Problems with transpac

[bonobluto]

The BC that I currently own in a hand-me-down from my dad and its pretty old, so I've been looking into getting a new one. I don't really like the jacket style BCs so I was looking into the transpac. I've seen several posts though where people have trouble with their first stage hitting their head. Does everyone have this problem with the transpac?

Also, I only have enough money to buy one wing for it. Most of my dives are single tank dives. However I recently got my master diver certification and I'm thinking of going into technical diving. Should I get the Rec EXP wing? I know it can handle both singles and doubles, but if most of my dives are on singles, is it a hassle to deal with? Thanks for your help.

 

[RJP]

Should I get the Rec EXP wing?

Have you ever heard the expression "Jack of all trades, master of none"?

Typically something designed to do two things... does neither well.

My experience with diving a Rec wing was that it is a capable doubles wing for the right size tanks (AL80s) but is not a very good singles wing - unless you like tacos. Get a dedicated singles wing now, and if/when you go down the technical route get the optimal wing for whatever configuration you end up diving then.

PS - If the cost of an additional wing later turns you off... you may wish to rethink the whole tech thing.

 

[scubapeter]

I would have to agree with the above post. I was in your shoes several years ago and purchased a first generation rec wing from dive rite (1996?). I still use this wing, but only with doubles. Their is nothing wrong with quality of the wing, but it is best served for doubles. If you are looking for a deal on a wing, several dive rite dealers are currently closing out the venture wing. Its size and shape lend itself better for single tank use imho. I have been using the venture wing for a few years and they are great!!!

 

[Jax]

The BC that I currently own in a hand-me-down from my dad and its pretty old, so I've been looking into getting a new one. I don't really like the jacket style BCs so I was looking into the transpac. I've seen several posts though where people have trouble with their first stage hitting their head. Does everyone have this problem with the transpac?

Also, I only have enough money to buy one wing for it. Most of my dives are single tank dives. However I recently got my master diver certification and I'm thinking of going into technical diving. Should I get the Rec EXP wing? I know it can handle both singles and doubles, but if most of my dives are on singles, is it a hassle to deal with? Thanks for your help.

Check out DeepSeaSupply (DSS) instead. Unless you know for sure you'll try sidemount in the future.

 

[Sas]

The BC that I currently own in a hand-me-down from my dad and its pretty old, so I've been looking into getting a new one. I don't really like the jacket style BCs so I was looking into the transpac. I've seen several posts though where people have trouble with their first stage hitting their head. Does everyone have this problem with the transpac?

Also, I only have enough money to buy one wing for it. Most of my dives are single tank dives. However I recently got my master diver certification and I'm thinking of going into technical diving. Should I get the Rec EXP wing? I know it can handle both singles and doubles, but if most of my dives are on singles, is it a hassle to deal with? Thanks for your help.

Transpac is comfortable enough but I think it is better to have a wing for single and a wing for doubles. You should try a few things out before you buy though, like the Transpac and BP/Ws.

Keep in mind the cost of a second wing will end up being a drop in the ocean if you pursue technical diving.

 

[Snorkelboy]

The biggest problem I have found diving a single tank on my Rec wing is letting air out, Like RJP said "Like Taco's". It traps air in funky spots so you have to orient your body vertically some to let the air out. Although once you get it bungeed all around it does the trick, how ever I own a Venture wing now for that. As far as the first stage hitting me in the head, maybe once or twice then I remembered it was back there.

 

[fnfalman]

I like my Transpac just fine. Don't mount the tank too high up, and try to invert the regulator too.

 

[sabbath999]

When I used to dive a Transpac (I have switched to a SS backplate) I had no problem with the tank sitting too high... since, obviously, tank height is adjustable.

I am another that says get a single wing for diving singles, a double wing for diving doubles and a sidemount wing for diving sidemounts. Combo wings are NOT the answer.

 

[super7]

If you're fixed on getting a RecEXP wing, consider getting it with a backplate.

 

[Nemrod]

Most wing/BP systems when used with a single tank hold the tank much to high for my tastes, I have made several modifications over the years to my equipment to address this concern including forgoing typical bent "doubles" plates for use with a single tank and instead use a Freedom Plate which is designed to correctly hold the tank centered in the upper back rather than centered on the neck. YRMV.

N