Horseshoe or donut wing ???

[Safety Stop]

What's the big difference between horseshoe or donut wing.... except the shape ???

 

[drbill]

Welcome to ScubaBoard. As a new member, you may not be aware of the board's search function. This is an issue that has been discussed quite a bit in previous threads. Try a search using the two key words and I'm sure you will find plenty of opinions! Enjoy your time here.

 

[evil_xander]

Function wise, no difference.

Horseshoe wings require a tad more effort to vent completely if you want to use only the bottom dump valve (it is left, on the internal part of the wing).

You first have to get the air to the highest point by elevating your torso, shoulders up, and then roll a bit to the right plus do a butt up so that the lower left part of the wing is the highest point. Basically, you shift air from right side all the way to the bottom left part of the wing. It does make a funny sound during the process. I'm sorry nobody yet filmed me do this maneuver as it does look like I have convulsions of some sort.

With donut wings, air moves also on the bottom arc, not only in the top arc, so it's somewhat easier to use only the lower left dump valve.

Not that it is much of an issue anyway, plus you always have the inflator dump valve, as with regular BC.

More important thing is to select a wing that's the smallest possible size for your type of diving then to make a selection based on the shape.

 

[njd3rph]

My personal recomendation is horseshoe rather than donut as this provides for a more streamlined profile. I use an OMS (actually 3, two sizes for my doubles and one for my single setup), which I love and highly recommend.

 

[halocline]

On a small, single tank wing, you have to be almost upside down for air to flow under the tank, so the horseshoe/donut comparison is highly over-rated. Essentially both wings function as horseshoe 99% of the time. I believe the raging controversy is based on the fact that most small singles wings are donuts, and most horseshoes are larger doubles or "combo" wings. This invites an unfair comparison. I have a friend with the DSS 20lb horseshoe wing, and it really hugs the tank, plus it doesn't push the tank up against the cam bands when fully inflated. I'd use one in a second if I didn't already have a travel wing.

 

[wunat]

Horseshoe wings require a tad more effort to vent completely if you want to use only the bottom dump valve (it is left, on the internal part of the wing).

In my case, I prefer to use the bottom dump valve. For this reason, I personally prefer the donut wing. But if you are using the inflator to dump air most of the time, it probably makes no difference.

 

[evil_xander]

In my case, I prefer to use the bottom dump valve. For this reason, I personally prefer the donut wing. But if you are using the inflator to dump air most of the time, it probably makes no difference.

I learned to handle the horseshue wing, but I also prefer to use the bottom dump valve.

Weird, but you get used to it.

 

[Safety Stop]

Maybee I should start to use the bottom dump valve of my wing