How do you choose a wing?

[Pyndle]

It could be an option but it would take a lot of time to find someone to bring it. Second hand market is almost inexistant here (really hard to find specific gear).

I think my options without STA are either the OMS performance mono or the Tecline donut 13 (normal version).
Or spend a bit more and get an apeks - not sure if there is actually a premium or I'm just paying for the brand.

 

[lowwall]

Thank you, that's helpful.

I don't want to go too big in volume but also I want to keep my rig versatile, in case I go do a liveaboard somewhere colder, that's why I'm not looking at the 10L and below.

Fair enough.

On the STA, does it really make a difference? My understanding was that some wing will require one and some wing use something else, but overall it's the same thing it holds the tank in place.

It does make a difference. With an STA, the cam bands are threaded through the STA. Without, they are threaded through slots in the plate and wing.

The disadvantages of an STA are that they add weight, bulk and cost and position the tank farther from your bank making the rig slightly more tippy. These are all minor issues, but why deal with it if you don't need to?

For the record, using an STA is advantageous if you are diving cold water and want the extra weight or if you dive multiple setups as you can switch wings or plates just by undoing and redoing 2 bolts instead of unthreading and rethreading 2 cam bands.

On the apeks slot size, isn't this standardized? I would assume all brands have the same spacing/size for the holes no?

The spacing for the bolt holes is standardized. That's where the STA will be fixed if you use one. You can also bolt the plate to the wing even if you don't use an STA. I don't bother bolting my wing because I think it's easier to clean and pack with the wing being partially separate from the plate. It may take a couple of extra seconds to put an unbolted BPW on a tank, but once the cam straps are locked down, everything lines up nicely.

However, placement of any slots in the plate and wing for cam bands are not standardized. Most plates and wings have slots that are much longer than the 50mm (2") webbing so you have some flexibility, but not every plate will work with every wing.

I was considering:
- Apeks WTX D30
- Tecline Donut 13 (military line)
- x-deep Zeos - needs STA
- OMS performance mono 27 black

Any obvious choice? Xdeep and OMS are almost half the price of the Apeks and Tecline in my country.

Then get the OMS. It's a solid wing. I don't see any complaints except the pull dump requires a lot of force. I don't see that as a problem since I never actually use pull dumps. I prefer the butt dump or using the LPI button.

 

[Pyndle]

Thank you for the info. I bought this plate, hopefully it's compatible:

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004874602287.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.2fb55e5bw96PIe&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

Otherwise not a big deal it was only 40usd.

So my wing options are:

OMS performance mono 27 black - not available in black so will take a while to get, 375 usd
x deep Zeos - needs STA, cool design, 375 usd
Tecline Donut 13 (normal black, I don't like the design with the big white logo) - 491 usd
Tecline Donut 13 military (I love the design) - 660 usd (take a while to deliver)
Apeks WTX D30 PSD (I love the design and it dries quickly) - 660 usd

I'm considering splurging and getting the Apeks now that I see the OMS is not available in black. Only concern is weight, I couldn't find any website (including their official website) that shows how much heavier the PSD version is vs the normal version. I want something travel friendly.

I am also a bit annoyed as some products are outrageously expensive where I live. Tecline is so much cheaper in Europe. I want to make sure I get something that is good value for the money spent vs "normal" prices (EU / US prices).

 

[lexvil]

You don’t know anyone who travels to the US? The DGX is $199 and is high quality and worth the effort to find a traveler who can bring it with them, otherwise, if it were me I would look at the Aliexi offering.

I do know of someone traveling to Thailand next month.

 

[Kharon]

Before you opt for a wing, please try one out. Buoyancy is on your back - something I didn't consider. Current pushed me far from the dive boat and on the surface, the choppy water from all directions along with the bouyancy all on my back kept pushing me face first into the water. Impossible to keep upright or face up on my back, and waves far to rough and high for a snorkel. I sold that gear off and went back to my old BC which gives me bouyancy at the front and sides.

 

[BoltSnap]

went back to my old BC which gives me bouyancy at the front and sides.

Which one is that?

 

[lexvil]

Well here’s an idea, apparently wings are so dangerous that you should be able to just go down to the beach and pick one up from one of the dead divers

 

[lowwall]

Look where the slots are on the Apeks compared to the plate you bought. I'm not sure they will line up and even if they happen to be the right spacing, I think it's going to place the wing at a weird height.

Frankly, I don't get your preference for Apeks. They made their reputation on regulators, not soft goods like wings. I'm sure it's fine, except the inflator hose looks a little too long, but I wouldn't pay a premium for it.

I wouldn't let color trump all other considerations either.

 

[inquis]

I like to lean back against my wing. My face is much further out of the choppy water than it was with my jacket BC that rode up putting the shoulder straps at my ears.

 

[lowwall]

Before you opt for a wing, please try one out. Buoyancy is on your back - something I didn't consider. Current pushed me far from the dive boat and on the surface, the choppy water from all directions along with the bouyancy all on my back kept pushing me face first into the water. Impossible to keep upright or face up on my back, and waves far to rough and high for a snorkel. I sold that gear off and went back to my old BC which gives me bouyancy at the front and sides.

You don't fully inflate a back inflate BCD or wing at the surface. Inflate enough to get your head out of the water and lean back. It works fine.

I prefer all the other advantages of a wing over the one advantage of a jacket. I'm just not that into bobbing around on the surface in the chop. Put your reg in and swim towards the boat.