Mach V: Signature or Razor

[Nemrod]

I would rig the travel plate with the standard Hog type single piece harness, get the padded slip on shoulder straps from Oxy if you like.

Thing is that if you do any diving in Ireland the 18 pound wing will not be enough but a 30 would be and the 30 Mach V is awfully small. Maybe the new Mach V Razor for you in a 30 pound lift?

N

 

[*Floater*]

My doubles wing has the protective outer shell and whenever I squeeze through tight spots I'm happy it does. For single tank diving I went with the Mach V Razor 30#. I suppose the Mach V Sig series would be almost as streamlined, and the difference in weight and packing space is probably pretty small, but I still prefer bladderless for single tank diving unless I need the extra ruggedness of the outer shell. And imo people who need it are those who are rough on their wings in general, dive wrecks, caves and other sites where they may have to squeeze through tight spots with sharp wires, metal objects, rocks or what have you sticking out, or people who just dive a cr@pload like DM's and scuba instructors.

I don't have a very good reason for going with the bladderless Mach V. For me it's just that I used to have a single tank wing with an outer shell and inner bladder, and then I tried the Razor (the old version) and I fell in love. It just felt better - but maybe that had more to do with the difference in bladder shape (O vs. U) or something else. I have not tried the Mach V Sig, so I cannot say how it would feel in comparison.

As for the 18# vs. 30#, the former is meant for tropical diving with AL80 tanks or similar. If you plan to dive in cold water, get a 30# wing. Also, the 30# of lift will lift you higher on the surface than 18#, which again might be an issue if you end up diving overweighted or in cold water where you need a lot of weight.

About the STA, you don't need one with the new Mach V wings, but some (myself included) prefer them. Still, if your goal is to minimize weight and things to pack, you might want to start off STA-less. Another option would be the Mark Meadows travel plate that looks like the Oxy version, but does not require an STA. I think the plate channel is M-shaped so it acts as a STA. But the M-shape have some drawbacks I'm not aware of - it's hard to foresee what could happen when you deviate from the tried and trusted standards.

 

[shekes]

I am reading and re-reading your posts guys but I just can't figure it out like that. There are too many variables now.

I don't think I'll be diving in cold waters any time soon. I also don't plan on diving very much very deep either and I just hate wrecks. I was thinking 30lb mainly because the housing with the cam are heavy and because I want to be safe/stable when floating on the surface. But it's OK. That is just something I'll have to decide myself.

Now, what I still have no idea about are : harness. plate and the STA. What would you say is the best set up for my needs: mobility and comfort. I want the least drag, the least weight and the least number of hoses possible. That is why I am going for the Maximus as my reg.

BTW I still have no idea which octo would be the best to attach to the Mach V inflator hose and how to do it. Later on I will get a wireless console and hopefully will be diving with one single hose under my arm.

 

[Scubastud16]

STA = single tank adapter. It's a way of bolting on your tank to your plate, and sandwiching the wing inbetween plate/tank, as opposed to just having the tank straps go through the plate.

Get a Hog harness, but make sure you have someone to help you set it up.

As far as an octopus goes.....got with a longhose primary and a bungied octo. I have it, and I love it. Really easy to work with.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

STA = single tank adapter. It's a way of bolting on your tank to your plate, and sandwiching the wing inbetween plate/tank, as opposed to just having the tank straps go through the plate.

I think he knows what a STA is, he just doesn't know which one to get.

I gave some specific recommendations earlier. It's someone else's turn. . .

 

[shekes]

I think he knows what a STA is, he just doesn't know which one to get.

Sorta. I saw pics of it but the explanation helps.

Now, if the wing is sandwiched inbetween plate&tank, and I get a Hog harness, which I understand is a rope/strap thing, then the backplate is in fact directly on my back. Isn't that very uncomfortable?

As for the octo, I am inclined to get the Sherwood Gemini. It's $170 but is rated "best buy" by scuba diving magazine.

So if we clear up my harness/plate/STA confusion, I'd be all set and very grateful!

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Now, if the wing is sandwiched inbetween plate&tank, and I get a Hog harness, which I understand is a rope/strap thing, then the backplate is in fact directly on my back. Isn't that very uncomfortable?

Not to me, but it is a common concern of people that haven't used a Hog harness. Get the hog harness and if it proves to be uncomfortable, add the Shoulder Harness Pads and the Pad Plate (scroll to the bottom of the page).

