Oxycheq Mach V Impressions

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Splitlip

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Got my 30# Mach V.

Very first thing I see when I pick it up, it is extremely compact and the outer shell is very sturdy. Based on the Sig series. When I unzipped the outer bag to inspect the bladder, I could feel that it was heavier material than other wings I have handled. Bladder also based on Oxy Sig series.

I dive 98cf LP tanks which are 2" shorter than AL 80's. The only pics I had seen of the Mach V before had them mounted on 80's. I was concerned that the wing might get pinched under the tank or conflict with my 1st stage. It did neither.

I mounted the wing with an Oxy STA and Dive Rite steel plate. It had 1/2" clearance at the bottom of the 98CF and the top arc did not interfere with my MK 25 first stage.
Hose routing was a piece of cake.

Another "concern" someone warned me about was "the wing is so narrow, how can it float you on your back at the surface?". This turned out to be nonsence.

First dive it floated me comfortablely on my back or any which way at the surface. The real deal of course is using the wing at depth.

I trimmed out nicely and was very comfortable. Too soon to say if I benefitted from reduced drag, but I did feel unencumbered in the water. The real benefit I saw from the compact design was the precise buoyancy control I had when it came to moving the gas around and venting from the rear OPV. During the dive I prefer the rear dump. The Mach V is a donut and was very easy for me to move the gas without alot of wiggling.
 

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Great report, thanks. Which version of the Mach V is this one? I think they have a regular version and the extreme? How long is the corrigated hoes? And in the second picture there is something in the BP center channel between the bolts, what is that?
Thanks.
 
What weight pockets are those on the cam straps? I've considered that solution with xs scuba weight pockets, but to me it seems if you put them too high, then they'll make the rig less stable in the water, and if you put them low and close to the plate, then they might affect how the wing inflates and potentially restrict it? What do you think?

I'm also curious about that sausage like thing between your bolts on the second pic?
 
Jason:
Mine is not the Extreme, but rather the regular one based on the Signature Series. I did check out the extreme. It was really tough. Tougher than I think I need so I went with the original.
That thing in the center of the channel is an Oxycheq "sausage" weight. It can hold up to 4# of shot, according to Oxycheq. I am considering taking the weight pouches off my cam bands and using the sausage weight instead. In the photos, I was playing to see how EVERYTHING fit.
Corregated hose is 16". Seemed Ok, but was my first dive with it. I will probably switch out to a 12" I have here and see how that works next time.
I know when I ordered my Oxy Razor through Scubatoys, between them and Patrick at Oxycheq, they gave me the option of hose length. Don't know how they will handle things today.
 
Floater:
The pockets on the cam straps are Halcyon. I also have XS pockets. With the Halcyon pouches I can use 1/2# block weights. On the XS ones I have, the 8oz blocks would slip through.
See my response to Jason about the sausage. Haven't tried it yet.
On the matter of inlated wing conflicting with the cam pouches, yes. More than a pound in each side, and you would see the wing affected by them. Don't know that it would be a real problem though.
EDIT: I just loaded 4 # in each pocket and inflated wing comepletely. No substantial impact on the overall shape of the wing, so I would say not a real concern.
I got the sausage weight, mostly because I don't like switching out tanks on a rocking boat with weights on my cam straps.
 
Splitlip:
Jason:
...That thing in the center of the channel is an Oxycheq "sausage" weight. It can hold up to 4# of shot, according to Oxycheq. ..

Hmm, pretty cool, I have never heard of that before. Thanks for the info.
 
I trim out my BP/W when using AL80 tanks, or when I need additional weight with a dry suit, by using an XS Scuba quick attachment weight pocket on each side of the top cam band, as close to the wing as possible. If you find yourself top heavy, you can put one pocket on the top right cam band and the other on the bottom left cam band. Wing lift is more than enough, so the small amount of wing restriction is irrelevant. The sausage weight wouldn't work for me, based on the amount of weight I would need to balance the rig on each side, which is more than 4 lbs.

I don't need any weight at all with steel 100 tanks and a 3mm wet suit.

Great choice of wing, and thanks for the review.
 
I only have 4 dives on it, but it seems super solid. I plan on using it as my "Keys" wing.

It supports you pretty nicely on the surface, not quite as good as my Dive Rite Venture (also 30lb) that I will use for traveling, but the Oxycheq appears a bit more robust and well balanced.


Can't have too many wings.
 
realdiver7:
If you find yourself top heavy, you can put one pocket on the top right cam band and the other on the bottom left cam band. Wing lift is more than enough, so the small amount of wing restriction is irrelevant.
Agreed. See my edit post #5.
Loaded 4# in each pocket on top cam strap. Works fine.
 

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