Need help with advanced equiment choices

[scarefaceDM]

HOG harness..18$ CDN, d-rings (5 ss rings) 15$cdn, small secure fasteners(6), about 10$. Making Harness for backplate...an hour plus a few beers...

Reading this post...while drinking my coffee...pricless....

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

This board's reading more like rec.scuba every day. I can't believe y'all are even arguing about this.

To the OP ... any of those packages would make you happy. Get the one that seems like it'll best fit your budget and diving requirements.

The argument about whether a 45# singles wing is too big is just plain silly ... I could see it if he was suggesting a 60# wing, but honestly, I own several singles wings between 30# and 45# and they're all easy and fun to dive. Anybody who thinks an Oxycheq 45 Signature or a Halcyon Evolve 40 is too big of a singles wing obviously has never dived one.

I'm a big fan of DSS gear, and if saving some money and doing business with someone with a proven record of top-notch customer service is important, I'd say give it a serious look. On the other hand, if supporting a local company is more important, then go with the local company. They make good gear too.

Goodness gracious ... why does a simple question about gear have to turn into an argument? It's just gear ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[O.M.O.H.]

This board's reading more like rec.scuba every day. I can't believe y'all are even arguing about this.

To the OP ... any of those packages would make you happy. Get the one that seems like it'll best fit your budget and diving requirements.

The argument about whether a 45# singles wing is too big is just plain silly ... I could see it if he was suggesting a 60# wing, but honestly, I own several singles wings between 30# and 45# and they're all easy and fun to dive. Anybody who thinks an Oxycheq 45 Signature or a Halcyon Evolve 40 is too big of a singles wing obviously has never dived one.

I'm a big fan of DSS gear, and if saving some money and doing business with someone with a proven record of top-notch customer service is important, I'd say give it a serious look. On the other hand, if supporting a local company is more important, then go with the local company. They make good gear too.

Goodness gracious ... why does a simple question about gear have to turn into an argument? It's just gear ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

At least there is someone here with some sense. I agree with you i kinda started loosing it a bit at the end there. .

 

[MSilvia]

I can appreciate where you're coming from as far as product support goes, etc. but it seems odd to base your purchase decision on that when the stuff you're looking at buying is nearly service-free. If your backplate ever needs service, you should probably consider not driving bulldozers over it. If your harness needs service, buy a new piece of webbing for $15 and replace it. If you take care of your wing, it should last for years, and you can easily service it yourself so long as you get one that lets you have access to the bladder.

That said, what's the back pad for? I've been on a number of dives with a stainless steel plate and Hog harness over a t-shirt or dive skin, and it was perfectly comfortable. IMHO, the back pad only adds buoyancy, which requires you to carry more weight, which (again IMHO) does not make a diver more comfortable.

As NWGD said though, you're likely to be equally happy with any of the rigs you mentioned. I can't think of a compelling reason (from a quality/functional standpoint) to select one over the others.

 

[O.M.O.H.]

That said, what's the back pad for? I've been on a number of dives with a stainless steel plate and Hog harness over a t-shirt or dive skin, and it was perfectly comfortable. IMHO, the back pad only adds buoyancy, which requires you to carry more weight, which (again IMHO) does not make a diver more comfortable.

Agreed. I played around with the DSS rig not too long ago in a pool just for the heck of it, i was wearing a tshirt and it felt a bit rough on my back and chest. It may be just my personal oddity, but i will reconsider it again.

I made my own crotch strap out of 4$ worth of webbing, a triglide, and a D-ring. Why anyone would pay more than $10 for one is a mystery to me..

Complete strap from OMS is $7

As NWGD said though, you're likely to be equally happy with any of the rigs you mentioned. I can't think of a compelling reason (from a quality/functional standpoint) to select one over the others.

99.9% of people i know locally dive either OMS or D.O. Excluding the ones diving conventional BCD's.

 

[O.M.O.H.]

Deleted

 

[MSilvia]

Agreed. I played around with the DSS rig not too long ago in a pool just for the heck it, i was in a tshirt and it felt a bit rough on my back. It may be just my personal oddity, but i will reconsider it again.

It definately couldn't hurt to reconsider. I'd even go so far as to recommend holding off on the backpad for the first five dives or so, even if you want it, just so you can be sure your $50 is well spent. Better to do that than decide after a few dives that you'd rather have extra cash for a charter boat than a barely-used back pad sitting in your closet.

Complete strap from OMS is $7

You can't beat that. With the cost of materials and hardware, I don't think I could build my own for much less.

 

[CompuDude]

To the OP: You seem to have good, well-considered reasons for choosing OMS over DSS and others. It wouldn't be my decision (nor would I add weight systems to a bp/w), but if it makes you happy to have all the bits and pieces you've listed, go for it, and it sounds like OMS would probably be the best choice for you.

I've noticed some hostility in the tech world towards OMS, despite the fact that they do make high quality gear. I suspect (but cannot confirm) that some of that has to do with mistakes of the past from OMS (the ill-conceived bungied wing of doom, for instance) and higher prices (not in all areas, but clearly in some) than some preferred vendors. Most of what they offer can generally be found for less, at equal-to-better quality, from other vendors, some of whom have not made the same past mistakes as OMS. Also, not everyone is local to OMS. (Not everyone is local to DSS, either, but I'd suspect, without any proof, that there are more divers in SoCal than NY.)

Anyway, just some ruminations. I think NWGratefulDiver's post summed things up well. Go for the OMS package you like.

 

[Scuba Cowboy]

I believe the hostility toward OMS by some in the tech world is due to ignorance. They do make high quality gear, and as far as high price goes, you should check some Halcyon figures cause they are very high as well. Also, there is nothing ill-concieved about bungeed wings. They work perfectly fine for those who use them. Again its ignorance on the part of those who don't use them as they've bought in to one particular agencies bull about how they will kill you and stating reasons that are not valid. Hundreds of people use them as well as Dive Rite bungeed wings and I've never heard of someone dying due to bungees.
The fact is this, people are all different and like different things thats why there are so many different manufacturers. Ones not necessarily better than the other, just different. Just my 2 pennies by the way, no ill will meant towards anyone.

 

[O.M.O.H.]

(Not everyone is local to DSS, either, but I'd suspect, without any proof, that there are more divers in SoCal than NY.)

I don't know... But certification agencies run the statistics i am sure. I wonder if anyone would post or have posted a poll with questions identifyng divers locality . Nice points otherwise. As far as hostility goes i've not seen it yet outside this board but some of the big names in scuba use OMS.

Talking about unlikely choices: Nuno Gomes current cave (282,60mfw/927ffw) and deep diving record (318msw/1044fsw) holder uses TrippleL (www.scubaL.com) wings... The guy dives with four tanks on his back and bunch of tanks slinged. Go figure.

Thanks