DGX Custom 30# vs Hog 32# BPW?

[komedian]

Evening guys, I'm sure this has probably been discussed before but some moderate searching has been unable to get me a solid answer.

I'm a new diver, got open water 3 weeks ago, have nitrox and advanced OW next week, and have been going at it hard with a buddy over the last 2 weeks after work and on weekends and we have logged 25 dives so far. We're lucky that my base's dive shop offers gear rentals for dirt cheap, basically like $50/wk for jacket BC, weights, wetsuit, reg, and 4 tanks. Already have my own DC. However I want to move from renting gear to owning, and want a BPW. It seems like both setups mentioned in the title pretty well loved by most folks, and I would just buy the DGX outright except that its on backorder right now. Should I continue renting and wait for it to come back in stock or just get the HOG BPW from dive supply?

Right now I am just single tank diving in Florida springs and Open Water down to ~100' or so, however I intend to pursue tech training and get into cave diving and want to get a setup that is simple, can travel with me, but can also evolve as I get into more specialized diving.

I appreciate all input anyone has for me

 

[drk5036]

The DGX is nicer because it has a slimmer profile. But lots and lots of people have dove with that HOG wing and others similar, so it's not necessarily bad, just people tend to prefer the profile of the DGX / VDH / Oxycheq wings. If you can wait, I would, but if you really need it now, you'll be fine with what you get.

Another option is if you get a 32 lbs HOG wing, you could in the future by a slim-line, oxycheq of VDH 18 lbs wing to use for travel, where you don't really need to use the wing much.

 

[Zef]

The current DGX wing does have a narrower profile than the HOG wings but I doubt you will notice much difference. One of my kids dives a HOG 360 32lb lift wing and I use a Dive Rite Voyager XT wing...the slightly wider profile around our tanks compared to the current crop of wings that are in fashion is fairly inconsequential.

I think the narrower profile wings are mostly a cosmetic thing, meaning they present a neater/tighter looking appearance. Functionally, any wing, partially filled, will "taco" to some degree along the length of the tank mounted on the backplate. The narrower ones will taco slightly less....but as long as it is not tacoing so much that you cannot reach and manage the OPV/dump valve on the bottom of the wing then its all good. Between the two wings you are considering, neither will present a problem with this.

If you really care about the appearance issue then, as has been suggested, wait for the DGX wing....good product, DGX has good customer service, and the company stands behind what they sell.

If that cosmetic issue is not an issue or you want the wing sooner then get the HOG wing...good product, HOG has good customer service, and the company stands behind what they sell as well.

If buying a smaller wing for travel is part of your plan then perhaps for versatility you might want to consider the DRIS Mirage wing. The Mirage comes with 2 different covers to change the lift characteristics of the wing. The only issue is that it has a solid center panel (no slots for cam straps) so requires the use of an STA, unless you some how customize it by adding slots which should not be too hard to do:
Mirage 23/38lb Wing

-Z

 

[komedian]

f you can wait, I would, but if you really need it now, you'll be fine with what you get.

Another option is if you get a 32 lbs HOG wing, you could in the future by a slim-line, oxycheq of VDH 18 lbs wing to use for travel, where you don't really need to use the wing much.

I can wait, so guess thats the play. Does anyone know the average time it takes for DGX to restock? I may shoot them an email.

 

[komedian]

The current DGX wing does have a narrower profile than the HOG wings but I doubt you will notice much difference. One of my kids dives a HOG 360 32lb lift wing and I use a Dive Rite Voyager XT wing...the slightly wider profile around our tanks compared to the current crop of wings that are in fashion is fairly inconsequential.

I think the narrower profile wings are mostly a cosmetic thing, meaning they present a neater/tighter looking appearance. Functionally, any wing, partially filled, will "taco" to some degree along the length of the tank mounted on the backplate. The narrower ones will taco slightly less....but as long as it is not tacoing so much that you cannot reach and manage the OPV/dump valve on the bottom of the wing then its all good. Between the two wings you are considering, neither will present a problem with this.

If you really care about the appearance issue then, as has been suggested, wait for the DGX wing....good product, DGX has good customer service, and the company stands behind what they sell.

