Halcyon Weighted Single Tank Adapter Review

Last updated: July 2025

• 6 lb steel insert: Moves ballast behind backplate
• Spine-aligned weight: Improves trim balance
• Less hip weight: Frees up pockets and reduces belt load
• Rigid mount: Keeps tank stable
• Hardware needs mod: Bolts trimmed for comfort

Overall Score: 8.3 / 10 (Strong)

Adds 6 pounds of non-ditchable ballast in line with your spine to reduce the need for weight around your hips and improve trim control.

Pros & Cons

Why I Chose Halcyon’s Weighted STA

I follow the balanced rig principle and typically dive a drysuit or thick wetsuit, so I wanted a way to carry more of my ballast in a fixed, non-ditchable position. The Halcyon weighted STA adds 6 pounds directly behind the wing and backplate, reducing the amount of weight I need to carry around my hips. It didn’t eliminate trim weights entirely, but it let me move a meaningful portion of my ballast up and in line with my spine. That made a noticeable difference in how easily I could hold trim. I’ve used it with both HP100s and AL80s in different exposure suits, and it’s remained stable and consistent.

Verdict

This upgrade made my weighting cleaner and my trim more consistent. It didn’t eliminate the need for all trim weight, but it allowed me to shift a significant portion off my hips and into a fixed, well-aligned position. The major downside was the hardware. Halcyon includes bolts that are much too long and permanently attached, which required cutting them down to avoid discomfort. Once that was handled, it worked perfectly.

Would I buy it again? Yes. The functionality is excellent, but I’d plan on modifying the bolts right away.

Who Halcyon Weighted Single Tank Adapter Is Best For

This item is best suited for:

• Divers aiming to centralize ballast for a balanced rig
• Backplate and wing users seeking fixed, non-ditchable weight
• Divers wanting to reduce reliance on hip-mounted weights

It may not be ideal for:

• Divers unwilling to modify hardware
• Those using integrated-weight BCDs without a need for an STA

Deep Dive into the Score

Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.

Rounded Display Score: 8.3 / 10 — Strong

Deep Dive Score Explanations

• Function & Performance – 9: Centralized ballast behind the spine improves trim and reduces need for hip weight. Performs exactly as intended.
• Ease of Use – 7: Bolts were far too long and permanently mounted. Trimming them was required before it could be comfortably used.
• Versatility – 8: Works with multiple tank sizes and suit combinations. Adapts well to different setups without requiring reconfiguration.
• Durability & Build Quality – 9: Rugged Halcyon construction. Once the hardware is modified, it’s a maintenance-free component.
• Value – 8: Not cheap, but the improved balance and weighting justify the price if you value rig control.
• Brand Trust & Transparency – 8: Halcyon delivers consistent build quality, but their bolt design could use a rethink.

Performance in the Water

• Trim & Buoyancy: The centralized weight improves backplate balance and lets me reduce hip-mounted weight. Buoyancy characteristics remained consistent across tank types and suits.
• Kick Styles / Usage: No impact on kicking or control. It mounts securely and stays out of the way once installed.
• Comfort: The included bolts were too long and pressed into my back. I had to trim them down to make the system usable.
• Control / Function: Solid mount, stable tank alignment, and no compatibility issues with my existing setup. Once installed, I don’t think about it.