Deep sea wing

[ams511]

Customer service from Oxycheq has been reported to often be non existent but as long as you buy from a reputable dealer you should have no issues if any problems arise. I'd suggest you contact Cave Adventurers or ScubaToys both offer great prices and great service.

DSS on the other hand has a reputation for phenomenal service.

People often repeat things they hear on SB often and a reputation develops which is often undeserved.

Oxycheq and DSS have different business models. Oxycheq primarily sells through dealers while DSS primarily sells direct. So if there is a problem Oxycheq requires you to go through a dealer while with DSS you call direct. Think about it, if there is a problem with your new car you bring it back to the dealer not call the manufacturer.

There has been posts in the past from people who had problems with DSS's service but they seem to get forgotten or deleted. Often the people making the posts get attacked.

BTW, Scubatoys is no longer an Oxycheq dealer and Apeks is now selling Oxycheq wings.

---------- Post added February 28th, 2014 at 05:53 PM ----------

I do not like wings with the center inflator connection. It just does not work for me. However, if the price is good and it is in the condition you expect it could be a good deal for you. N

You should mention why it doesn't work for you. If it is a double-hose issue that does not affect most divers.

 

[rhwestfall]

You should mention why it doesn't work for you. If it is a double-hose issue that does not affect most divers.

ScubaPro MK-17 DIN, turned 180 degrees (diaphragm down) to make it compact... (DSS plate thus no STA - very compact). I know it will not work with my Kraken.

Function is "fine", but it gets in the way during assembly. Threading the stage in is a "battle" with the elbow...

I dive tall (HP120) tanks, but I am also 6'-7" tall, so they are not set high to avoid my legs....

I own 3 DSS plates, weight plates, glide-harness-adapters, and other misc. DSS stuff. I just am not in love with the LCD30 wing... Functional, but not a favorite...

 

[TSandM]

Oxycheq has, in the past, not supported its dealers when Oxycheq equipment proved faulty. I have never heard this about their wings, though.

The Oxycheq/DSS battles go back to my earliest times on ScubaBoard -- whatever happened to Stephen Ash anyway? -- and are like Coke and Pepsi to some degree. I think both companies make good gear. I think both company owners can be stiff-necked and difficult at times. I have never heard of any behavior from DSS that I thought was unethical, and I was personally involved in the light fiasco that put me off Oxycheq permanently.

Both wings will work. The price on the DSS is very good.

 

[NAM001]

My thoughts exactly. I now use oxycheq 32 wing for the hose location.

One thing to look at is where the LPI hose attaches. If it is in the center of the wing (some DSS wings do this, and perhaps others too), it conflicts with the first stage/tank valve. That is an "inconvenience" that you should evaluate if it is okay with what you want.....

DSS wings are built well, but it is something I dislike in the one I own...

 

[tomfcrist]

Oxycheq has, in the past, not supported its dealers when Oxycheq equipment proved faulty. I have never heard this about their wings, though.

The Oxycheq/DSS battles go back to my earliest times on ScubaBoard -- whatever happened to Stephen Ash anyway? -- and are like Coke and Pepsi to some degree. I think both companies make good gear. I think both company owners can be stiff-necked and difficult at times. I have never heard of any behavior from DSS that I thought was unethical, and I was personally involved in the light fiasco that put me off Oxycheq permanently.

Both wings will work. The price on the DSS is very good.

Stiff necked and difficult? Tobin? Noooo

 

[Nemrod]

You should mention why it doesn't work for you. If it is a double-hose issue that does not affect most divers.

You are making assumptions. I did not say anything about a double hose regulator. Yes, it is worst with a double hose but I do not like it with any regulator of any sort and for reasons similar as KWS and rhwestfall have stated, the central location interferes with my MkV in the down position and it interferes with valves and it interferes with my neck because the hose rubs against the left side of it and the hose has to be longer than it would if it was located on the left side and it does not route and lay with my LP inflator hose as I would like. And in general I do not like it. I stated my opinion and I will stay with it.

Does this satisfy your request for a description of why I do not like centrally located inflator hoses on wing style BCs? I can come up with some more reasons if you thinks these are insufficient.

N

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I prefer wings that have a 360 degree zipper so I can unzip it to run a garden hose inside to clean it out well. I also like access so that I can fix the bladder if I ever need to. In fact I did have to patch the bladder on my Oxycheq 40# Mach 5 once. I just checked it recently and it's just fine.
I also like to have the inflator hose off to the left side so it doesn't interfere with the first stage and it runs right onto the left side shoulder strap fluidly.
I don't care about foldability for travel because I don't travel.
I also don't like built in tank stability gizmos because I don't need one with the plate I use.
My Oxycheq had roll control cushions but I cut them off. Turns out they were nothing more than pieces of fuel line hose sewn into pouches.
One thing with Oxycheq, the factory customer service is almost non existent. If you get one realize that you will be on your own. However there is not really much to wings. The inflator is a generic model available through Trident (any LDS can order parts)
and the dump valve is servicable by anyone.
We already went through the bladder (self repair).
One thing with wings, if they 'ain't broke don't mess with them. Everybody I know who gets weird about their wings and is always fussing with them seems to have problems. I never do anything but rinse them when I get home and am running on 8 years now with no trouble with any of the moving parts.

The other nice thing about a 360 loop zipper is you can unzip it to dry it out nicely. With a sewn shut model you can't do that.

 

[buddhasummer]

People often repeat things they hear on SB often and a reputation develops which is often undeserved.

Oxycheq and DSS have different business models. Oxycheq primarily sells through dealers while DSS primarily sells direct. So if there is a problem Oxycheq requires you to go through a dealer while with DSS you call direct. Think about it, if there is a problem with your new car you bring it back to the dealer not call the manufacturer.

There has been posts in the past from people who had problems with DSS's service but they seem to get forgotten or deleted. Often the people making the posts get attacked.

BTW, Scubatoys is no longer an Oxycheq dealer and Apeks is now selling Oxycheq wings.

---------- Post added February 28th, 2014 at 05:53 PM ----------



You should mention why it doesn't work for you. If it is a double-hose issue that does not affect most divers.

I know but they still have a limited stock of wings going cheap.

 

[ams511]

Does this satisfy your request for a description of why I do not like centrally located inflator hoses on wing style BCs?

Yes it does, thank you for sharing. I am sorry you took offense but maybe the OP has the same circumstances as you. A MK-5 is an older reg but there is nothing unique about the shape. It is the same as a MK-25 or a DST.

When I get a chance I will check it out. I have a DSS 18 that I bought for a travel rig but I only dove it a few times, I think I was using a MK-16 first stage and did not notice any issues. But a MK-16 is more compact than a MK-5.

---------- Post added March 1st, 2014 at 02:33 PM ----------

I know but they still have a limited stock of wings going cheap.

In some funky colors too. LOL. But if they are not a dealer then they will not be able to help you with service.

 

[Jax]

Love my DSS, and the manufacturer support has been awesome!