Horseshoe or O wing?

[debitthis]

I am moving on from my good old BCD. For now I am just going to do single tank (AL80) diving with a SS backplate. What is the difference between the horseshoe style or all around O style wing - considering I'll be getting a low lift capacity 20~40 lb. wing?

 

[Offshore]

I think the selling point of the o-style is that when you are horizontal or slightly head down and need to vent air, that "o" allows one valve to release all the air that has ascended to the lower half of your wing, while in a horseshoe you would either need two release valves (and two free hands to pull them), or some pivoting around to get the air from the ventless side of your wing to the other...

 

[jeckyll]

... in practice, if you are weighted properly you won't have much air in your wing. This means that the wing will 'cradle' the tank and you will not have a continuous donut filled with air. You'll have air in each side of the wing if you are trimmed out.

You'll need to go a head down to get the air out (or head up depending on where you vent of course).

You can kind of see this here (the blue on the Pioneer wing shows up quite well)

 

[BarryNL]

I think the fact that no-one can really agree on which is best is a pretty good indication that it's not very important and either will be fine.

 

[Jarrett]

I think the fact that no-one can really agree on which is best is a pretty good indication that it's not very important and either will be fine.

What a great insight. It applies to so many things on this board. Thanks.

 

[PerroneFord]

On a small single.. you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference. On big wings for doubles, I can tell the difference easily.

 

[Damselfish]

I haven't tried a BP/W, but when I bought my last BC I tried back inflates with both Us and Os. I found I hated a U, largely because I'm more of a butt-dumper than shoulder-dumper.

 

[wmspdi]

I have a Dive Rite Venture wing ("O" style) for singles and a REC wing ("U" style) for doubles. I also use the REC wing with a single tank (bungeed down of course) when I dive with my teenage son (he uses my Venture wing on his Transpac). I really can not tell much of a difference between the two style of wings. However my last BC was a Seaquest Balance (back inflate) and before that a Seaquest Spectrum (jacket style). Since both of these BCs were "U" type bladders I just naturally learned to go a little verticle and lift my left shoulder to vent from my inflater hose. I also dive dry, but only use enough gas in my dry suit to manage the squeeze, and use my wing for control. I think the differences between the 2 styles are more personal preference.

 

[*Floater*]

Here's my take: If you are a new to backplates and wings and don't know which one to get then get a donut.

Reason: Some people prefer donuts, others say it doesn't matter, but you find very few people (on these forums at least) who hate donuts and think horseshoes are superior, so just just go with the donut in case you happen to be in the first group but just don't know it yet.

 

[debitthis]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will go with a donut style.