A Question of Wings

[H2Andy]

(and also a poll, for my own curiosity)

i dive a Dive Rite Venture wing (30 lbs) and am in the process of changing over
to a Halcyon Pioneer (36 lbs) for two reasons:

1. i am going to be diving more steel, so need more lift (i dive a wet suit)

and

2. the dump valve on the Venture faces the tank, so it gets scrunched into
the tank and it makes dumping air a bit difficult.

so here's my question:

what wing do you dive and why do you dive it?

 

[jonnythan]

I dive a Pioneer 36 cause it was the only good single tank wing available when I bought it. Works well enough, the dump valve is well placed. I have no complaints.

 

[The Kraken]

Andy,
From an opposite view point, I dive the Venture wing and love the way it vents. I've had no issues with the placement of the dump at all.

The K

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I used to dive a Venture wing, but sold it. For me, it just didn't provide adequate lift.

By contrast, both my Oxycheq 30# wing and my DSS 30# wing provide adequate lift.

Not all 30# wings are created equal, apparently ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[bcsean]

diving an oxycheq 45# singles wing now. Just up until I can afford my new explorer 55# and some more regs for doubles.

 

[hermosadive]

Oxycheq #30 floats my lard and a steel 95 no problem. Seems like a lot of the "punctured wing" posts I've read involve Halcyon. Just my observation.

 

[Hyper-limits]

When I dive doubles I used my OMS 60# non banded wing which is plenty of lift.
When diving single 80 I used my Halcyon pionner 36# nice and compact.

 

[Mako Mark]

long time user of DR classic,

but have some DSS single wings STUCK IN CUSTOMS FOR 5 FREAKIN DAYS....mutter mutter ..... (p**che coyotes....)

but I am going to Miami this week, so may pick up some halcyon to compare..

 

[RTodd]

(and also a poll, for my own curiosity)

i dive a Dive Rite Venture wing (30 lbs) and am in the process of changing over
to a Halcyon Pioneer (36 lbs) for two reasons:

what wing do you dive and why do you dive it?

If by dump valve you mean where the inflator hose connects to the wing, then I agree, it is set up all wrong. I don't know what size wings Halcyon and the other manufacturers make now. As other posts said, actual ratings may vary, but you may not need 36lbs with a steal single. With a properly balanced rig, I use an 18lb (Halcyon, not made anymore) in aluminum singles and a 38 lb in double 80s (again Halcyon, not made anymore) and use Dive Rite Classics and the larger Halcyon's with steel doubles. PM if you have more specific questions. Without knowing your exact build and exposure protection it is hard to give more specific advice.

 

[jonnythan]

If by dump valve you mean where the inflator hose connects to the wing, then I agree, it is set up all wrong. I don't know what size wings Halcyon and the other manufacturers make now. As other posts said, actual ratings may vary, but you may not need 36lbs with a steal single. With a properly balanced rig, I use an 18lb (Halcyon, not made anymore) in aluminum singles and a 38 lb in double 80s (again Halcyon, not made anymore) and use Dive Rite Classics and the larger Halcyon's with steel doubles. PM if you have more specific questions. Without knowing your exact build and exposure protection it is hard to give more specific advice.

I dunno about the Dive Rite, but the Pioneer does not have a pull dump the way many BC's do. Doesn't seem like the best idea to be yanking on your inflator hose all the time. The dump valve is located at the bottom of the wing on the left hand side.