Eclipse vs Pioneer wings

[Uncle Pug]

I have had several Pioneer wings as have three of my buddies and none of us have had any trouble with leaks.

My current Pioneer wing (27#) does not use an STA and I have zero problem locking down a PST steel 104 so that it is rock solid stable.

I have seen the Eclipse (a buddy has one) and while I am sure it is a nice wing I see no benefit to having the extra pooochiness of a inner bag in such a small wing. The thing I like about the 27# Pioneer is the way it presents so little drag.

 

[Shovelbum]

The STA-less design has been controversial ever since it came out...

I had wondered about that, I haven't seen the STA-less design in person, but it makes sense.

There are also concerns about the Eclipse and it's double-bag design. Salt-water divers know that salt crystals trapped at the interstice between the layers works on the fabric like sandpaper, grinding it down. Heavy rinsing is required. As a freshwater diver (living in Chicago and all) this probably won't be much of an issue...

This is interesting to me, but yes, it doesn't seem to matter much as I'm planning on making the majority of my dives in freshwater now. Up until a month ago it would have mattered as I was living about 100mi from the Gulf Coast. Not so much of a worry in the Great Lakes though.

Welcome to the board, by the way. Always good to hear from another Great Lakes diver, especially one in my own back yard.

Thanks, I haven't yet done any diving in Lake Michigan, as I just relocated here, but I'm looking forward to getting out there as soon as I get the job situation stable. And thanks to everyone for the responses, you've all helped out a lot.
Tom

 

[UWSojourner]

I have seen the Eclipse ... I see no benefit to having the extra pooochiness of a inner bag in such a small wing.

Is this your opinion with the Oxycheq too? They have their "Signature" series and their "normal" one.