Diverite Rec Wing and Singles

[dkatchalov]

Hi

Recently bought a DR rec wing to use with singles - not ready to use doubles yet, however common opinion was that this wing can be used on both singles and doubles.

Now that I have read all the "single wing for singles, etc." threads on here I am starting to doubt my decision.

My question is - is the DR Rec wing appropriate for single steel tank cold sea water diving (i.e. wearing 7mm suit + 5mm vest, boots, etc). I am planning to switching to doubles but for another 6 months or so.

I have put together the harness and wing yesterday and have tightened the gusset control to its tightest (uppermost) position. According to a few people (and DR), this should help avoid the dreaded "taco" effect. Is this true?

Just wanted to get a coupld of opinions from those who either dived this wing on singles or have seen others in the water using them. Have I made a big mistake? Is it likely there will be a lot of drag in the water with this wing even with the GCS fully tightened?

Any input is much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Nemrod]

I have one and it is to big IMO, it has super Taco effect.

Too bad there is not a wing that has a "ziplock" removable/expandable center gusset that will allow the wing to go from wide to narrow. I know this can work--within limits-- because I took an old SeaTec wing and spit the "tank" panel area and then folded it over removing nearly four inches of width from the cneter panel. The effect is huge upon the way the wing works in the water. It still tacos but not nearly as much. Imagine a fold over center panel with a velcro zipper that allows the center section to expand for small doubles and shrink for a single. Feel free to use my idea, just toss in free scuba gear for life or somehting--lol.

N

 

[dkatchalov]

I have one and it is to big IMO, it has super Taco effect.

Too bad there is not a wing that has a "ziplock" removable/expandable center gusset that will allow the wing to go from wide to narrow. I know this can work--within limits-- because I took an old SeaTec wing and spit the "tank" panel area and then folded it over removing nearly four inches of width from the cneter panel. The effect is huge upon the way the wing works in the water. It still tacos but not nearly as much. Imagine a fold over center panel with a velcro zipper that allows the center section to expand for small doubles and shrink for a single. Feel free to use my idea, just toss in free scuba gear for life or somehting--lol.

N

Is that super taco even with GCS fully tightened?

What wing would you reccomend then for singles? is the DR venture appropriate?

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

I've got a rec wing that I've done many single tank dives on and it works. It's not the best solution and if I did things over again I might've gotten a single tank wing. It tacos, but it's good enough for me to put up with.

 

[Nemrod]

I am sure I will get jumped on for playing favorites but as far as I am concerned and no I have not used every wing or even the Rec wing (but twice -liberated from ebay) but one of the best singles wing out there is the OxyCheq Mach V. The Mach V is the opposite of taco effect--it has none and as far as I have observed it is the only wing that I have used or seen used that has no taco effect. None in that there is so little it is of no consequence and this is because of it's extreme narrow profile.

As to the GCS, I might not have had it fully tight. I will look at that next time I dive it, thing is, with the Mach V I probably will not, I got the rec wing for doubles sets I rarely dive anymore. N

 

[cool_hardware52]

Nemrod,

Does this DSS Torus 26 look like a taco?

Tobin

 

[dkatchalov]

That didn't take long!

Hope you have your bullet-proof vest on, Nem.

Does anyone have photos like that of the rec wing taco - so I can see how bad it really is?

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Don't worry about it. Go out and enjoy your new wing! If it turns out that you want another one later there are plenty of other good ones from which to choose.

 

[shurite7]

I use to have the TransPac II and rec wing and thought it was very comfortable and easy to use, whether in a 3mm, 5mm or 2pc 7mm, drysuit, AL or AA tank.

Then I switched to a back plate and small wing. What a difference. The rec wing is great for doubles, but I will not use it for singles. To much bulk and to much lift, even with a dry suit & steel tank.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Having owned a Rec Wing and dove it with both singles and doubles my opinion is that it works for both but is not great for either one.

When diving a single tank without the bungee installed and tight, it has serious taco effect issues trapping gas in the edges of the taco. However with the bungee installed and tight enough to reduce (not eliminate) the taco effect, it still tends to trap air during the dive if you roll right or left, only this time due to the effects of the bungees themselves creating little air pockets. This is most pronounced late in the dive with little air in the wing and is less problematic when the wing has a little more air in it.

When diving doubles with a Rec Wing and a backplate, the narrow profile of the Rec Wing is problematic as some of the air cell ends up sandwiched between the tanks and the plate and it is not able to fully inflate. Consequently you will not get as much lift as is advertised. So...it works for smaller, lighter doubles but not for larger, heavier doubles and stage bottles.

It probably works fine with a Transpac (but a Transpac in my opinon is not God's gift to divers in terms of stability with doubles, even with stabilizing plates). To be really useful with doubles and a backplate, the wing needs to be slightly wider, along the lines of the Dive Rite Classic wing.

In short the Rec Wing worked fine doing dual duty for a couple years but personally now that I can, I much prefer to use separate wings - a 40 lb Halycon Pioneer for singles and a 55 lb Halycon Explorer wing for doubles and the Rec Wing mostly sits in the closet mostly.