BP+Wing Mating Questions

[Ikari]

OK, after spending some time here reading all about the virtues and benefits of a BP/W setup, I've decided to get one instead of a conventional BC.

<Pauses while applause dies down>

However, there are some questions I haven't been able to find the answers to.

I've decided on the stainless backplate from Deep Sea Supply. This plate has gotten a lot of good press from this and other scuba boards. I like the rubber around the webbing slots for reduced wear, and I like the ability to bolt weight plates onto it.

As for a wing, I'm trying to decide between the LCD-30 wing (made by Deep Sea Supply) and the Halcyon Pioneer 36. This is where I need help from y'all.

I know that the LCD 30 will fit the plate because they're made by the same company. If I purchased this wing, however, I'd want to replace the inflator with the spiffy new one that Halcyon makes. Now, I could pay $289 for the wing, then another $92 for the inflator, or I could just pay $298 for the Halcyon Pioneer 36 that already has the inflator. The problem is, I need to know for sure that the Pioneer wing will fit the DSS plate. Are the cam strap slots in the wing the same distance apart as those in the backplate? Also, the DSS plate does not require an STA due to the flatness of the plate, but the Pioneer wing includes a built-in STA incorporated into the wing. Will this interfere with mounting it to the DSS backplate?

Are there any other incongruencies that may exist that I haven't addressed? The main reason for the dilemma is the choice of inflator. If the Pioneer won't work on this plate, I have no problem paying a few extra bucks to get one to install. The question is mainly one of convenience. I appreciate any input that the plethora of BP/W divers here can provide. Thanks.

 

[jonnythan]

I think the fact that the Pioneer is a donut shaped wing is enough reason to get it over the DSS wing.

The LCD is bizarre looking.. it doesn't actually attach to the plate in any way..

 

[The Kraken]

Yes, the wing will fit.
Just about every wing is made with grommets set on 11" centers. These grommets will align with the holes on the back plate.

 

[simbrooks]

Of course depending on your plate (i havent seen DSS's) there is often room for a little fudge with the lower bolt hole (more of a cut about 1-inch long) that allows you to be a little "off" 11-inches exactly. Wings however do seem fairly rigid on 11-inches, but the fabric usually stretches a bit or if your bolts are closer than 11-inches by a fraction of course the attachment fabric has more slack. Are you planning on singles or doubles diving? Singles typically the STA's are set at 11-inches, unless you get a two piece, then its your choice a bit more, doubles you set the band spacing and how accurate that measurement is.

Short answer - yeh it'll work

 

[bcsean]

the oxycheq is also a good donut wing to consider. And for single tank diving, a donut is really the only option. Or at least the only good one

 

[Quarrior]

Personally, I love my Oxycheq 45. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing, regardless of what the dealers and manufacturers say, you cannot use a singles wing for doubles and cannot use a doubles wing for singles.

 

[OneBrightGator]

The LCD is bizarre looking.. it doesn't actually attach to the plate in any way..

Not true, it comes rigged with plugs that fit into the holes on the bp, these can also be replaced with standard bolts or removed completely if you use an STA.

The spacing on the old Pioneers was slightly more then 11", they worked with an STA but I never did like the fit, don't know if this has changed or not.

I would go with a DSS combo, save some money.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I think the fact that the Pioneer is a donut shaped wing is enough reason to get it over the DSS wing.

The LCD is bizarre looking.. it doesn't actually attach to the plate in any way..

Actually, I'll be diving a DSS wing later tonight ... and over the week-end ... for the express purpose of comparing it to my Oxycheq wings. I'll give you all a review based on actually diving it after I've had a chance to put some bottom time on the product.

However, it does attach to the plate ... using rubber plugs.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[jonnythan]

Notice that he didn't ask about the bolt holes.

He asked about the cam band spacing, which is entirely different.

Does anyone actually know if the cam band slots on a Pioneer line up with the slots on the DSS backplate?

 

[jonnythan]

Not true, it comes rigged with plugs that fit into the holes on the bp, these can also be replaced with standard bolts or removed completely if you use an STA.

Thanks for the info. Where do thes plugs fit onto the wing? There seems to be just a large empty panel where the hump of the backplate goes.