Halcyon offers the Explorer wing for double tank diving . The Explorer wings are available in two lift capacities to satisfy various buoyancy requirements, and are able to accommodate a wide range of tank sizes, exposure protection, and equipment requirements. Halcyon explorer wings are available in 40 lbs. (18kg), and 55 lbs. (25kg) lift capacities. We also offer a special version of the Explorer wing modified for use with closed circuit rebreathers. The Explorer CCR-35 provides 35 lbs. (16kg) of lift in a unique delta shape.

Explorer wings have been slightly modified over the years for even greater streamlining and efficiency. The Explorer wing is slightly narrower and longer, with a reduced buoyancy tube behind the neck to minimize heads-up trim. In addition, the inflator elbow is located in the back center of the wing to eliminate hitting the tank neck during full inflation.

Halcyon's Explorer wing is still made from the most rugged materials available for a buoyancy compensator. The 400 denier nylon bladder has a tighter weave and is therefore more puncture resistant than a broad weave. The Explorer's 1680 ballistic nylon outer shell is designed for maximum abrasion resistance. The two materials used together offer the best protection from damage in any wing design.

• Heavy-duty zipper has a three-inch wide strip of Cordura to prevent zipper chaff on the inner bladder
• Two-inch webbing-reinforced backbone construction
• "Trap-door" drainage system allows water to drain rapidly from the outer cover to minimize excess weight and diver effort reboarding the dive boat
• Inflator elbow strain relief constructed from two-inch nylon webbing minimizes wear on this connection
• Narrower, elongated construction improves streamlining and trim
• Relocated corrugated hose eliminates stress from impact with tanks
• All Explorer wings are CE-certified for sale in the European Community

The Explorer wings can be mated with either the Halcyon hard-coated aluminum or six pound stainless steel backplate, providing divers with a variety of weighting solutions. The 40 lbs. Explorer wings provide a minimalist approach to buoyancy where double aluminum 80s and a wetsuit are the rig of choice. The widely popular 55 lbs. Explorer wings are ideally suited for use with situations requiring additional lift such as with heavy double steel tanks.

Explorer CCR-35

When leading deep wreck explorer Mike Barnette wanted a custom designed Rebreather wing capable of meeting his rigorous needs, he turned to the only manufacturer with the requisite experience: Halcyon Manufacturing. Halcyon’s long history of building leading-edge technical equipment, together with their in-house design team, proved a perfect match for the development of this unique product. This team effort resulted in a custom fabricated CCR rebreather wing. The CCR-35 is built using the same time-tested material found in all Halcyon wings: the 1680 ballistic nylon outer cover is coupled with a urethane coated, puncture resistant 400-denier Cordora bladder. This RF welded inner bladder is finished with Halcyon’s high quality OEM plastic inflator.

The CCR-35 has 35 pounds of lift tailored into a unique horseshoe style wing. Utilizing industry standard 11-inch, on-center grommeted holes, the wing will mount to most CCR’s. Rebreather divers will appreciate the carefully engineered lift dynamics that were built into the design. The Explorer CCR-35 limits lift behind the divers head, instead placing lift where it is needed most– under the cylinder valves and near the bottom of the rebreather system. This design facilitates ideal horizontal trim while enhancing a diver’s balance in-water balance. The offset inflator elbow is located between the cylinder and rebreather canister, allowing easy access to the lid for turning the unit on and off, as well keeping the inflator clear of the breathing loop and secure on the harness. The slotted wing allows hoses to be routed through the body of the wing and over the backplate, keeping the hoses streamlined and close to the body. The opv is positioned at the extreme lower perimeter of the wing, allowing easy dumping of gas and avoiding conflict with open-circuit bailout bottles.

Mike's team has been testing and refining the Explorer CCR-35 with the Megalodon Rebreather for the last several months. We also have extensive in-water feedback from divers using both the KISS Classic and Sport units. Preliminary testing has shown that the Explorer CCR-35 also performs with most other closed-circuit rebreathers that utilize inverted cylinders.

All Halcyon Eclipse, Explorer, and Evolve MC Systems, as well as individual wings, come outfitted with a non-serviceable OEM power inflator.