Oxycheq vs. Dive Rite, help please!

[dafunkyv]

It seems like there are more votes for Oxycheq right now.

I was leaning that direction but when I went to the dive shop I was seduced by the transpac's comfort and small sized wing.

I also don't know if I should get the short backplate. I am not that short, but my frame is thin and was told that it might suit me better. If I do that I might get the heavy sta. What do you think about that?

And all of your oxycheq votes even take into consideration the $150 price difference? Maybe that difference is more like $200 if I get the heavy sta. Is it really that much of a difference? You guys have me leaning oxycheq but my wallet is resisting just a bit...

Let's see if I get a few more responses. I'll make a decision soon and post when I decide or get the BC.

Thanks everyone,
Sneha

p.s. I am not quite wearing 2 layers of 6.5 mm wetsuit. The top layer is 5 mm.

 

[Bob3]

Travel Wing does not work with a backplate

There is a new version out; they're making a Travel Wing that works with a backplate.
(they stole my idea)
FredT's standard SS BP should fit you OK, he does make a short profile version but that's more for folks closer to the 5' height.

 

[raposarose]

Probably the regular backplate will be ok for you, though I don't know if there is any real negative with the short one.

I was advised against the heavy sta only because it is less modular than other ways of adding weight. You can use a steel tank, or get these weight pockets and slide them as far back as they can go on your harness. Then you can also add some on your tank real close to the tank. That is what I was advised to do and it seems to have worked out though I only did it for one dive so far.

Some people here seem to really like the heavy backplates and sta's though.

Fox

 

[reubencahn]

dafunkyv once bubbled...
It seems like there are more votes for Oxycheq right now.

And all of your oxycheq votes even take into consideration the $150 price difference? Maybe that difference is more like $200 if I get the heavy sta. Is it really that much of a difference? You guys have me leaning oxycheq but my wallet is resisting just a bit...

I don't know DiveRite's prices since I didn't go that way, but I was able to put together an Oxycheq #30 wing with lightweight STA and harness and a Fred T aluminum plate for $380. The only additional costs were $1.80 for some bicycle innertube and $10 shipping on the plate. Covci shipped the Oxycheq stuff for free. I think you'd be looking at about $40 more for the SS plate, $15 more for the heavy STA and maybe $50 more for the larger wing. So you can still bring this in for a reasonable cost.

Also, I think the Fred T short SS plate is only 1 lb. lighter than the regular. But at 5'8", it sounds like you don't need it.

 

[Scubaroo]

At 5'8" there's no need for the short plate.

 

[OneBrightGator]

Skip the small.

Ben

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

Is that the original post specified diving in a lot of neoprene, All of which compresses with depth. With heavy wetsuits, it's really nice to have the quick, on-the-fly, fit adjustments that the transpac or transplate offer. I'd opt for the 40 or 45# wing, colder water also usualy means higher seas, and a bit more head and shoulders out of the water is more comfortable and easier to be spotted. I also prefer the seperate, repairable, bladder / outer covering configuratin myself.

Darlene

 

[Robert Phillips]

You might try calling Dive Locker in San Diego. Several of their instructors are also GUE instructors and can probably get you fitted in a backplate or a Dive Rite set up that you can try out in the water.
I use a 27# wing on a s/s backplate. I have a total of 19# of lead with 10# in ditchable XS Scuba weight pockets on the waist strap of the harness. If I can get down to 185 and lose some of my gut I can probably cut that down to 15#. I dive a 7mm one piece just a little north of you in Orange County.

Raposa: Its good to hear that the setup works well for you. Maybe we can hook up for a dive somewhere, sometime!

 

[Danny D]

Oxycheq is the ways to go ...im ordering mine tommarow afternoon! 45 wing ,ss plate, sta

 

[JohnF]

dafunkyv once bubbled...
Hello Divers,

My choices are:
1) Oxycheq BP/Wing complete system with 45 lb wing (since I am told it has the same trim characteristic as the smaller wing)
2) Transpac w/30 lb travel wing
3) Transplate w/30 lb travel wing
4) Dive Rite BP/Wing w/30 lb travel wing

1: Don't shop by price alone. If price is the prime determinant then get a cheap vest and save a bunch of money. Ultimately you won't be happy, but you'll have saved money. Same goes for buying a plate/wing. Do you want to compromise to save a few bucks and risk being dissatisfied later, and probably spending more money to correct the mistake?

2: With that in mind decide how much lift you need. You will be diving cold water and I understand that there's some deep rec diving in the SD area so you'll have major suit compression. Will 30# do the job? I can tell you from experience that my 27# Halcyon is a great wing in warm water with my 3/2 suit, but it gets real scary feeling in my 7mm at 60-70' with an al80 & 28# of weight on board.

Make your final decision for the right reasons. 8)

JohnF