First equipment purchase & BP/Wings ?

[divernva]

... I picked up a brand new 55#wing for $60. It wasn't Halcyon, but it was a hard offer to pass up. A little big for singles, but a good investment for the future.

The BP/wing is extremely flexible and travels well. I'm pretty sure I could cram the BP and Pioneer wing into my laptop case (with the laptop). But then again, I'd probably prefer to bring my regs on board.

If you're getting the Scout from your LDS, drive a hard bargain. You can probably swindle some free airfills out of them.

Good luck with your decision. I vote for the BP/wing.
Ken

 

[NuttyGambler]

One thing I did notice in my calcations that I included a STA with the BP. With the Pioneer I avoid that cost.

How bout the Dive Rite Rec and Trek wings. Is it possible to dive without a STA with them? I was told you could by just tightening eveything down good, but not sure how that would work with that hump in the middle and nothing else. I figure that something can be fabbed for this though too that is simpler and doesn't put the tank further away from the BP. Maybe I will have something to contribute in the future one this.

As I wake this morning, I'm now leaning to the Dive Rite wings one of the two above. Save the $100 and not look like I think I'm some pro diver when I stop in for a rec dive in Mexico.

The Rec has 50lbs Where the Trek has 40, From Dive Rite it appears the Trek is for more singles and AL doubles, where the Rec is more Doubles and occational singles. Is this 10lbs going to make much difference if the only time one uses double ST would be with a 6.5-7mm wetsuit? (I don't know much about dry, but do realize that would make a diff) IE I now am leaning towards the Trek.

BTW: Thanks everone for the great replies and debate.

 

[Wendy]

Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to use those dive-rite wings for a single tank! I dived with the dive-rite trek wing with a single tank befor I got my doubles and it was a big mistake. The wings are too big and will wrap around the tank like a bun on a hotdog. You'll look like an angel swimming thru the water with that extra wing flapping in the breeze. Plus the rear dump is very hard to use when you are diving these wings with a single tank. It can be done, but only after alot of practice and a few nearly out of control rides to the surface. And you will need a STA for these wings with a single tank, otherwise there is no way to connect everything together (unless I'm missing something on mine).

If you don't want the Halcyon stuff, dive-rite does make single tank wings, but I think you should go for the 27# or 36# pioneer wing.

I know that comfort and fit are the most important things to look for, and that you'll be diving this set up and not me and I should only want for you to be happy, but if you go with the BC I might end up being the first to tell you "I told you so" once you realize you should spent alittle more money and went with a bp/harness/wing set up.

 

[NuttyGambler]

So you own a set of Trek wings? The new style?

http://www.diverite.com/products/mbs/trek.htm

"Now Trek Wings are better than ever. Our newly improved Trek Wings include a gusset-control cord, similar to that found on Rec, Dual Rec, Super and SuperOne Wings. This enables users to better control the shape and lift characteristics of the air cell, and helps prevent Trek Wings from wrapping around the sides of tanks, when the air cell is used with single cylinders."

The only single set I see of their's is the travel one.
The trek only has 40lbs where many suggest the 36 Pioneer, that is only 4lbs diff. Is there just a big design diff?

Again thanks for your input, it is great to learn before jumping off the boat.

 

[O-ring]

So I see they are using "gusset control cord" as a gentle euphemism for BWOD now...interesting...

My 2 cents...regardless of what you get for a backplate, STA or no STA, harness, whatever...spend a couple bucks extra and get the Halcyon wings...that one product is where Halcyon shines...

As an extra bonus (if you don't have a local dealer you trust) you can get it from EE and return it within 30 days for your money back if you don't like it...all you pay is shipping.

--Eric

 

[NuttyGambler]

HE double hockey sticks with it. I'm doing it right.

I am going with the FredT regular thinkness SS plate (or is the 9lb the way to go here for warm water too), his harness kit, and a Pioneer 27lb wing.

Apex ATX50
ATX40 Oco
Cobra Console

Gonna also buy a Pro Ear mask. As not getting swimmers ear sounds like a great deal to me.

Have Pro Force Fins and boots
Thin wetsuit, (will need to look into a cold water one now too.)
Let's dive.

When I want to go duel tanks, I will have more to buy anyways so a duel wing at that point will not be a big dea. Maybe I'll find a $65 wing too someday.

Only thing is it appears I have to order all this stuff from many diff places.

Again thanks everyone for your comments, I'm sure others will find this thread interesting in the future too.

 

[Wendy]

Glad to see that you are making, IMHO, the right choice in wings. Yes that is the wing that I have minus the bondage bungees. I may be into bondage, but not when it comes to my diving. lol...I like that, it may be my new catch phrase.

I don't know that you really need that Pro ear mask thing. I've seen someone diving with one once and it cracked me up. If you don't want to get swimmers ear just use trimix....equal part hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and alcohol. Or you can buy the swimmer's ear drops from the drug store and just put a drop or two in each ear after you dive, it dries them right up. I never get swimmer's ear from diving...and I dive alot. The only time I have had an ear problem is after I dive Orange Grove Sink in the summer time. It gets an algae bloom in it during the summer, like diving in 3' vis of pea soup, must be bacteria in the algae that causes me (and a few friends) ear infections. I am firm beleiver that you shouldn't spend money on things that look neat, cool, or that are trendy, and to me, that ear mask thing falls into that category.

 

[O-ring]

Me thinks you made the right decision...

I am going with the FredT regular thinkness SS plate (or is the 9lb the way to go here for warm water too), his harness kit, and a Pioneer 27lb wing.

Apex ATX50
ATX40 Oco
Cobra Console

You may have to order from a lot of places (I did LeisurePro, SimplyScuba, DiveInn, my LDS, ReefScuba, Extreme Exposure, etc. etc.) but you will be amazed at how much more you will learn and how much your equipment expertise will improve by assembling it all yourself. If you get stuck, just ask questions on this board, or ask an experienced diver and/or your LDS and you should be fine...

Wendy, you didn't mention the bondage fetish before...

 

[Starfish]

If you are anywhere near the Twin Cities and want the oppotunity to touch and feel a BP & Wing you can go where I went:

Scuba Dive & Travel
4741 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612.823.7210

www.scubadiveandtravel.com

The owner, Richard, is a cave diver (not MN) and very knowledgeable about BP & W as well as the local lake diving, as well as Crosby Mine in MN and Lake Wazee in WI.

Got mine there and love it.

 

[Jeblis]

Originally posted by Tavi


When I dive, I spend most (as much as possible) of my time under water. under water horizontal works best.

At the surface you can get vertical just don't put a lot of air in the wing and lean back , or you canlay right up on top of it on your back, like a big chaise lounge........ah relaxing.

if your boat diving, good navigation skills pay off. if you come up at the back of the boat, you don't need to be bobbing around on the surface.

Ok I've read about at the surface (less air, lean back) and I understand that most of the time underwater you want to be horizontal ( or lounging on your back), but can you even get vertical (underwater) easily with wings? Sometimes this is just cool.