18# vs 30# mach v wing

[fisheater]

I went with the digital camo version

But not for "stealth." I bought it so that it would stand out amongst all the black scuba gear.

 

[buddhasummer]

I went with the digital camo version

But not for "stealth." I bought it so that it would stand out amongst all the black scuba gear.

must say the camo version looks pretty cool too...

 

[halocline]

The Oxycheq wings are not the best for travel because they are very stiff, and do not pack down well.

You say this frequently and I'll repeat that it's simply not true. They're made of slightly heavier fabric than most other wings. No other difference. You can fold them up or lay them flat just like anything else made of fabric.

Getting back to the OP choosing between the 18 and 30 lb wings, I've used them both and there's not much practical difference. The 30 lb wing is a bit longer and a bit bigger in the inflation area, but they're both very compact wings and a real pleasure to dive with. The 18 lb wing will probably take up a bit less space in the bag, the 30 lb wing will probably float you a bit higher on the surface. Otther than that you won't notice much difference.

You will, though, notice a huge improvement diving with a rigid plate and hogarthian harness. And congrats on the weight loss, that's not an easy thing to do!

 

[ams511]

You say this frequently and I'll repeat that it's simply not true. They're made of slightly heavier fabric than most other wings. No other difference. You can fold them up or lay them flat just like anything else made of fabric.

I am not the only person with this opinion. I have an Oxycheq as well as wings from DSS, Halcyon, Hollis, and Zeagle. The stiffest and the bulkiest is the Oxycheq hands down. I like the wing but it is not the best for traveling.

 

[Nemrod]

I have both the 18 and the 30. I would consider the 18 to be a specialty wing for warm water and tropical diving with minimal suits/shorties. If an all around wing is your need, then just get the 30 pound. But, as small as the 30 is, the 18 is smaller. I love the 18 because it is as close to no BC as one can be without going without, which I often do. The only reason I use a BC in warm water is to satisfy all the restrictive rules the world places on us cattle, moooooo, mooooo, must conform to the heard think or they will not let me chew my cud in peace.

N

 

[ams511]

I have both the 18 and the 30. I would consider the 18 to be a specialty wing for warm water and tropical diving with minimal suits/shorties. If an all around wing is your need, then just get the 30 pound. But, as small as the 30 is, the 18 is smaller. I love the 18 because it is as close to no BC as one can be without going without, which I often do. The only reason I use a BC in warm water is to satisfy all the restrictive rules the world places on us cattle, moooooo, mooooo, must conform to the heard think or they will not let me chew my cud in peace.

N

OMG, next thing you will be telling us you still dive with a double-hose.

 

[TSandM]

The 18 lb wing will limit options. I have a 17 lb DSS travel wing, which is an utter delight to dive -- but it is marginal in lift, even for a steel tank with a 3 mil wetsuit, or for any tank with thicker exposure protection. Since I no longer dive a 3 mil suit anywhere, I don't use the wing any more.

If you become a more polished diver and move less, you may find that you want more neoprene for warmth, in which case the 18 lb wing won't cut it. The 30 is bigger, but not so much that it will taco and become a nuisance. I'd recommend maximizing your options and buying the larger wing.

 

[eelnoraa]

I also agree with ams511 about Oxycheq wing is not the packing friendly wing. Although it is still better than any full feature BC, it is certainly not as "packable" as DSS, Halcyon, Hollis. In fact, A 60lb Halcyon Evolve double wing would fold down smaller than Oxycheq MkV 40 lb wing, much smaller. A H 30lb Eclipse will pack smaller than MkV 18lb. I can shoot some pictures about the first comparison.

Another issue with Oxy MkV 30lb/40lb design is their too narrow, that they really don't give your full advertized lift when tank is mounted. I recently did a back to back dive with Oxy 40 vs Eclipse 30. Eclipse float me higher on surface despite 10lb lift deficit.

I am not the only person with this opinion. I have an Oxycheq as well as wings from DSS, Halcyon, Hollis, and Zeagle. The stiffest and the bulkiest is the Oxycheq hands down. I like the wing but it is not the best for traveling.

I will suggest going with a 30lb well design wing. It is really not very noticeable in warm water. It is quite good enough for 50F water drysuit too.