Lulubelle, in case you're still wondering what size wing to get, let me point you to this fantastic thread, since no one else seems to have remembered it:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ems/158370-ultimate-wing-lift-calculator.html
I have a "homemade" wing that has about 18-20 pounds of lift. I use 16 pounds of lead in 14mm of neoprene in cold fresh water and I used about 2 pounds in shallow diving in FL (BHB and LBTS) with a 4/3 full suit. In NC I would expect to use about 4-6 pounds and add my 5/3 hooded vest to my 4/3 suit. I always use AL80s. If I used steel 100s, I probably wouldn't need any weight in NC, like you. I dive a steel plate, I think a Salvo, with a two piece STA that adds about a pound, and a one-piece harness.
For what it's worth, I was diving a Genesis Phantom before I got my plate. My Phantom was about 8 pounds dry and significantly bulkier when traveling (and in the water). My plate, with STA and harness, weighs about 6 pounds and literally packs as flat as the plate allows, leaving me a lot more room for other gear in either my checked bag or my carry on bag.
Personally I'd still go with a steel plate, even for travel. It's only a couple pounds extra over the AL and provides that extra ballast when you're diving colder water.
As for different brands, I've only dived a DiveRite and my homemade wing. Both are plenty sufficient. I will say, I think the argument for full donuts/torroids versus a "horseshoe" shape make good sense. Similarly, a symmetric shape (my wing is an old collar so fatter on the "bottom") is a major plus. DSS makes good quality gear and Tobin definitely stands behind his product with the customer service he provides. I've heard a lot of negative stuff about Oxycheq wings, but I'm not sure of the driver behind that. I seem to recall customer service complaints being the biggest issue. Dive Rite makes good gear that I hear is well supported. I almost bought the 4th Element Trianta wing from Diverightinscuba because it was the right price, despite location of the dump valve. (Ended up buying a camera instead...)
When it comes down to it, like Flotsam said, a plate is basically a plate (assuming it fits). Hole patterns do make some difference but I haven't seen it to be significant in my limited experience and discussions at dive sites. The same can be said for wings. All the manufacturers use basically the same process, and the same materials. Some people will argue that Cordura 800 (or 1600 or whatever material) is better than Ballistic Nylon (or whatever material) but for most people's purposes (IE people not doing extreme penetrations etc.) they are all sufficiently durable.
I made my wing using Cordura that I've used for mountain climbing gear that has lasted through far harsher conditions for over a decade. Almost everyone uses the same type of thread too, so the argument for stitching is a red herring. If any of the big manufacturers have a stitching problem, you got a lemon, it's not a matter of overall quality of their product line.
So basically, what I'm saying is buy a wing that is the size you need and base your decision of manufacturer on factors that are important to you, be it price, features (like fully removable cover or placement of dump valves), customer service or whatever but quality really isn't a major factor, if we're being honest. For me, I primarily shop for diving gear by price (hence the homemade wing...) so several brands are automatically out of the running. If price is not an issue (there's not a huge difference between the cheapest and most expensive brands) then you have more options available.