Deep Outdoors Ballistic Bladder

[Derek S]

How many wings do I actually need?

Chris

Hey Chris -

IMHO, 3 wings.

1 Pioneer or Eclipse single tank wing
1 40lb Explorer or Evo for AL doubles
1 55lb Explorer or 60lb Evo for ST doubles (if cave diving)

 

[Daylonious]

I say you only need two wings -

1 for singe tank - (35# lift)
1 for doubles (55# lift - more if you're doing lotsa cold water diving)

Anyhoo, i'm baised since that's my config. All my stuff is deepoutdoors...

D.

 

[Peo]

It depends on the cut of the wing. The H Explorer 55# wing for example is too large for double AL80s. It wraps too high around the tanks, traps gas, and the butt dump is a pain to reach. The Explorer 40# wing makes the setup a whole lot more stable. For me, it was a huge difference in double AL80s.

That said, the 40# Evolve wing seems to have enough lift and have a good shape even for double 104s. I've dove it with the 104s, a stage and two deco tanks and the lift was more than sufficient. My Explorer 55# wing gives a little bit more lift, which is nice in heavy swell, so I'll probably get a 60# Evolve too once those are back in stock, but for now the 40# seems to be good enough.

EDIT: I can't see why would want more than 55# because it's cold water. The only reason I can see for diving a larger wing is if you want extra lift on the surface, such as diving often in very nasty wave conditions.

 

[cmalinowski]

Wow, thanks guys. Right now, I have a diverite recwing, venture wing, and the hal pioneer now. I guess I can use the recwing for doubles when I start with them...

chris

 

[Derek S]

Wow, thanks guys. Right now, I have a diverite recwing, venture wing, and the hal pioneer now. I guess I can use the recwing for doubles when I start with them...

chris

I'd advise against using a recwing for doubles, they aren't really big enough to provide proper lift and trim characteristics. Yes I've dove them before, so I'm speaking from experience.

 

[cbfin]

I'd advise against using a recwing for doubles, they aren't really big enough to provide proper lift and trim characteristics. Yes I've dove them before, so I'm speaking from experience.

It is funny that you made that comment as today was my first time doubling up PST E-7 100's using my Rec wing. I thought it worked very well. At 51 lbs of lift, they are plenty "big enough" depending on your tanks and setup. The Halcyon Eclipse double wings come in 40, 55, and 70 lbs lift.

My only comment is that it has a tendancy to lay you on your back when fully inflated on the surface. Which works fine for me as that is how I surface swim. Underwater, the trim was great. I'll have to try out someone else's double rig for comparison. Luckily I happen to know a few people with Halcyon, Deep Sea Supply, and DeepOutdoors double wings.

 

[MonkSeal]

I'd advise against using a recwing for doubles, they aren't really big enough to provide proper lift and trim characteristics. Yes I've dove them before, so I'm speaking from experience.

I use recwing for doubles (usually 2 x 12 steel + 7 l Al) and I see no problems with lift.

 

[Daylonious]

You're on your back? Maybe you need to adjust your backplate and wings. Take the wings down one "notch" and lower your tanks a little....

D.

It is funny that you made that comment as today was my first time doubling up PST E-7 100's using my Rec wing. I thought it worked very well. At 51 lbs of lift, they are plenty "big enough" depending on your tanks and setup. The Halcyon Eclipse double wings come in 40, 55, and 70 lbs lift.

My only comment is that it has a tendancy to lay you on your back when fully inflated on the surface. Which works fine for me as that is how I surface swim. Underwater, the trim was great. I'll have to try out someone else's double rig for comparison. Luckily I happen to know a few people with Halcyon, Deep Sea Supply, and DeepOutdoors double wings.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Hey Chris -

IMHO, 3 wings.

1 Pioneer or Eclipse single tank wing
1 40lb Explorer or Evo for AL doubles
1 55lb Explorer or 60lb Evo for ST doubles (if cave diving)

I think a 40# Explorer also works with steels. What counts is the weight/negative bouyancy of the tanks and the diameter. X7-100's are about the same weight as AL80's. Even when you have them full, the 40# wing will give you enough lift. If you get wider tanks (8") then a 55# becomes more attractive. The 55# is just too much wing for 7" tanks (as another person already explained, it wraps too much around and traps gas, has the dump too high up for comfortable reach). So in short a 40# wing can also be used for steels, it just depends which ones.

I cant speak for Evo's since I have not tried them.

 

[roakey]

I think the "patened internal compression system" might equate to "bungee wings of death" but since they are internal, they may not pose the increased drag that seems to be the main concern.

Anyone have any opinions/advice on this bladder? Is it DIR compliant?

Since you asked straight up if they're DIR compliant the answer is no.

The reason is that any kind of compression system, internal or external, is unnecessary from a DIR standpoint. If it's unnecessary, all it adds is an additional failure point or points with no benefit.

Adding failure points with zero benefit is the antithesis of DIR.

Roak

Ps. If anyone wants to discuss if bungies add failure points or whatever, take it to any of the dozens of bungie wings discussions that already exist on the board (please don't start yet another thread!). Don't discuss it here. This is the DIR forum.