Decide between wings

[Samlazaz]

Hi,

I'm new to scuba diving, and am trying to put together a better BP/W setup.
So far I'm only doing recreational, warm water dives. I don't even need a wetsuit.
When I first bought my equipment, the dive shop sold me a 45lbs doubles wing, which was totally inappropriate for what I wanted to do, but at the time I didn't know any better and was using that. Needless to say, I've had buoyancy issues with it as I find it difficult to dump air with only a single tank.

Anyway, I'm looking at single tank wings now, and am trying to decide between a hollis 25 lbs wing and a 30 lbs scubapro wing. I can get them for about the same money (Scubapro is 20 dollars more). My hollis plate doesn't match the cam band slots on the scubapro wing, but I use an STA anyway.

I carry 10 lbs of weight, which is probably more than I need, with an AL backplate.

Does anyone have experiences with either of these wings?

Links to wings I'm comparing:

SCUBAPRO - DONUT WING

S25 LX WING w/ slots

 

[eelnoraa]

Is there any reason you want to choose between Hollis and Scubapro? Both aren't exactly wing experts in the diving industry and are on the high end of the cost spectrum.

I will recommend Halcyon, DSS or Oxycheq.

 

[buddhasummer]

I use an Oxycheq 18lb wing with similar weight with AL80 and AL plate when tropic travel diving. It's my favorite wing.

---------- Post added August 14th, 2015 at 03:57 AM ----------

I also have an Oxycheq 30lb wing which I also like a great deal. steel plate, steel tank, heavy suit.

---------- Post added August 14th, 2015 at 04:46 AM ----------

I've used the Hollis and didn't like it. A buddy has the SP, it's a nice enough wing but as posted above is expensive, too expensive IMO.

 

[Samlazaz]

I can get both wings for about 100 dollars under the selling price on Amazon. Really, I'm looking at those wings because those are my options in the local area.
I notice the SP wing has a different inflater hose - I was wondering if anyone had experience with that.
Do you think I will notice a difference between 25 and 30 pounds of lift?

Seems like a shame that the cam band positions are standardized throught the industry.

 

[buddhasummer]

I can get both wings for about 100 dollars under the selling price on Amazon. Really, I'm looking at those wings because those are my options in the local area.
I notice the SP wing has a different inflater hose - I was wondering if anyone had experience with that.
Do you think I will notice a difference between 25 and 30 pounds of lift?

Seems like a shame that the cam band positions are standardized throught the industry.

They are not standard but can vary between brands.

---------- Post added August 14th, 2015 at 08:27 AM ----------

Just realized yours may have been a typo, if so I apologise and please disregard my post.

 

[TkdDiver]

I have the SP 30lb Xtek wing. While yes, it may be expensive I love it. I use the entire SP Xtek bp/w set up with the AL backplate, harness, crotch strap, STA, and 30lb wing.

The inflator hose on the SP is nice for 2 reason, the auto inflate button vs deflate/manual inflate button are different color and different shapes/sizes. This helps prevent mixing them up by allowing the user to easily identify which button they're pressing without having to look at them. I have no experience with the Hollis but I know after making the purchase of my SP i love it. Plus the wing of the SP is covered in an extra layer of nylon to help keep the wing protected from abrasions against rocks and other things. Its tough and I have no buyer's remorse from it.

 

[buddhasummer]

Don't mean to sound like an ass but If one needs different colour or shaped buttons or needs to see what is what in order to know which is inflate and which is deflate there is a problem.

 

[Bob DBF]

Don't mean to sound like an ass but If one needs different colour or shaped buttons or needs to see what is what in order to know which is inflate and which is deflate there is a problem.

Don't ya love marketing, I spend enough time where I can't see colors and am wearing thick gloves. I was looking at the non traditional placement of the buttons and think how easy it would be to depress both buttons at the same time, especially with thick gloves. Even if I liked the wing, I'd have to change the inflator.



Bob

 

[stuartv]

I know if I were diving a single tank, AL plate, and warm enough for no wetsuit, I would only need a wing around 18 - 20# of lift capacity (less, really).

I have actually been thinking about getting a new wing just for such scenarios (well, except allowing for wearing a 3mm wetsuit).

I am seriously considering buying the DGX Gears wing. Exactly same the same as the Dive Rite Travel EXP wing. 25# lift. $199.

https://www.divegearexpress.com/dgx-gears-single-tank-wing

 

[divad]

Don't mean to sound like an ass but If one needs different colour or shaped buttons or needs to see what is what in order to know which is inflate and which is deflate there is a problem.

Yeah, if you need to see it at all, there is a problem. (not to sound like ass #2)