Too big, too long... the Wing that is.

[BikerManiac]

After many months of searching and reading I finally pulled the plug and purchase my BP/Wing combo.

Well today I got it and I was shocked to see how big the Dive Rite Venture wing is!!!. I saw the pictures and all, but never expected it to be so big...and long. In fact I was expecting something like half the size. Now are all the wing about the same size?

I look like Batman wearing the BP/Wing.

The venture wing has 30lbs of lift. My old Back Inflate BCD had 30lbs of lift as well and it's much smaller.

Should I return it and buy a 18lbs wing?

Will try to take pictures and post them

 

[cool_hardware52]

After many months of searching and reading I finally pulled the plug and purchase my BP/Wing combo.

Well today I got it and I was shocked to see how big the Dive Rite Venture wing is!!!. I saw the pictures and all, but never expected it to be so big...and long. In fact I was expecting something like half the size. Now are all the wing about the same size?

I look like Batman wearing the BP/Wing.

The venture wing has 30lbs of lift. My old Back Inflate BCD had 30lbs of lift as well and it's much smaller.

Should I return it and buy a 18lbs wing?

Will try to take pictures and post them

What's your configuration? What tanks, what exposure suit, dive conditions, current weight carried etc.

The primary selection criteria for a wing is appropriate lift for the application, not overall size.

If all you need is 18-20 lbs a smaller wing might be appropriate. If you need 30 lbs a smaller wing is not a good idea.


Tobin

 

[dumpsterDiver]

What he said....I use the same wing and I personally would not want anything with less lift than the 30 lb venture wing. Maybe if you only used aluminum tanks, in warm water with a thin wetsuit could you get by with much less lift.

 

[BikerManiac]

* Always warm water diving
* 3mm full wetsuit
* With regular BCD I usually use 6-7lbs of lead
* 80cf tank

Pretty standard and basic.

 

[cool_hardware52]

* Always warm water diving
* 3mm full wetsuit
* With regular BCD I usually use 6-7lbs of lead
* 80cf tank

Pretty standard and basic.

Any wing needs to be able to do two things; Float your rig at the surface without you in it, and compensate for the compression of your wetsuit.

Assuming an AL80, SS plate and normal regs etc your rig will be about 12 lbs negative with a full cylinder, if you are using a weight belt.

A 3 mm suit will be maybe 10-12 lbs buoyant.

A 18-20 lbs wing should be fine.


Tobin

 

[*Floater*]

* Always warm water diving
* 3mm full wetsuit
* With regular BCD I usually use 6-7lbs of lead
* 80cf tank

Pretty standard and basic.

Take a look at the Oxycheq Razor 18 (single layer, O-shaped bladder) or DSS LCD 20 (double-layer, U-shaped baldder). Those are the smallest wings I know of currently on the market. Halcyon also used to make a 18# Pioneer wing (bat wing) that you might be able to find used (single layer, U-shaped bladder).

 

[redacted]

Take a look at the Oxycheq Razor 18 (single layer, O-shaped bladder) or DSS LCD 20 (double-layer, U-shaped baldder). Those are the smallest wings I know of currently on the market. Halcyon also used to make a 18# Pioneer wing (bat wing) that you might be able to find used (single layer, U-shaped bladder).

You might want to be careful with the smaller donut shaped wings. I have a Diverite travel wing on my plate. Although it is rated the same as the venture wing, it is shorter and I lose about 5 lb of bouyancy where the wing gets sandwiched between the tank (Al80) and the plate. That is probably why the venture win is taller. BTW, my travel wing is noticably shorter and narrower than my buddy's 36 # pioneer wing.

 

[TheRedHead]

Have you dived the wing? It's very easy to dive with and vent. It's the smallest wing in my dive bag.

 

[BikerManiac]

The Wing/BP fits really good. I am dying to try it, but I will not go diving for a few months. I bought it because I just didn't wait another 6 months. Anyhow, the reason why I dont like the Venture wing is because it looks like the BATMAN cape on me. Hey I have a small frame and wearing the BP/Wing I feel I can fly.

What I like about the Wing is that it has a remote should pull dump. Perfect to attach my SS1 to it. I dont think any other company makes them like that anymore.

 

[BikerManiac]

The promised pictures.