Just got my order from DSS. I have purchased quite a few products and accessories in the past from DSS, but had yet to get a BP&W setup from them. Figured I post some thoughts on the stuff in case someone is thinking of a similar purchase.
Thumb loop for HID lighthead: definitely a good quailty and well thought out piece of equipment. Installs with just a philips screwdriver and an allen wrench, no other mods or work required. Very easy to install, feels solid, a good choice for someone who wants a thumb loop.
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=1314
Rig with Kydex plate and torus 26 singles wing with hog harness:
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=5
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=104
The wing is definitely good quality (no surprise there). IMO, DSS is one of the only companies that has the corrogated inflator hose just right. Most of the other wings and BCs I have used have a hose that is too long, Halcyon and DSS are 2 companies that have it sized just right. I also like the new OPV on the wings, it is built like a tank, and the thicker pull dump cord is a nice touch.
The inflator is the same standard inflator that comes on many wings now. Inexpensive to replace, and easy to service yourself if you are so inclined.
The wing is streamlined and narrow, with drainage mesh on the top and bottom. The wing is a bit longer than I expected, and when it is inflated there seems to be some extra material at the bottom (between where the bottom window for the cam band is and top of the internal bladder when inflated). I am curious if that is designed that way to better fit the shape of the tank, or for some other reason. Not a negative, just an observation. The wing has the "wobble-stopper" sewn in between the 2 cam band holes. Which seems as fine a solution to not using a STA as I have seen, feels very stable. It has been said that you can use the wings with our without a STA, it would appear (I still have to try it) that the wobble-stopper will compress to accomodate a STA, but the design might lend itself better to certain types of STAs. I would be interested to hear from other DSS wing users who are using a STA, and how it works for them.
The kydex backplate is, as advertised, light-weight and has the center channel and harness slots reinforced. It is considerably flatter than any of the other BPs I have, again not a negative but an observation. Feels comfortable on, all around just what I was looking for.
The hog harness (which includes a knife - nice touch), is your standard no-frills affair(as a hog harness should be). It is fairly easy to put together, and comes with instructions, although anyone who has used one before likely will not need them. The vidoes on the DSS website are helpful too. The only piece of the whole kit that I had a hard time with was threading the crotch strap though rear tri-glide twice. It is a curved tri-glide (different than any I have used before), and I am pretty sure it is from the devil. I found it quite hard to get the softer material on the crotch strap though it twice to secure it. The kit is complete, which means you don't have to go trying to find other parts. It includes the harness accessories, and bands for the inflator and shoulder straps.
Some random thougts I am having:
The rubber knobbies (not sure what to call them) that are used as guides and to hold the wing to the plate without a STA are an interesting design. Definitely is convienent so that the wing does not fall/flop around when moving the rig without a tank attached. Not sure how long they will last, as it seems like a part that would probably not last as long as the rest of the rig. I am sure they are cheap and easy to get if more are required though.
The kydex BP comes with a warning to not expose it to high heat or leave too long in direct sun exposure ( I am paraphrasing here), as the thermoplastic can warp. That sounds like one of those things where you probably won't know how much is too much until it has gone too far. I am assuming that leaving it on the dive deck of a boat for a day in FL is not too much, or I may be concerned since many boats do not have shade.
I bought this mainly for warm water travel. In the past I have used weight pouches on the cam bands of the STA to put extra trim weight in. I have not tried it yet with this rig, so I will have to see how that works. I am curious what others who have the same rig are doing (if anything) for trim weighting.
Overall, the fit and finish of the product is outstanding, and definitely worth the money. Another very satisfied customer here.
Thumb loop for HID lighthead: definitely a good quailty and well thought out piece of equipment. Installs with just a philips screwdriver and an allen wrench, no other mods or work required. Very easy to install, feels solid, a good choice for someone who wants a thumb loop.
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=1314
Rig with Kydex plate and torus 26 singles wing with hog harness:
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=5
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=104
The wing is definitely good quality (no surprise there). IMO, DSS is one of the only companies that has the corrogated inflator hose just right. Most of the other wings and BCs I have used have a hose that is too long, Halcyon and DSS are 2 companies that have it sized just right. I also like the new OPV on the wings, it is built like a tank, and the thicker pull dump cord is a nice touch.
The inflator is the same standard inflator that comes on many wings now. Inexpensive to replace, and easy to service yourself if you are so inclined.
The wing is streamlined and narrow, with drainage mesh on the top and bottom. The wing is a bit longer than I expected, and when it is inflated there seems to be some extra material at the bottom (between where the bottom window for the cam band is and top of the internal bladder when inflated). I am curious if that is designed that way to better fit the shape of the tank, or for some other reason. Not a negative, just an observation. The wing has the "wobble-stopper" sewn in between the 2 cam band holes. Which seems as fine a solution to not using a STA as I have seen, feels very stable. It has been said that you can use the wings with our without a STA, it would appear (I still have to try it) that the wobble-stopper will compress to accomodate a STA, but the design might lend itself better to certain types of STAs. I would be interested to hear from other DSS wing users who are using a STA, and how it works for them.
The kydex backplate is, as advertised, light-weight and has the center channel and harness slots reinforced. It is considerably flatter than any of the other BPs I have, again not a negative but an observation. Feels comfortable on, all around just what I was looking for.
The hog harness (which includes a knife - nice touch), is your standard no-frills affair(as a hog harness should be). It is fairly easy to put together, and comes with instructions, although anyone who has used one before likely will not need them. The vidoes on the DSS website are helpful too. The only piece of the whole kit that I had a hard time with was threading the crotch strap though rear tri-glide twice. It is a curved tri-glide (different than any I have used before), and I am pretty sure it is from the devil. I found it quite hard to get the softer material on the crotch strap though it twice to secure it. The kit is complete, which means you don't have to go trying to find other parts. It includes the harness accessories, and bands for the inflator and shoulder straps.
Some random thougts I am having:
The rubber knobbies (not sure what to call them) that are used as guides and to hold the wing to the plate without a STA are an interesting design. Definitely is convienent so that the wing does not fall/flop around when moving the rig without a tank attached. Not sure how long they will last, as it seems like a part that would probably not last as long as the rest of the rig. I am sure they are cheap and easy to get if more are required though.
The kydex BP comes with a warning to not expose it to high heat or leave too long in direct sun exposure ( I am paraphrasing here), as the thermoplastic can warp. That sounds like one of those things where you probably won't know how much is too much until it has gone too far. I am assuming that leaving it on the dive deck of a boat for a day in FL is not too much, or I may be concerned since many boats do not have shade.
I bought this mainly for warm water travel. In the past I have used weight pouches on the cam bands of the STA to put extra trim weight in. I have not tried it yet with this rig, so I will have to see how that works. I am curious what others who have the same rig are doing (if anything) for trim weighting.
Overall, the fit and finish of the product is outstanding, and definitely worth the money. Another very satisfied customer here.