Lightweight Doubles Wing Suggestion?

[ezinternet]

I'd like some help on selecting a wing specifically for double AL80s or smaller.

For single tank AL80 I use the OxyCheq 30# single wing. I'm very happy with the trim, size and the circular airflow.

I was playing around with independent double AL67s using an OxyCheq 50#wing. (The motivation for independent doubles is to extend my bottom times so I can buddy with a friend that dives a Draeger Dolphin. I started with the smaller 67s to save my back while experimenting with setup).

I did look at, but not dive, both the DiveRite Rec and Trek but decided to try the Oxycheq double wing. I was leery of the DR bungie, and I thought the Oxycheq would trim better.

The main problem I had was the tendency for the air in the, fairly empty, wing to taco and slosh from left to right whenever I came off horizontal. It was almost undive-able - pulling me around whenever I rotated on-axis.

This was my first-ever doubles experience. Is "sloshing" a characteristic of a doubles wing? Because it's wider? Because they aren't a "donut"? Or maybe I sloshed because I had an oversized (for my needs) one?

Is anyone diving wings with a lite setup and moderate doubles?

Thanks for your thoughts!
-Ez

(Background: I'm a just-converted BP/wing user. I just returned from diving in Bonaire with a variety of BP piece parts that I sampled/evaluated and learned how to use. I had a 3# Gary Hoadley plate with a Koplin lite STA and about 8# on the belt (with a 3mm suit). My Zeagle BC is now destined for the closet and won't be making many more trips to the Carribbean.

Also, sincere THANKS to all the members here, experienced and novice. As a lurker using "search" most of my questions were anticipated, and the answers were richly informative! Saved me from having to bother y'all with the same things all over again

 

[Boogie711]

I have a light doubles wing (a Deep Outdoors 40 lb wing) that has maybe 20 freshwater dives on it. I'm still trying to sell it... let me know if you're interested.

 

[nyresq]

Makes very nice 35 lb and 45 lb non bungeed wings, good price and the bag-air cell design seems to hold up better then the single layer cell does. I won't mention anything about the 45lb bungeed wing except to say that they do make one, that in itself is another firefight I won't start.

for double AL80s I'd go with the 35 lb wing.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I think you are just not used to diving with doubles and having a wing on your back. If I was diving double aluminum cylinders, I would be diving the Oxycheq 50# wing...

 

[ElectricZombie]

It could be that a 50lb wing is too much for AL67 doubles or you're just not used to diving doubles yet.

I use a Halcyon Exploror 55lb wing with AL80s and have never had any problems with air movement, etc.

 

[Tom Winters]

"Lightweight Doubles" --> Now there's a definitive oxymoron. I use a Dive Rite Classic Wing with my twinned aluminum 80's. Way too much extra lift for diving in southern Florida, but I got it for cheap on eBay. On the surface, there's enough lift that I could put a small outboard motor on the back of the rig.

 

[Genesis]

I'd like some help on selecting a wing specifically for double AL80s or smaller.

For single tank AL80 I use the OxyCheq 30# single wing. I'm very happy with the trim, size and the circular airflow.

I was playing around with independent double AL67s using an OxyCheq 50#wing. (The motivation for independent doubles is to extend my bottom times so I can buddy with a friend that dives a Draeger Dolphin. I started with the smaller 67s to save my back while experimenting with setup).

I did look at, but not dive, both the DiveRite Rec and Trek but decided to try the Oxycheq double wing. I was leery of the DR bungie, and I thought the Oxycheq would trim better.

The main problem I had was the tendency for the air in the, fairly empty, wing to taco and slosh from left to right whenever I came off horizontal. It was almost undive-able - pulling me around whenever I rotated on-axis.

This was my first-ever doubles experience. Is "sloshing" a characteristic of a doubles wing? Because it's wider? Because they aren't a "donut"? Or maybe I sloshed because I had an oversized (for my needs) one?

Is anyone diving wings with a lite setup and moderate doubles?

Yep.

Doubles trim differently. WAY differently. If you get sideways, the air will go to the "high side" and suddenly you go the REST of the way over! Very disconcerting!

To some extent this is inherent in diving double tanks. I found that the difference in trim kinda "went away" after 10-20 dives in doubles, but I still have to pay more attention than I do in a single. The good news is that a single now feels like nothing is on me at all!

I just picked up an Abyss 55lb doubles wing, and like it a LOT. It has a different profile than the Halcyon, Oxycheq and others, and tends to "wrap" more around the tanks, which seems to make for a much more stable platform underwater. Its "wider" in the center section, but not much more so overall. I think it will become my favorite doubles wing....

I dive mostly double-LP72s and have one pair of double HP100s.

 

[Boogie711]

OK - on that note, what would you folks recommend for a set of 72's? I just decided to bang together a recreational doubles set... I'll probably get an Explorer 55 for a set of E8130's I'll put together later this year, but do you think that's too much wing for 72's? I could always use my aforementioned Deep Outdoors 40, but I'd prefer not to have a singles wing, a light doubles wing and a heavy doubles wing... bosslady is going to start getting suspicious.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

The 55# wing might be a little much, but I dont see it as a problem. If you want to cut the size of the bladder down a bit, why dont you get an Oxycheq 50# wing. Thats got plenty of lift for the E8-130's, and will do well with 72's.
I think I would ebay the DO 40# wing...

 

[Genesis]

The Abyss 55 (single bladder) works fine with LP72s, and I prefer its shape (the lift is all outside the tanks where it belongs, instead of squeezing between you and the tank) as well.

The only "downside" that some people will have issues with is that it has two OPVs/dumps on the bottom (one on each side) IMHO that's a PLUS, as I can dump when inverted (which I do a LOT when spearfishing) without becoming unbalanced. DIR-types will want to remove the pulls from the dump strings.

It is a double-bag design and looks to be extremely-well built; I dove mine yesterday at Vortex and its fine with both the LP72s and my HP100s, and would have enough lift for a stage or deco bottle or two as well.