Halcyon Long Hose Stick Review

A simple but flawless piece of kit, it provides perfect long hose retention without a canister light or tucking. It mounts cleanly to a backplate harness and never snags, slips, or fails. This is now my standard for all long hose dives.

By Tyler Allison · Updated July 2025

Use: Over a year of long-hose dives
Current role: Long-hose retention on my backplate harness
Still in my kit: Yes

The Short Version

The Halcyon stick solved a specific problem for me: retaining my long hose without having to wear a canister light or tuck the hose. It holds the hose securely, releases cleanly during donation, and stays out of the way on my waist strap. I use it on every long-hose dive, and it has not snagged, slipped, or failed in my use.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely. I tried alternatives before this one, and it is the one that worked for my setup.

What Works

The right length and spacing for my long-hose routing
Secure retention without a canister light or tucking
Clean release during donation and easy hose stowage
Smooth, low-profile construction without snags or pressure points
Mounting with a spare buckle or between weight pockets

What Doesn't

I have not found a drawback in my backplate and long-hose setup. Its usefulness is specific to that configuration, rather than something every diver needs.

Why I Chose the Halcyon Stick

I initially used a canister light for hose retention, but I did not want to be locked into wearing one on every dive. I tried an Apeks hose stick that was too short for my routing, followed by a 3D-printed version that lacked the right tension and did not hold the hose reliably.

The Halcyon stick was recommended to me for a standard long-hose and backplate setup. Its length, angle, and spacing fit my hose loop and shoulder routing, and it solved the retention problem without interfering with the rest of my equipment.

How I Mount It

I mount the stick on the waist strap using a spare buckle or trap it between my xDeep weight pockets, depending on the harness configuration I am diving. Both arrangements keep it securely in place without needing a canister light.

Once installed, it does not require ongoing adjustment in my use. The hose wraps cleanly, can be stowed quickly, and stays where I put it.

What It Is Like to Dive

Retention and Donation: It holds the long hose securely but releases immediately when I deploy it, without hangups. I have not had it slip or snag, and the hose stows easily afterward.
Trim and Movement: The waist-strap mounting has not affected my trim or buoyancy. It keeps the hose in place without shifting other equipment and has worked with the movement styles I use.
Comfort: It sits flush along the waist strap without protrusions or pressure points. The smooth edges do not catch on my setup.
Construction: It is a simple, rugged piece with no moving parts or rough edges.

Who It Makes Sense For

It makes sense for divers running a long hose on a backplate and wing who want retention without a canister light. Its low profile is also useful when traveling with that configuration.

This is not something I would recommend as a general accessory for every rig. A jacket-style BCD, sidemount configuration, or setup without a long hose may not have the same need or mounting arrangement. For my backplate setup, its low cost and practical utility have made it worth having.