PNW drysuit diver... singles wing size?

[TSandM]

BTW, I have done several warm water trips with my SS BP and LCD 30 wing. I haven't had any problems meeting the weight restrictions (even with Jet fins). On our recent trip to Cozumel, I took Tobin's Kydex plate and the LCD 30 wing, and that worked great. Using the steel tanks Aldora provides, I needed two pounds of weight on the camband, and I just threaded the camband through the weight so the two pounder sat centered and that worked well.

 

[Matt S.]

I was able to try TSandM's DSS rig this weekend, and sure enough, it's pretty nice. My trim has never been so good. One more thing on the shopping list... Sigh.

 

[jim T.]

I own Tobin's DSS medium S.S. backplate. His wings are really nice designs. I did, however choose an Oxycheq Signature 45 because it provides lots of lift in the same size wing as their 30lb. It's also a doughnut shaped wing while Tobin's are U shaped
unless he's added newer models recently. If you do a search there's a huge thread
about that choice/difference on the board.
Bob recommended my 45 to me but he also recommended DSS wings. I chose according to my own proclivities

I LOVE his backplate which incorporates "rubber" inserts to allow you to make adjustments without messing with webbing keeper hardware. I also like his
hole and slot arrangements better than most. His plate for singles give a flatter/lower profile than most, also. Tobin is fantastic at responding to inquiries and emails.

I weigh (sadly) 206lbs. I just returned from the S. Carribean using my S.S. backplate and about six lbs. of lead on an XS scuba pocket belt. (w/an AL 80).

Here, I use a single XS pocket on my camband for a 5lb. trim weight. TSandM recommended that to me and it's been great.
Try as many wings as you can before buying. I lean towards more lift than less within
reason for surface swim in big swell/chop in a 55 yr. old body. I'm using an Oxy 70 lb. double inflator with doubles and depending on which camp I'm speaking with or diving with I get "varied" positive/negative comments concerning the lift. It's pretty streamlined-only a tad larger than an Apex 60 and much smaller than a Dive Rite Classic so I've been very happy so far. There's a difference (at least for me) between lift needed for an ascent and lift "appreciated" in a rough windy surface swim or wait for a crowded dive boat ladder climb while assisting a buddy.

I'd encourage you to try wings in fairly windy/choppy conditions to evaluate how much lift you are comfortable with.

Isn't the trim ease with BP/Wing great? I'll never go back to a jacket.

 

[bdshort]

I have an Oxycheq Mach V 30# wing. I've been diving with a 12# belt, with 11# in pockets on the harness (3# on the cam strap and 4# x 2 in pockets on the waist strap). With the weight of the plate, which I think is about 6#, that's 29# total. I dive with a TLS350 SE I bought used, and have steel 100's for my tanks. The 30# seems sufficient, though by itself it the water, it floats fairly low. A couple of days ago I put together a new belt that is 20#, so I'll am able to remove 8# from the weight pockets, and also removed the pockets from my harness. I haven't dove in it yet though. I wanted the 20# belt for simplicity.