AN ABSOLUTE 'don't' when it comes to handling a twin-set is: don't lift it by the manifold - it puts stress on the threads and O-rings insid
£69
e. After prolonged abuse, these stresses can cause the manifold to buckle or distort, with potentially disastrous consequences.
A solution is to fit a handle or bar to protect the manifold, which is the purpose of the Halo from Northern Diver. It attaches to the neck of each cylinder, and provides a huge handle by which to carry the twin-set. It also protects the demand-valve first stages from damage caused by, say, bumping into the roof of a cave or hitting the structure of a wreck on a dive.
Fitting the Halo is fairly straightforward although, as it fits a variety of cylinder sizes and setups, some guesswork is required until you get the precise adjustment right for your chosen twin-set. You also need an industrial-sized hexagonal key to really tighten the bolts and prevent your Halo from slipping.
When in situ, the Halo makes handling the twin-set a dream. The natural instinct is to grab hold of it rather than the manifold, which is incredibly useful when diving with people who are not twin-set-aware. While I didn't find myself in the depths of a cave or a wreck during the test period, the Halo gave me confidence when diving some of the offshore sites in southwest England that are known for having a high swell over the winter - should I be flung against a rock, my valves would be fully protected.
My only gripe is that the Halo is made from a mixture of marine-grade stainless steel with alloy cylinder clamps. My concern is that the bolts will corrode tightly into the threads of the clamps, so regular maintenance is required.
If you have a twin-set, I'd recommend getting a valve and manifold protector fitted - the Halo certainly does the job as well as other devices on the markes, and at a similar price.
DIVE says…
Good quality device that's well worth having
Value 8
Performance 8
