Oxycheck Mach V

[GreenDiverDown]

I promised Patrick that I would report back after I put some mileage on my Mach V. I am glad to say that I really like this one and it has assumed the Alpha position in my stable of wings. I have other wings that are top quality but this wing is special. If you want a wing that looks different, is slicker than snot in the water, and is built tougher than anything else out there, then this is the wing to get.

Maybe it is just in my head but it seems that I glide much further on a single kick with this wing than any other. I don't have any objective proof of this but that's just the way it seems to me. It vents extremely quick and easy from both the corrugated hose and the rear dump and I have noticed no air trapping whatsoever. The oval design makes balancing side to side effortless.

It is definitely a head-turner. The way it practically disappears between the plate and cylinder gets a lot of remarks. And it just looks down-right funky from behind! On closer inspection the extra-heavy duty outer shell and inner bladder gets high marks from those that appreciate that kinda thing.

I was a little worried that my trim might be affected by the long, narrow bladder but this does not seem to be a problem at all. About the only drawback to this wing is that it doesn't fold up real small for packing. But that's the trade off for a near bullet-proof wing, I suppose.

If you are thinking about getting a wing, then this one should be at the top of your list.

 

[divad]

That's good news. I haven't had a chance to try mine yet. "Downright funky?" Are you some kind of wing-nut or something.

 

[divad]

Did it trap water between the shell and bladder?

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Did it trap water between the shell and bladder?

Hmm... maybe. I haven't noticed that while diving but it probably does. I have noticed that when cleaning up. I usually take off the rear dump and stick it under the tub faucet to fill it with hot water. Then I let it soak in the tub overnight. After draining all the water out of the bladder, there is a lot of water left between the bladder and the shell. It takes a while to drain that water out. Come to think of it, my Mach V doesn't have drain holes in the outer shell.

Maybe Patrick will comment on that.

And yes... I'm definitely a "wingnut"!

 

[divad]

You can put in one or two rubber grommets. Works great and no abrasion cancerns.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

You can put in one or two rubber grommets. Works great and no abrasion cancerns.

Do you have the particulars on that mod?

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I suppose that I could just put in my own metal grommets... I wonder where I can get some black ones.

Of course, it is pretty easy to just inflate the wing and push the water out. I'm still not sure that it is even an issue. I'll have to remember to check it out next time.

 

[divad]

If you find the black rubber grommets and look at them its pretty self-explanitor; you make a hole and stick in the grommets. I used Aquaseal on the inside of the shell, but not the outside. Looks like i was done in the factory. I used a large nail heated with a
propane torch. I kept enlarging the hole by moving it in a cicular motion until the hole was a little smaller than the "hub" of the grommet. After I stopped trembling, the grommet went right in so I Aquaseal-ed the inside (between shell and wing) "flange" to make sure it wouldn't come out. Then I put in another one because I liked the finish and because I could. I think I found the rubber grommet by accident at an ACE hardware store. Might have been a boat store. You could probably make or find some sort of punch the right size. You might want to practice on on of those "other" wings.

 

[divad]

I suppose that I could just put in my own metal grommets... I wonder where I can get some black ones.

Of course, it is pretty easy to just inflate the wing and push the water out. I'm still not sure that it is even an issue. I'll have to remember to check it out next time.

Some people here expressed concern about metal things touching their bladders. The rubber ones are one-piece and look sweet.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Some people here expressed concern about metal things touching their bladders. The rubber ones are one-piece and look sweet.

I can't imagine that the metal grommets would be a problem but I'll look at Home Depot to see what rubber ones they have. About how big are the ones that you are using?