That setup will still be cheaper, smaller and lighter than most padded adjustable harnesses.

 

[Nemrod]

Sorta. I saw pics of it but the explanation helps.

Now, if the wing is sandwiched inbetween plate&tank, and I get a Hog harness, which I understand is a rope/strap thing, then the backplate is in fact directly on my back. Isn't that very uncomfortable?

As for the octo, I am inclined to get the Sherwood Gemini. It's $170 but is rated "best buy" by scuba diving magazine.

So if we clear up my harness/plate/STA confusion, I'd be all set and very grateful!

A "rope and strap thing," have you seen those I3 BCs, they are really cool?

N

 

[dkatchalov]

Not to me, but it is a common concern of people that haven't used a Hog harness. Get the hog harness and if it proves to be uncomfortable, add the Shoulder Harness Pads and the Pad Plate (scroll to the bottom of the page).

That setup will still be cheaper, smaller and lighter than most padded adjustable harnesses.

FWIW, I just recently got a bp/w setup and did 2 dives on it. Here's my 2c - hopefully the OP finds it useful.

First my setup:

- DR deluxe harness (no padding of any sort, just two pivot rings on the shoulders and a chest strap)
- OMS Alu Plate
- Oxycheq Mach V Signature 30lb wing
- Oxycheq light 1-piece STA

SETUP - Plate & Harness
Getting the harness threaded through the plate was easy although the dive rite instructions are crap. I suggest looking up the OMS instructions on threading a harness as they are much better.

Adjusting the harness for your size & exposure protection was a pain in the *** as I didn't know what I was doing and where everything should be. Suggestions I can make are: 1) be patient; 2) wear all your exposure protection when adjusting; 3) look up the GUE/DIR instructions for how a harness should be setup. Even if you are not into DIR, it gives a good starting point on how the harness is setup and you can then adjust to suit your needs.

SETUP - Wing & STA
To cut a long story short, I stuffed around with fitting an STA because I liked the idea of an STA and everyone said it would provide more tank stability. In the end I went without an STA. This is possible given that I have a newer Mach V Signature with the slots & roll control bars.

Why did I go STA-less? I found that given my plate/wing/harness/STA combo, I could not get my tank low enough to prevent it from hitting my head. It was just impossible & prevented me from being totally horizontal in the water. I tried all the different combinations and it just didn't work.

So what did I do? I used the wing nuts that came with the STA to secure the wing to the plate so I can take off the tank and not have the wing come off. I also used a bookscrew and put it through the wing, the upper harness assembly (through the grommet) and the plate. This bookscrew now makes sure my harness does not slide around. I then put the cam straps through the plate and the wing and.... found out that this configuration will allow me to put the tank MUCH lower on my bank & (hopefully) prevent it from hitting my head.

DIVING
Getting into a bp/w that is adjusted for you is a breeze. Much easier and quicker than a jacket. Only two buckles to do up (only one buckle if you go the hog harness). My only advice is: whatever hand you wear your gauges on - get that through the harness first, then your other hand. I learnt this the hard way after almost dislocation my shoulder

My setup did not cause me to float face down in the water. I was upright from the second I stepped off the boat and had no trouble maintaining this position. Swimming/chaning direction on the surface was also easier.

I was wearing a 7mm suit+5mm vest and could not feel the plate on my back at all. Obviously with lighter exposure protection this may be an issue.

Underwater it was easy to control & fine tune my buoyancy. The wing did not trap any air and was very responsive to my "commands". If it wasn't for the tank hitting my head, I would have been able to maintain good horizontal trim with this wing easily. The wing did not taco around my tank either.

After ascending, on the surface, the wing keeps you nice and high above the water. Swimming to the boat is a bit trickier - on your back is the only way to do it - no more sideways swimming like I was used to in a jacket. It was a bit tricky to swim on my back at first - you tend to roll from side to side but then I found the balance and it was fairly easy.

Hopefully this writeup helps.

 

[dkatchalov]

A "rope and strap thing," have you seen those I3 BCs, they are really cool?

N

How about the Mares HUB - they are even cooler. In addition to the 1001 inbuilt gadgets the HUB will also automatically make you a nice hot cup of chocolate when you get back on the boat!