Need help choosing a donut wing.

[hedgehog47]

I currently have a SS backplate with a diverite venture wing. I use alum 80's and do dives up to about 100 feet, wrecks lobstering, etc.

I'd like to get a more streamlined donut wing. I have considered the

apeks 18lb
apeks 30lb
lightmonkey 28lb
halcyon 25 or 30lb
DRIS 25lb
I use a STA and want a wing with a solid center section (not a diverite or similiar style with just webbing in the middle)

assuming I keep my wing I have now, is there any harm in using that 18 lb wing ? will stability be affected ? It seems very streamlined but I've never used anything that small before and not sure how it will feel. At 350-375.00 it's a considerable investment so, thought I would ask more experienced people on here first ! thanks !

 

[TommyAHS]

Hedgehog,

I think you are well on your way man, to keep your options open, and this is just my opinion, I would look for a mid-sized wing. There are loads of options out there. Some other ones are the zeagle 30lb donut and the whole realm of HOG wings. All of those are low-profile and very streamlined. We use them in certain cases with students just to allow for compact, easily-movable gear, with lots of user capabilities.

Here are just a few on this page to show you some examples: plates and wings

Either way, get what fits you and you think you will enjoy the most.

 

[TSandM]

The very small wings are delightful and easy to vent, but be sure that's enough lift for you. If you generally dive aluminum tanks with little or no exposure protection, it shouldn't be a problem. But if you have to add neoprene for colder water, you can quickly get to the point where 18 pounds of lift is not enough, if you go deep early in the dive, when the tank is full.

 

[uncfnp]

Hedgehog47. Knowing a little about the area where you dive (assuming it's where you live), I think you would be happier sticking with a 25 to 32 lift wing. I understand what you are saying about the venture wing but think going down to an 18 would just be overkill. Pick a streamline wing in the 25 to 32 range. You could then even sell the venture wing and recoup a little of your investment.

Unless of course you are ready to start collecting wings

 

[tbone1004]

like we've said before, nothing wrong with your Venture wing and there is no advantage to the full center section of the wings if you are using an STA. The venture wing is perfectly suited for most diving and you won't see any drag improvement by going to a smaller wing. If you want to get rid of the STA that's another point altogether regarding the wing center section, but frankly wanting to spend that much money to go to a different center section is a waste and won't get you anywhere. If you want to streamline the venture, there are little tabs at the bottom that you can fold over and tie into the waist strap or to a quick link on one of the the backplate holes and that will streamline the wing significantly and take you to about the same lift and profile as the smaller wings.

18lbs is the minimum lift I'd consider if you are diving without neoprene, with neoprene at those depths, you are already at 15lbs negative for the tank and rig when they're full, so if you have any neoprene on at all, it loses buoyancy and game over. Looks like you're in a skin in that picture, but you're going to need neoprene at some point, and there is really no need to spend that amount of money on a wing and it would honestly be a colossal waste of money. You're better off waiting until you need a doubles wing and using the money for that.

 

[hedgehog47]

The very small wings are delightful and easy to vent, but be sure that's enough lift for you. If you generally dive aluminum tanks with little or no exposure protection, it shouldn't be a problem. But if you have to add neoprene for colder water, you can quickly get to the point where 18 pounds of lift is not enough, if you go deep early in the dive, when the tank is full.

can you explain a bit further on what you mean by that

---------- Post added January 15th, 2015 at 04:43 PM ----------

most people are advising against the 18lb wing. I really liked how small it is and how it would be easy to pack and what not... But I guess there's a reason no one I talk to seems to want me to get it. I'll look into getting some shock line/bungee around my current wing so it doesn't flop around so much.

 

[tbone1004]

read last paragraph of my post, explains it.

10lbs weight of rig is 6lbs plate+hardware, 2lbs STA, 1lb each SS cam band

Assuming that alone is enough to offset the positive of the tank and your body, add 5.8lbs for the weight of the air you are breathing.
16lbs, so an 18lb wing is barely enough. It's enough, but only if you are diving without exposure protection

Put a 3mm wetsuit on that requires 5lbs of lead to sink it, you are now at 20lbs of negative buoyancy when you are at depth, 18lb wing is not enough. 25lb wing minimum for this type of diving.

 

[hedgehog47]

thanks. So how do people get by using the smaller travel wing's ? Some people must use them

 

[uncfnp]

Sometimes we just want what we want and if you dive with little to no neoprene and al tanks most of the time, the 18 will do. But if you dive with neoprene or go to steel tanks, you will need two wings so you will be back to diving the venture. I dive WPB with a SS backplate, steel tanks with 3 to 5 mil wetsuits and would not feel covered with just an 18 lb wing.

Packing an 18 vs a 30, very little difference, especially in the low profile wings. Diving Bonaire, I could use the 18 but why.

 

[hedgehog47]

and while we're on the topic why do diverite wings have the huge opening in the center, makes it flop all over the place. I feel like this wing i'm using is designed for a soft harness

---------- Post added January 15th, 2015 at 04:57 PM ----------

I did get some 1/8" shock cord, do you guys see any harm in putting a loop or two over the top section of the wing so it stops flopping around ? I can test it first and make sure it's not too tight and stil able to inflate