Oxycheq vs DSS vs Halcyon

[mBrennan]

Hi Guys,
I am in the Market to buy a Backplate and Single wing and I am leaning towards Oxycheq as it seems to be the most streamlined without being to $$$$. I like the sounds of everything I hear and read about the DSS and like the design of their back plates but I hear people complain about how the wings get floppy especially if you are using the same wing for cold water and warm water dives (being floppy on the warm water dives). And of course the Halcyon sounds good but not much better than the Oxycheq for the $$ involved from what I gather.

Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[John_B]

What size wings are you considering? No 40 lb. lift wing is going to be "streamlined" for warm water dives. You might want to figure out if you want a compromize wing to do double duty for both warm and cold water, or if you want a "streamlined" warm water rig.

 

[redacted]

I have both DSS and Oxycheq wings. The DSS probably holds a slight edge when it comes to design and production quality. but the big difference is with DSS, you can actually talk to the manufacturer. With Oxycheq, you better have a good dealer because that is the only rep you will be able to talk to.

 

[TheTrickster]

Just a thought..

Have a look at the new(er) Hollis wings (with the red panel) they have internal bungee to keep everything more streamlined.

 

[halocline]

They're both good. I'm not sure why you would need a 40 lb wing for any single tank diving, but both the DSS and oxycheq single tank wings are well designed and high quality. If you have the right size wing for the diving you're doing, you'll be very happy with either.

I'd stay away from any wing that has bungies, internal or external.

 

[tracydr]

There were a couple of things I didn't like about the DSS. Not deal killers but minor nuisances. One was the angle of the inflator hose is directly in the middle which I found a little less than desirable with a very,very short hose. Two, the plate doesn't screw attach firmly to the wing and I found mine constantly coming off until I purchased a few nylon wing nuts and washers to have my husband make a modification to the design.
However, it is a very well designed wing and backplate. I just found that I like the Halcyon set-up slightly better with a little nicer details.
The DSS wings are very streamlined and I can't imagine anybody calling their wings floppy based on not being streamlined.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I would suggest getting a wing in the correct size, such as less than 30lbs. of lift for a single aluminum 80 and a 5mm or less wetsuit.
I agree on there being no need for bungies on a wing as a means of making a wing that is too big, smaller.
I have owned Dive Rite Wings, Oxycheq, DSS, and Halcyon.

They are all good........you won't find too many bad ones out there.

My personal preference now is Halcyon and Deep Sea Supply. That's all I own and use now; but that is personal preference.

I am a big fan of DSS, for a variety of reasons, and feel you would have a hard time finding anything better than DSS.

They are made in the US, and all cost under $500 for a complete rig.

There are quite a few out there that are a whole lot cheaper than that. If you are looking for products that are made to hit the lower price points; you can find other options.

You originally asked about Oxycheq or DSS; with that in mind.....I would recommend DSS.
Compared to anyone....I would still recommend DSS.

Have fun diving.

 

[TSandM]

Be very careful with Oxycheq. You get all your product support from your dealer, and they do not always support their dealers, and do not always do the right thing with flawed equipment. A number of us in the PNW have experience with that, which is why nobody I know in our area is an Oxycheq dealer any more.

An oversized wing will "taco", no matter what brand it is. Large capacity wings are needed when there is a need to put a lot of air in a wing -- eg. when diving with very large, negative tanks, or diving deep with very thick neoprene exposure protection. Schemes to reduce this problem, such as bungies on the wing, create their own issues, because a small amount of air can get trapped in the "pooches" created by the constricting bands, and be even harder to vent than a tacoed wing.

Most people are very well served with about a 30 to 35 pound wing for cold water diving. Such a wing will also work pretty well for warm water -- it's not "ideal", and diving smaller wings is fun, but if you insist on buying one to serve all diving environments, that 30 pound range will work for most.

I've seen people complain about the center takeoff for the DSS corrugated hose, but I've never had any problems with it, myself. And DSS's customer support is superb.

On the other hand, Halcyon is making wings in custom colors now

 

[Matt S.]

DSS is the only company of the three who's owner I can name, and who has actually called me to talk me out of something that I put in my online order. Good products, good service, good online presence, prices nothing to complain about... I've bought 3 rigs from him. Well, 2 direct, one through a local retailer when I realized that was possible. I like to support my LDS.

 

[Malpaso]

I'm guessing this is your first bp/w. I recently purchased my first one as well. As some have already said in different words, DSS will provide the knowledge neither of us had as first time buyers. I conversed with Tobin via email and phone ad nauseum. I asked stupid questions and he gave me great answers. Most important to me, he explained why I should get each particular component. He had me take my wet suit, put it in a mesh bag and see how much weight it took to sink it (36#). Then he explained that was why I needed a 40# wing, even diving singles. I could have easily bought each component based on price or advertising, but I'm convinced I would have ended up with the wrong set up, hated it, and complained forever how much bp/w suck. Instead, with only a little tweaking of the HOG harness, I was good to go in the water almost right off the bat.