTX50 Sidemount Set are configured for cylinders worn at your side rather than on your back. The Single Cylinder MTX-RC Set covers a primary. The XDEEP LS100 and LS200 second stages are stocked on their own for divers building or rebuilding a set. The Apeks TEK Gauge covers analogue pressure monitoring, and the Comfobite mouthpiece is here as a spare.

Reels, spools and DSMBs

Deco stops and overhead environments are where the small kit earns its place. Apeks covers this end with the LifeLine Spool, the Lifeline Halo Spool, the Lifeline Guide Reel and the Lifeline Ascend Reel, plus the Apeks Surface Marker Buoy. The XDEEP DSMBs come in closed and open versions, including a narrow version of the closed DSMB. The Halcyon Oral Inflate DAM is the orally inflated option. Buy two spools rather than one: the second lives in a pocket and never gets used until the day it does.

The small parts that finish a rig

A technical rig is mostly detail. XDEEP NX Series bolt snaps come single and double-ended, with standard bolt snaps alongside them. There is harness webbing sold by the length, backmount and sidemount trim pockets, weight pockets with replaceable internals in more than one size, expandable and standard cargo pouches, and inflator and inflation hoses. These are the parts that go missing or wear out between trips, and having them in one place saves a scramble the night before you travel.

Fins, exposure protection and torches

Technical fins have to hold a frog kick with a loaded rig behind them. The Apeks RK3, RK3 HD and RK4 are all here, along with the XDEEP EX-1. For exposure protection the Apeks ThermiQ line covers 5mm wetsuits for men and women, the 8/7mm semi-dry in both cuts, the ThermiQ Dry drysuit for men, ThermiQ dive boots and a carbon core top. Torches come from the Apeks Luna range in Mini, Adv and Primary versions. Masks include the Apeks VX1 and VX2 and the XDEEP Radical frameless, which also comes in a small fit.

Frequently asked questions

Which technical diving brands does Oyster Diving stock?

Three, and we carry each of them properly rather than stocking one headline item.

Apeks covers regulators, reels and spools, fins, torches, gauges and exposure protection. XDEEP covers sidemount and backmount systems along with the harness webbing, trim and weight pockets, bolt snaps, hoses and DSMBs that go with them. Halcyon covers backplate-and-wing systems and weight systems.

If you already dive one of the three, you can service and extend your rig here without switching platform.

Should I start with sidemount or backplate and wing?

It depends on the diving in front of you rather than on which is better.

Backplate and wing puts your cylinders behind you and keeps the front of your body clear. It is the usual route if you are heading towards doubles and open-water deco diving. Halcyon's Eclipse, Eclipse Pro, Evolve, Evolve Pro and Infinity systems all sit here, as do the XDEEP NX Zen, Zen Ultralight and Zeos wing systems and the Apeks WTX Harness with the WTX D30 wing.

Sidemount carries the cylinders at your sides, which suits restricted entries, low overheads and divers who would rather not lift doubles onto their back. XDEEP's Stealth 2.0 Classic, REC and TEC systems and the Ghost cover that side.

If you are unsure, come and talk to us before you buy. Both are long-term commitments to a way of diving.

Can I build a rig piece by piece, or do I have to buy a complete system?

Both routes work here.

The Halcyon systems and the XDEEP Zeos, NX Zen and Stealth systems are sold as complete packages, which is the simpler option if you are moving into technical diving for the first time.

If you would rather assemble your own, the Apeks WTX Harness and WTX D30 Complete Wing are listed separately, and the component parts are all in this collection: harness webbing by the length, backmount and sidemount trim pockets, weight pockets with replaceable internals, cargo pouches, inflator and inflation hoses, and NX Series and standard bolt snaps in single and double-ended versions.

What do I need to set up a stage or deco cylinder?

A regulator configured for a side-slung cylinder, a way to clip it on, and a way to be found at the surface.

For the regulator, the Apeks MTX-R Sidemount Regulator and the Apeks XTX50 Sidemount Set are both built for cylinders worn at your side. The Apeks Single Cylinder MTX-RC Set covers a primary. XDEEP's LS100 and LS200 second stages are stocked on their own if you are building or rebuilding a set.

For rigging, use the XDEEP NX Series or standard bolt snaps, single or double-ended depending on where they sit. For the ascent, pair a DSMB with a spool or reel: the Apeks LifeLine Spool, Lifeline Halo Spool, Lifeline Guide Reel and Lifeline Ascend Reel are all here, alongside XDEEP's closed and open DSMBs and the Halcyon Oral Inflate DAM.

Do you stock spares and the small parts that wear out?

Yes, and this is the part of the range we deliberately keep deep.

Bolt snaps get lost, webbing frays, weight pocket internals split and hoses perish. You will find XDEEP harness webbing sold by the length, replaceable internals for the weight pockets in more than one size, expandable and standard cargo pouches, backmount and sidemount trim pockets, inflator and inflation hoses, and the Apeks Comfobite mouthpiece.

Oyster Diving is a dive centre as well as a shop, so if you are not certain which part you need, bring the item in or send us a photograph and we will identify it.

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