Opinions on BP& Wing (Looking to Upgrade)

[ams511]

I think the point Tobin or others are trying to make is NOT to have the smallest wing, so that lift exactly = change in buoyance. But rather, an over size wing is NOT the answer to a over weighted rig. I do want a few lb of extra lift so that I can be more comfortable on surface, but I will never want to dive rig where if my wing fail, I will sink like a stone with empty tank

That is not the way it comes across and the number of questions from newbies concerning lift seems to agree with my interpretation. There are people on SB who promote using the smallest wing possible because of performance. This confuses newbies who worry about too big a wing hurting performance. On reasonable sized modern wings you don't have the tacoing problem like what happened in the past when people used doubles wings for singles.

If the diver wants to spend the money he can purchase a rig optimized for each diving condition. If not then he needs to pick something in the middle that is not optimal but will work all the diving conditions the diver will encounter.

As for being overweighted I agree but most of us will start the dive about 5 lbs heavy because of the weight of the air in a single tank.

 

[cool_hardware52]

That is not the way it comes across and the number of questions from newbies concerning lift seems to agree with my interpretation. There are people on SB who promote using the smallest wing possible because of performance. This confuses newbies who worry about too big a wing hurting performance. On reasonable sized modern wings you don't have the tacoing problem like what happened in the past when people used doubles wings for singles.

Higher lift capacity requires more volume, and more volume means more tank wrap. Better wing design can help, but you cannot avoid putting the required capacity somewhere.

I help people pick out wings, often a couple times a day. I've sized wings for 1000's of divers. Often these divers want to use their gear across a broad range of conditions, typically cold to moderately cold water at home and warm water when they travel. If one understands how to select a wing that is no larger than they need for cold water, then this same wing will usually be OK for warm water. The key is avoiding way too much wing for cold water.

If the diver wants to spend the money he can purchase a rig optimized for each diving condition. If not then he needs to pick something in the middle that is not optimal but will work all the diving conditions the diver will encounter.

The vast majority of my customers end up with one wing. A few choose to buy a small warm water wing and a larger cold water wing. This is a choice only they can make. I give them their options, *they* make the choice.

As for being overweighted I agree but most of us will start the dive about 5 lbs heavy because of the weight of the air in a single tank.

In a buoyant compressible suit there is no need to start the dive negative for most single tank recreational divers. An exposure suit that is ~20+ lbs at the surface won't be 20 lbs positive at 15 ft.

Of course in a 3mm or dive skin the diver does need to be negative by at least a portion of the weight of his gas.

Tobin