mossym:
isn't one of the whole bp/wing benefits supposed to be about interchangability? why not mate a oxyxheq wing with a DR backplate, then you get the best of both worlds..or can that nor be done?
Yes, that's correct.
I own two Dive Rite plates. One has an Oxycheq wing mounted with it, the other has a Deep Sea Supply wing.
That said, Dive Rite isn't my first choice for plates ... although it's more a matter of personal preference than anything else.
If you compare plate shapes, you will find some differences in the angle of the plate bend, channel depth, and overall plate shape.
Some plates come in short, standard, and long sizes. I'll address the "standard" size plates for comparison.
The Dive Rite plate is about 3/4" longer in length than the Oxycheq and the corners are less rounded. For people with "hips", that means when you don the rig, you may notice the corners of the plate digging into you a bit. Not an issue once you're in the water, but it can wear into your exposure gear over time. For leaner people, or those with a proportionally long torso, this won't be a concern at all.
Plate bend angle and channel depth are similar between the two ... with the Oxycheq having a slightly shallower channel depth and the Dive Rite having a slightly shallower bend angle. These differences are so slight that from a practical standpoint the diver won't even notice them.
Neither plate would be my first choice ... mainly due to the fact that even factory-finished these two plates come with edges that will wear through a harness quicker than some others I've tried. Both FredT and DSS make higher-quality plates, as does Halcyon, although I don't own the latter and can't speak from more than observations of buddy's gear.
Dive-a-holic ... I PM'ed you my personal observations of DR vs Oxycheq wings. To clarify (since I hadn't read your posts till now) ... those are based on singles wings.
I notice you want a wing that will be suitable for both singles and doubles. I would advise against going that route because in order to make a wing that will accommodate both, the manufacturer has to make compromises against the performance of both. Singles wings and doubles wings are very different.
If you really have your heart set in that direction, then I'd recommend the DR Rec wing simply because it's an adequate performer for singles, and if you release (or remove) the bungee it will accommodate 7-1/4" diameter doubles without too much difficulty.
But for proper performance, I'd recommend a singles wing for singles, and a doubles wing for doubles.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