If that cosmetic issue is not an issue or you want the wing sooner then get the HOG wing...good product, HOG has good customer service, and the company stands behind what they sell as well.

If buying a smaller wing for travel is part of your plan then perhaps for versatility you might want to consider the DRIS Mirage wing. The Mirage comes with 2 different covers to change the lift characteristics of the wing. The only issue is that it has a solid center panel (no slots for cam straps) so requires the use of an STA, unless you some how customize it by adding slots which should not be too hard to do:
Mirage 23/38lb Wing

-Z

Thanks for the info. I was pretty conflicted between which to get, I think I will wait for the DGX since I can continue renting for super cheap, but definitely want to have my own BPW before I leave FL and am back to STL since here I have way more opportunity for diving and learning from hands on time. If the DGX isn't restocked in a timely manner its comforting to know HOG is a solid alternative.

One of the only difference I have found is the HOG is 840D cordura and the DGX is 1000D, and that the DGX may be more UV resistant? I don't know if this is a meaningful difference but I will sometimes dry gear in the bed of my truck while driving or on my balcony in partial or full shade.

 

[kelemvor]

At least you're starting down the BP/W path. Once you get your buoyancy and weighting right you'll realize that 30lb is far more than you need for wetsuit (or nosuit) diving except some rare exceptions. I traded in my big diverite wing last year for an 18lb wing and surprise surprise, it's plenty of lift.

You might consider taking a buoyancy class. I know there's several guys in the area of the springs that teach them. I think @The Chairman does, or did until he broke his leg anyway. Not sure if he's back to teaching, but some friends of mine took his class and raved about it.

Why would you want a smaller wing? A larger wing produces a LOT of drag. Until I tried a smaller one, I didn't realize how much. More drag means you have to kick a lot harder to move. More kicking translates into breathing more air - even if you're not getting winded.

When I was at about 25 dives, I was breathing about 1.5cuft of air every minute. Now days I average 0.75. Lots of folks still consider that pretty high. Most of that change happened when I worked out my buoyancy and trim rather than gradually. I haven't actually calculated it since the wing switch, I probably should. Why do you care? If you're having to end dives when you're low on air instead of when you get tired of looking at cool stuff (or the captain's time limit) then it's probably an issue for you.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Check out the Oxycheq Mach V 30lb wing as well! Love that wing!

 

[komedian]

Check out the Oxycheq Mach V 30lb wing as well! Love that wing!

I have been looking at that too actually, but average retail price is more than I'm looking to spend initially. I'm not opposed to buying used by any means either though.

 

[komedian]

At least you're starting down the BP/W path. Once you get your buoyancy and weighting right you'll realize that 30lb is far more than you need for wetsuit (or nosuit) diving except some rare exceptions. I traded in my big diverite wing last year for an 18lb wing and surprise surprise, it's plenty of lift.

You might consider taking a buoyancy class. I know there's several guys in the area of the springs that teach them. I think @The Chairman does, or did until he broke his leg anyway. Not sure if he's back to teaching, but some friends of mine took his class and raved about it.

Why would you want a smaller wing? A larger wing produces a LOT of drag. Until I tried a smaller one, I didn't realize how much. More drag means you have to kick a lot harder to move. More kicking translates into breathing more air - even if you're not getting winded.

I'll consider the buoyancy class. I have been trying to focus on being properly weighted from the start of each dive as is so that its all second nature before long but I'm new and there's always more to learn. I'll consider the smaller wing too. Part of the reason I want a BPW sooner rather than later is because I have freshwater springs, saltwater w/ no wetsuit and then deeper OW that wetsuits are nice for all very close to me, so three difference weight setups would be necessary, and I would like the hands on experience from each vs getting surprised by being over or underweighted on a vacation at some point after doing a lot of freshwater diving in MO.

 

[lowwall]

Does anyone have any experience with the Manta Predator wing? At $250, it looks like a good deal for a 30lb wing: 1000D Cordura, cam band slots, US made.

It looks like these are no longer in production, but Piranha and Northeast Scuba Supply have them in stock. https://www.piranhadivemfg.com/item/Manta-Predator-30-Pound-Lift-Wing-12350