BP/Wing conversion CANDIDATE - Ordered

[modivin]

Well, after diving with all the high techies over the weekend at the quarry, and extensive research on the boards, I broke down and ordered a DSS setup tonight.

I got a SS plate with the pro-fit harness.

Since we drysuit dive with lots of thermal wear here in New England, I ordered the weight plate to optionally make the rig 13lbs neg.

I went with the 40 pound lift. Now this was a big debate. As much as I tried to get Tobin to tell me which one to order, it was ultimately my choice. He did say there was little noticable difference and certainly no negative impact going with the 40. What is the rule? If I use more than 30# weights I need a lift with more than 30? I'm not sure.

My thoughts were that I have a 40 pound BC now, and with upwards of 30 pounds of weight in salt using the drysuit, the 40 wouldn't hurt. If anyone thinks I made a big mistake please tell me!

Using an AL80 I'll have aprox 13 pounds non-ditch weight, 12 pounds on the weight belt in fresh, and 18 in salt.

I hope that I picked a decent combination. I can see that steel tanks are in my future, as well as the poor house.

Cheers,

Jeff

P.S. DON'T tell Lisa!! I'll be ordering ANOTHER one and then I'll REALLY be poor!

Jeff,

I'd be interesed to hear how you like the rig. I am in the process myself of deciding to make the leap to BP/W myself and have emailed Tobin a couple times and he has been most helpful and responsive. I currently use a Seaquest Pro Unlimited and like ok, it is really bulky on me. The setup I'm considering is identical except I leaning more towards the 30# wing (I dive wet here in NC). I think I'd like to have all that on my back....but let me know!

Mark

 

[johnnyseko]

Jealous! Been eyeing that one too...

 

[jduncan]

Guys, I'll certainly post back on what iI think. Looks like a dive is in order for Sat or Sunday this weekend in the local pond. Stay tuned!

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

FWIW, the profile of the 40# wing i very small and is very similar to the 30#. For that matter, the internal bladder is the same on the 30 and 40#. I don't see much reason to not get a 40 if you're in cold water. You definitely won't have any perceivable increase in drag. You probably can't even tell them apart at a glance.

But, hey, I know it's fun to overthink these things

 

[jduncan]

Well, It arrived today. Sure is nice! One thing I noticed is that the dump hose is very short. Too short, actually for my liking. When standing up straight it barely make the curve over my shouler. I have a brand new oceanic corrugated hose and valve (I removed it when installing the integrated air XS) which is 2" longer and fits perfectly on the wing.

It also has the pull dump feature. So, I installed it, and it seems to work better. The other thing I like about the oceanic it is that the air supply connection is on the OUTSISDE of the inflator valve. This means that the LP hose has a more natural route. The inflator valve on the stock hose was on the INSIDE and the LP hose has to cross over or under the corrugated hose. So....I am trying it tomorrow and will report back.

J

 

[PerroneFord]

Jduncan. Interesting. I've looked at a number of Golem wings and I've never seen the corrugated hose being that short. In fact, on the harness, it has tucked quite nicely into the provided bungee just above the left chest D-Ring. Can you take a picture of yours for reference?

Also I disagree with you about the position of the LP inflator hose. My Halcyon wing has the connection to the inside, and my Dive Rite to the outside. I find the inside hose routing MUCH cleaner, especially in doubles. But that's just my opinion.

Hope you like your new gear!

 

[lof]

Jduncan,

The corrugated hose is 14' long, pretty standard. It should sit right below your shoulder when configured properly. Also, you can get the inflator valve on the outside, just rorate the inflator 180 degrees. That is how I have it configured on my Meg.
It is all just matter of preference, use whatever configuration works best for you.

 

[Vayu]

Thats right. All of us GOLEM folk have arrived to take over what is rightfully tobin's thread.

We are here, and we are many.

BTW, Jakub, thanks for the tip on the corrugated inflator hose. Who knew they could rotate like that?

-V

 

[BabyDuck]

i'm sure you know this, but don't be surprised if you need less lead since you're not sinking so much padding anymore.

looking forward to the report of the 'maiden voyage'!

 

[jduncan]

Well, I'll update everyone now!

I tried it out. I really need to get my bouyancy and trim right because Lisa said I was all over the place. I felt it too. I think I was light, as well. I used ankle weights for the first time as well, so that was different! I am using the weight plates too, which I may try NOT using next time - just to see the difference.

I was using 28 integrated pounds in fw with my drysuit and fleece, no ankle weights, with my old BC.

With the new setup, I had 10 pounds on my weight belt, 3lbs in ankle weights, and and advertised 13 pounds on the backplate (including the weight plates).

I figured that would have been enough, but I felt very light even with a full tank, which may have contributed to me being all over!

So, next time I may try a few things differently - I have heard it takes a few dives at least.

Also, to get the plate higher on my back, I have uncrossed the straps, and will try that next time.

I also felt that the cinch buckles on the shoulder straps are too far back behind me, and would be better placed just below my shoulders, higher on the harness, where they are on a traditional BC. They were hard to adjust being back so far. So I went ahead and made that change too.

I also bough the xs weight pouches to get rid of my weight belt and move some trim weight around.

Overall it's a very nice product, but very different for me.

Also, I do find that it will send you face first if you are not 90% on your back, or finning, at the surface.

Might dive it again this weekend, and will update everyone.

Jeff