DIY BP - The Kluge

[leadweight]

To get back on track, it seems that Awap's project was partly in response to dealing with the high cost of the Pioneer wing. For divers looking for a wing that is designed for singles with a reasonable amount of lift, it is the only game in town, and rather pricey.

There has been discussion of other wings that are from the UK such as Buddy and ND X-wing. None of these are actively distributed in the US, the ones that are meant to be sold separately are 20 kg lift (not real sleek) and the purchaser is faced with the angst of having to punch holes in it.

So, that is why I think there is a market for a product that is functionally like a Pioneer, without the proprietary built-in STA, and at a lower price point. Ideally, it would have a slot cut into it to allow it to be used with an old style plastic backpack also. Kind of a home grown Buddy travel wing.

 

[MechDiver]

leadweight once bubbled...

So, that is why I think there is a market for a product that is functionally like a Pioneer, without the proprietary built-in STA, and at a lower price point. Ideally, it would have a slot cut into it to allow it to be used with an old style plastic backpack also. Kind of a home grown Buddy travel wing.

I'll agree the Halcyon wings, Pioneer and Explorer are expensive, but IMO they are worth it. Especially the Explorer.

I am not familiar with Buddy products, except by name and apparent liking by the UK, but why aren't they available in the US? It seems like other Brit products have migrated here. Is there a reason US divers won't buy/use the Buddy wings here. Seems if there was a market, they would come.

Phil

 

[leadweight]

MechDiver once bubbled...


I'll agree the Halcyon wings, Pioneer and Explorer are expensive, but IMO they are worth it. Especially the Explorer.

I am not familiar with Buddy products, except by name and apparent liking by the UK, but why aren't they available in the US? It seems like other Brit products have migrated here. Is there a reason US divers won't buy/use the Buddy wings here. Seems if there was a market, they would come.

Phil

There is no real answer to your question other than availability. All I know is that buddy has a distributor, might be in Arizona. Seems to be one of these guys who works out of his back pocket. I called once during business hours and got an answering machine. I also checked on Simply Scuba. They sell a lot of different Buddy Jackets, but not the Travel Wing. Thre is no other international mail order operation that I have run across that has them. It could be momentum, or that Halcyon and Dive Rite occupy that segment of the market in the US. Anyway, Diver magazine really loves the travel wing. I suppose that buying one in the US carries the risk that some non-standard part could break and a replacement would take weeks.

 

[Uncle Pug]

leadweight once bubbled...
Ideally, it would have a slot cut into it to allow it to be used with an old style plastic backpack also.

I haven't run across one yet... but that would be the ticket for weenie dives with a steel 72.

 

[leadweight]

for my next weenie dive. (2 weeks)

 

[Uncle Pug]

leadweight once bubbled...
for my next weenie dive. (2 weeks)

I would love a warm water weenie dive... I need a warm water weenie dive!

 

[MechDiver]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...

I would love a warm water weenie dive... I need a warm water weenie dive!

Don't they have a large aquarium in Seattle?

 

[FredT]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...

I haven't run across one yet... but that would be the ticket for weenie dives with a steel 72.

It will work with one of the "newer" SP jacket pacs, but you still need some way to attach the wing to the molded BC frame.

Punching holes in the X-wing is no problem. It has a reinforced central spine and a short 5/16 SST tube at dull red heat both punches the holes and forms a nylon grommet to keep things from unravelling in about 2 seconds per hole.

Last time I checked Bob3 on this board stocks them in Sacremento, CA at well under $200. They come complete with inflator, hoses and multiple dumps. The old '72 SP packs don't use a strap but have a SST cam band. I can get the X-wing to work on those too, but it takes a bit more effort.

The difficulty with the X-wing on a Pioneer compatible plate is that it is possible to slot a plate to accept tank straps for it, or for the DR and Halcyon wings, but not both. You just run out of metal to hold the two halfs of the plate together. I can make either a Pioneer or X-wing plate, but the Pioneer sells more over here, so that is what I stock.

FT

 

[leadweight]

My lament about the x-wing is that it has 20 kg (44#) of lift. The idea for this bag is to be more like 30#. A poor man's Pioneer or an X-wing on a diet with the 11 inch holes out of the box. Just an idea.

 

[FredT]

leadweight once bubbled...
My lament about the x-wing is that it has 20 kg (44#) of lift.

I'll have to fill mine with water and weigh it sometime. I doubt it is going to weigh a full 20 kg. I expect your target is going to be close the actual lift of this wing. It has about the same size as my 27# Halcyon.

FT