Elastomeric Bands

[IE_Diver]

Im saving to buy my first wing (hopefully soon) but for now im just doing my homework. i got a pretty good deal on an OMS backplate from ebay, so naturally im looking at OMS wings and harnesses to complete the package.

Ive checked out the OMS catalog in the past, but this time ive noticed something new. Elastomeric bands. from what i derived on their website the bands are used to distribute the air throughout the wing and you are able to customize the the bands to meet your trim needs.

Is this a new thing? has anyone tried this out? what did you think? is it worth the extra costs?

thanks,
Jason

 

[Web Monkey]

Im saving to buy my first wing (hopefully soon) but for now im just doing my homework. i got a pretty good deal on an OMS backplate from ebay, so naturally im looking at OMS wings and harnesses to complete the package.

Ive checked out the OMS catalog in the past, but this time ive noticed something new. Elastomeric bands. from what i derived on their website the bands are used to distribute the air throughout the wing and you are able to customize the the bands to meet your trim needs.

Is this a new thing? has anyone tried this out? what did you think? is it worth the extra costs?

thanks,
Jason

It's a fix for a problem that doesn't exist, and introduces problems you don't need to have.

• A properly sized wing just doesn't have that much fabric that you need to squash it up when you're not using it. If you buy a correctly sized wing, you won't need to wad up the extra fabric.
• If tight, the elastic will squeeze the air out of your wing if you get a cut or tear, while the non-elastic version will happily hold air in the non-punctured part if you tilt in the right direction.
• Oral inflation is harder.
• The elastic doesn't "distribute air" any more than the pressure from the surrounding water distributes air.
• It's an extra entanglement hazard for no extra benefit.

Terry

 

[halocline]

Uh oh, another bungied wing of death thread?

Don't worry about matching brands, just find the wing you like the best. If you're thinking of not using a STA, you'll have to match the cam band slots with the slots in the plate. I'm assuming a single tank, correct? As far as the harness goes, think about starting with a simple one piece webbing harness. A good place to buy materials for that is here: Scuba equipment, Dive gear, reefscuba.com, Manufacturer of scuba diving equipment. Buy brass hardware, stainless steel hardware, surgical tubing, latex surgical tubing, bungee cord, parachute cord, Waterborne watch bands, SEACURE mouthpieces, velcro

There are millions of threads on this forum (okay, maybe just thousands) about the advantages of using a STA vs not, and about various wings. If you post your typical weight requirements and what kind of tank(s) you're planning on diving with, you'll get lots of free advice.

 

[Web Monkey]

Uh oh, another bungied wing of death thread?

Actually not. I wasn't predicting death, just a bunch of problems that don't need to exist.

Terry

 

[divad]

naturally im looking at OMS wings and harnesses to complete the package. Jason

You don't have to do that at all. LeisurePro is selling the DiveRite standard harness for $27.00 or (if you must have it) a DR deluxe harness with quick-release buckles for $40.00. They also are selling (if you must have it) the OMS versions of the same thing for just over double that. I would look at Oxycheq wings on Golemgear.com (?). For me, the less deluxe, the less convoluted, cluttered, and silly. Less deluxe is actually more deluxe. YMMV

 

[Standingbear56]

Im saving to buy my first wing (hopefully soon) but for now im just doing my homework. i got a pretty good deal on an OMS backplate from ebay, so naturally im looking at OMS wings and harnesses to complete the package.

Ive checked out the OMS catalog in the past, but this time ive noticed something new. Elastomeric bands. from what i derived on their website the bands are used to distribute the air throughout the wing and you are able to customize the the bands to meet your trim needs.

Is this a new thing? has anyone tried this out? what did you think? is it worth the extra costs?

thanks,
Jason

Hi Jason,
OMS has offered the elastomeric bands on their wings since they have been in business, so they are not a new thing. As a matter of fact, they are one of OMSs trade marks so to speak. You will find that DIR divers will tell you to forget them while at the same time, you will see many North East wreck divers swearing by them. NASA and the Navy have also successfully used them. There is no 100% answer as to who is right or wrong. Your best bet is to try them out before you buy if at all possible. The other possibility is to order a bungee wing and try it with and without (you do NOT have to have them on the wing if you do not want to) and see which you like best. Your best bet is to check with your LDS and instructor. They can give you good advice.
Also, please remember that you do NOT need the biggest wing out there. Most people do with a max of 50 lbs with steel doubles and 30 lbs with single aluminum 80's. You do need to set up your kit according to how you plan to dive.
Any wing with 11" center holes of any brand will work with the OMS plate, so please don't limit your choices to just OMS.
If you want to follow DIR than forget the bungees - they are not part of their configuration - and that's OK also. Each side has their own reasons, and you need to find out what works best for you.

Take care,
George

 

[Web Monkey]

If you want to follow DIR than forget the bungees - they are not part of their configuration - and that's OK also. Each side has their own reasons, and you need to find out what works best for you.

I'm not DIR, however I'm a software engineer and over the years have learned that stuff you don't have, can't cause you problems.

Even though I wouldn't use a bungee because I can't think of a good reason to need one and have a bunch of reasons not to, everybody is free to use whatever makes them happy.

Terry

 

[divestoclimb]

My first wing was bungee but I just don't see the point. It was a Dive Rite and the idea was that you could use the wing with singles or doubles just by cinching down the wing more or less with the bungee. In my opinion that wing didn't work well with singles or doubles.

If you get the proper size wing for the tank(s) you'll be diving you don't need to worry about it.

[I will say though that it can be useful for adjusting trim in some cases. I have a bungee wing on order for my new rebreather because you can adjust the shape of the wing using the bands.]

 

[Standingbear56]

I'm not DIR, however I'm a software engineer and over the years have learned that stuff you don't have, can't cause you problems.

Even though I wouldn't use a bungee because I can't think of a good reason to need one and have a bunch of reasons not to, everybody is free to use whatever makes them happy.

Terry

Ahhh, freedom of choice - that's what it's all about. God Bless America!!!!

 

[IE_Diver]

All very good advice. I'll say no thanks to the bungies.