Oxycheq wing.

[mikey3091]

So my LDS has a Oxycheq wing assembled with a medium stainless BP, 40lb wing, STA and hog harness for $450. I've been looking at a wing for awhile and this seems like a good deal right? I tried it on and love it. I only have about 20 dives, but it is so much more comfortable than my Mares vest BC; however, I have a few questions. I've done my research and this seems like a good deal, but I wanted others' opinions. Also, do you wing guru's recommend the hog harness over the deluxe harnesses? How do you get out of this thing if you get into trouble? Also, the wing would cancel out a weight belt, but is this dangerous? I assume that quick releases on BC's is out of safety to get the diver to the surface quickly. What do you do in this case? Also, is this overkill with a 40# wing and a SS wing? I usually dive a 3/2 or just a rash guard in the summer. I'm excited, but I want to make the correct decision. Thanks for any input guys.

 

[mikey3091]

One more thing: this thing comes with a crotch strap. Is this useful or necessary? Seems painful.

 

[halocline]

One more thing: this thing comes with a crotch strap. Is this useful or necessary? Seems painful.

The webbing crotch strap is useful on the surface, and is not painful. If you want painful, try the spiked crotch strap!

 

[Nemrod]

Get the 30 pound Mach V for singles in warm water or even the 18--not the 40.

Yes, you need the crotch strap, it is essential to the system, it does not need to be tight, just enough to keep the rig from sliding forward and provide stability, there should be no pressure on the crotch strap when rigged correctly.

N

 

[mikey3091]

The webbing crotch strap is useful on the surface, and is not painful. If you want painful, try the spiked crotch strap!

The sad thing is that there are more than a few people in the world that would enjoy it!

 

[ZzzKing]

The sad thing is that there are more than a few people in the world that would enjoy it!

Why does that make you sad?

A 40# wing is a lot of lift for diving singles. I would second the 30# suggestion unless you are going to be diving doubles.

 

[darylm74]

I have the 40lb wing and like it. It is overkill for some people, but I'm no small guy and rather broad shouldered and I like the way it sits me out of the water more when in waves. Even though it is 40lbs, it is very streamlined, so I wouldn't worry about that much. As for the harness, stick with the Hog. It takes some getting used to and, with my shoulders and drysuit rings, I was pretty frustrated with it for a few dives. Now that I learned the tricks to get out of it, I wouldn't want go with a quick disconnect. Webbing also wears over time, especially when I switch to the doubles using the same BP, so much cheaper to replace the webbing than a deluxe harness.

 

[mikey3091]

As far as weighting goes what do I need to do? The STA and backplate weigh about 6 lbs. When I dive an aluminum 80 with just a rash guard I have 10lbs on my belt; however, I am very inexperienced as to other tanks. I dove a steel 100 once. I'm not skilled enough to know which tank to use for different applications, so I would like a setup that is flexible. Also, in the winter I will dive a 3/2 or a 6mil.

 

[johnny_bravo]

My 0.02 psi:

If you are going to buy your own tanks you are going to want to buy steel tanks...if you are going to dive a steel tank in Florida with a 3/2 fullsuit you are going to be overweighted. I have an SS plate and STA totalling 9lbs...I use about 11lbs in a fullsuit and if I add a 4-6lb negative Steel tank I'm way too heavy. Most people will use an AL backplate instead in this scenario.

If you are going to be diving AL 80s get the SS plate and STA.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[Colliam7]

So my LDS has a Oxycheq wing assembled with a medium stainless BP, 40lb wing, STA and hog harness for $450. I've been looking at a wing for awhile and this seems like a good deal right? I tried it on and love it. I only have about 20 dives, but it is so much more comfortable than my Mares vest BC.

The total price appears to be a good value. What is a 'medium' BP?

Also, do you wing guru's recommend the hog harness over the deluxe harnesses? How do you get out of this thing if you get into trouble? Also, the wing would cancel out a weight belt, but is this dangerous? I assume that quick releases on BC's is out of safety to get the diver to the surface quickly.

You won't find that a hog harness is significantly more difficult to 'get out of' than a deluxe harness, or than a BC for that matter. That is not what the quick releases are for, anyway. They are for convenience. If you want to get out of it, you can, easily. I dive a hog with a BP/W for wetsuit diving, and I have what amounts to a deluxe - quick releases on the shoulder straps - for drysuit diving. The hog is fine. I like the releases with my DS because I am lazier than I once was and it is much easier to 'get out of' on the boat / shore after the dive.

Also, is this overkill with a 40# wing and a SS wing? I usually dive a 3/2 or just a rash guard in the summer.

A 40# wng is probably more than you absolutely need for an AL80, but it won't be a problem. If you dive with any steels, you will have good lift.

I'm excited, but I want to make the correct decision.

The 'correct' decision is what works for you. The fact you are going BP/W to start is a good decision to begin with. The rig sounds like a decent value.