Gusset on the Trek Wing

[DrSteve]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16053&item=7158785277&rd=1

Here's a pic of a rig similar to my wife's. The clips are best as I can tell original DR equipment - and you can see how they don't clip to the plate, but to the end corner areas of the wing to minimize 'wing wrap' without the gusset system. Looks like DR abandoned this in favor of the gusset system about the same time they changed the name from Jr Wing to the much more macho Trek Wing.

It's really fairly simple, and could be done as a DIY effort. What's nice about my wife's rig is you don't have to futz with it to change from single to double tanks other than removing the single tank cam bands - you leave the clips & straps in place instead of fiddling with a gusset.

It looks pretty much like the Zeagle Ranger set up. I have to say the so-called gusset system seems a pretty good system. The bladder isn't bungied up to an extreme and I have made sure I can inflate it orally and it's no harder than without the gusset tightened.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

I can't comment on the Zeagle Ranger, as I've never owned or used one. The closest similarity I've seen is the wing Divers Supply has for 45 lb lift in their Sea Elite line, and the clips on the lower corner edges of the wings for straps that attach with rear d-rings on the harness. Like a really short pair of their 'tek stabilizing bands', but not designed to encircle a portion of the wing / bladder. But mounted lower on the bladder than on the Sea Elite version.

http://www.diverssupplyusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=16023

 

[metaldector]

I appreciated the photo WarmWaterDiver gave of the wing with the clips. I bought such a wing (ebay) about a year ago and dive it all the time. But, I wondered what these clips were for? I sent an e-mail to DiveRite with close up photos and asked the question. Their answer was less than insiteful. "Could be to attach side mount tanks to?" was their response. I thought, Gee you guy made the thing, how is it you don't know how it is supposed to be used? The last suggestion from DiveRite was if I don't like the clips, cut them off. I figured either DiveRite has someone answering e-mails that isn't knowledgable or they don't keep very good records of what they build.
R

 

[DrSteve]

Gee you guy made the thing, how is it you don't know how it is supposed to be used?[/FONT] The last suggestion from DiveRite was if I don't like the clips, cut them off. I figured either DiveRite has someone answering e-mails that isn't knowledgable or they don't keep very good records of what they build.
R

I think it depends who you talk to. The first time I called DR I got someone who knew their wings inside and out. Great help to me. The next time I got a bozo who, although helpful, couldn't tell me how to set up the gusset beyond "You'll know when it is right."

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

I appreciated the photo WarmWaterDiver gave of the wing with the clips. I bought such a wing (ebay) about a year ago and dive it all the time. But, I wondered what these clips were for? I sent an e-mail to DiveRite with close up photos and asked the question. Their answer was less than insiteful. "Could be to attach side mount tanks to?" was their response. I thought, Gee you guy made the thing, how is it you don't know how it is supposed to be used? The last suggestion from DiveRite was if I don't like the clips, cut them off. I figured either DiveRite has someone answering e-mails that isn't knowledgable or they don't keep very good records of what they build.
R

No problem - that's where I see the value of boards / communities like this - knowledge exchange without commercial requirements for such exchange. The advantage I see of the strap & clip system is no change in lift capacity results from their use, unlike the gusset cord system. If one is concerned in reducing lift capacity via use of a gusset cord, this earlier design doesn't appear to me to have that issue. And, once clipped, doesn't need to be changed for use with double vs. single tanks.

If you'd like some photos of the complete system, PM me with your external e-mail address, and I can send you some pics if that would be helpful. I have no doubt trying to get the mating straps from Dive Rite these days would be a more arduous task than any pursued by Indiana Jones - but the Divers Supply Tek Stabilizing Bands could maybe be adapted to replicate the original system's function. I don't know for sure.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

So this might sound stupid as the gusset was touted to me as being the greatest innovation. But here are my questions...
To prevent tacoing you tighten the gusset correct?
Tightening the gusset restricts how much air you can put in the wing...that is it make it effectively smaller lift capacity. Correct? (If not it certainley seems that way)
So what's the purpose of anyone using singles purchasing a Trek wing if you have to tighten the gusset for optimum use...means I have 5-10lbs of unusable wing!

Thanks!

Just checking - yep, that's what I thought I read in post #1 - hence my posts on the straps as an alternative.

But, looks like the gusset cord system gained significant popularity by the time post #11 was made.

It looks pretty much like the Zeagle Ranger set up. I have to say the so-called gusset system seems a pretty good system. The bladder isn't bungied up to an extreme and I have made sure I can inflate it orally and it's no harder than without the gusset tightened.

So, have a great time with your new wing - I saw your other thread stating your inflator hose and manual showed up, so you should be set.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

I appreciated the photo WarmWaterDiver gave of the wing with the clips. I bought such a wing (ebay) about a year ago and dive it all the time. But, I wondered what these clips were for? I sent an e-mail to DiveRite with close up photos and asked the question. Their answer was less than insiteful. "Could be to attach side mount tanks to?" was their response. I thought, Gee you guy made the thing, how is it you don't know how it is supposed to be used? The last suggestion from DiveRite was if I don't like the clips, cut them off. I figured either DiveRite has someone answering e-mails that isn't knowledgable or they don't keep very good records of what they build.
R

Metaldetector,

I Googled a bit and found a link with the original Dive Rite verbiage still incact.

http://www.stingraydivers.com/catalog/catalog-diverite.html

And, in the lower right-hand column of this page it's mentioned, under "Buoyancy".

http://www.lizardland.co.uk/sidemount.htmlhttp://www.stingraydivers.com/catalog/catalog-diverite.html

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

Hey, I finally found the reference to these straps or their modern day equivalent in Dive Rite's sidemounting kit - they're called 'Trek Wing Limiting Strap' and the manual refers directly to its use when sidemounting. The ones we have on the Jr. Wing are effective whether sidemounting or not, and no bungee / gusset is incorporated. Instead, the two male clip ends are attached to rear lower rings on the Transpac harness in the setup we have. Anyway, this can be added to the Trek wings that also have gusset control cords too evidently, and can still be purchased in the Sidemounting Kit. Dive Rite Express lists the whole kit at $75. Metaldetector, I guess this goes to show how variable customer service can be sometimes - I've had better luck with getting my questions answered at Dive Rite Express than I have through Dive Rite directly recently.

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/transpac.shtml

Check out page 5 of 8 of the manual - link below.

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/library/manuals/sidemount.pdf

Dr. Steve, is this what you meant when you posted your opinion this was similar to the Zeagle Ranger? If so, looks like Zeagle has a good system too.

 

[DrSteve]

Dr. Steve, is this what you meant when you posted your opinion this was similar to the Zeagle Ranger? If so, looks like Zeagle has a good system too.

It's exactly the same as the Zeagle Ranger. In fact the whole gusset system is almost identical to my wife's Zeagle Zena. The only difference being the gusset in her case does not restrict around the "neck" part of the wing.

Having now used the set up for 33 dives in Bonaire (and the Ranger for 3 years and 70 dives prior to that) I honestly do not believe the Trek Wing/BP combo offers anything over the buoyancy characteristics of the Z. Ranger. It does offer a more streamlined profile without the cummerbund and integrated weight pockets (my big complaint with the Ranger being the bulk around the waist), and better distribution of weight with the plate, but by the same token the bottom of the plate tends to lift away from your back due to the buoyancy in the tips of the horseshoe (and I had the waist strap very tight) and sometimes the gusset appears a little too tight around the neck of the horseshoe and causes you to have to tip slightly from one side or the other to balance your buoyancy, but the whole thing is to have the gusset tight to avoid tacoing! It's a decent system, but one I think that Oxycheq may have solved in a superior way (but I'll let someoen with experience of both systems comment on that)

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

The sidemounting kit clips for the Jr. Wings are at the lower corners, unlike the Divers Supply wing, and I guess the current Trek wing doesn't have them far enough out in the far corners. I can understand why DR changed the wing name, for marketing appeal, but not why they changed the design. The Jr. Wing clips work extremely well on preventing 'wing wrap'. The sidemount kit's kinda pricey at $75 though, just to get something to help reduce wrap.