Venting Rec Wings: How Serious an Issue Is It Really?

[strazz]

I purchased Rec Wings this week and took them diving this morning. I didn't have any trouble dumping air from them and I was extremely happy with their performance. One of my best friends and his brother have been using Rec Wings for several years and they've never had a problem either.

 

[jim T.]

Thanks Strazz. This hard to vent shoulder mounted hosed, horseshoe wing issue has gotten to be a big topic of discussion on the board and it's been getting enough testimony here, in this thread, anyway,to show that compared with center mounted hosed, doughnuts, it's a minor issue to non issue for most Rec Wing Divers.
Sounds like the tacoing with single tanks, and trapped air due to the under the wing bungee system is also a non-issue for a great many Transplate/Rec divers.
I for one got pretty darn paranoid about it from reading other threads here.
Your input is appreciated, thanks again.

 

[jim T.]

Dang! Sorry for another double post...is there a way to edit out a complete double post? I tried clicking and dragging and hitting delete... I'd like to avoid doing this again! Moderators please feel free to delete the 2nd post if necessary.

Strazz, as long as I've had to come back with this apology, were you diving single tanks? No increased S.A.C. rate due to drag, etc. then? 3 Happy divers in one fell swoop speaks volumes IMO.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Rick if you don't mind elaborating/clarifying just a bit more, could you describe the symmetry issues diving singles with the Rec Wing?

I like to take pictures, which means I frequently get in head down, sort of sideways positions to get the camera in the "right" spot without disturbing the bottom or the visibility. The same applies even without the camera when looking for the little guys in holes and under ledges etc. When doing that air tends to get trapped on one side of "U" shaped wings, requiring a swing through a head high position to get things equalized again. While this is true with singles or doubles, it seemed a lot worse with singles to me, so I went to the donut (travel) wing that can equalize the sides while staying head low.
Rick

 

[Rick Murchison]

is there a way to edit out a complete double post?

Just shoot a PM to any Mod and they can delete it for you. Someone's usually on line who can handle it quickly. Quicker than you can get back in there and edit out all the words...
Rick

 

[strazz]

Hey Jim,
I was diving with a single E7-80. The drag seemed significantly less than with my Oceanic Flex BC. The new gear performed exceptionally well. I'm glad I got the Rec Wings.

 

[mahjong]

Ditto WWD on the BP/Jr Wing--I still dive this wing, with no shoulder pull-dump, with a single LP95 and a 19 cf back-mounted pony, cold-water/drysuit. No issues. The simple wing-tip clips mean zero tacoing. Also, the outer shell is stretch tafetta (like the travel wing), so it also assists in efficiently venting air. But this does not address the issues asked regarding the Rec Wing.

 

[jim T.]

Hi Rick, Thanks for the symmetry clarification. Now I get it! Thanks for the duplicate posting tip too.

Strazz, thanks for the single tank spec. and experience summary.

mahjong, thanks for the particulars on the outer wing covering. I liked how durable it looked at my LDS, but didn't realize that it actually stretched too.

I'm still getting reaquainted with diving in general after many yrs. absence so haven't started in on underwater photography yet. Those aspects of the moving air around in a horseshoe wing might indeed be something to consider though considering that I might be photographing long before I go with doubles... just don't know yet when I'll have the desire or opportunity to use doubles.
At this point and for the near future, they'd only be used to extend bottom time in relatively shallow areas/NDL dives, assuming I eventually find other doubles buddies who aren't into doing deep/decompression dives for now.

Any other photographers or "butt up" issues divers have Rec Wing experiences to relate using single tanks?

Still going to check out the Oxy wing before ultimate decisions are made but
I do like the Dive Rite rig I've tried on and seen in the shop.
Thanks guys.
Jim T.

 

[mahjong]

Jim T....Rec Wing shell does not stretch (hence the bungee system)...the Jr Wing shell does stretch...however, the Jr Wing stretch shell is not as durable as the Rec Wing shell...The shape and lift of the Rec and Jr Wings are otherwise similar (Rec Wing has ~8#s more lift)...I'd say you'll be fine with the Rec Wing...the one potential annoyance, as pointed out, might be the occasional need to vent when head down...if you are aware of this, however, you can likely eliminate the problem, in part by making certain that you are weighted properly so that you never need much air in your Wing when you are navigating around at depth...no one wing is perfect for all diving situations and configurations, but good technique and proper weighting can make most wings more than versatile enough for most recreational diving needs...(I own four wings--Scubapro Rec and Trav Wings, Halcyon 40# Eclipse, DR Jr Wing--because I'm a hobbyist--but I never actually need more than the BP/Jr Wing--it works more than fine for all my diving needs--I don't dive doubles, but I do dive sometimes with a pony and sometimes without.)...In short, I'm of the mind that technique goes further than wing type...

 

[jim T.]

OK, cool. Thanks mahjong. As I stated near the beginning of this thread, I wanted to be sure that I didn't add a lot of unecessary task loading/learning curve with only 15-20 dives under my belt, using the Rec over a doughnut shaped wing.
Seeing as I mostly dive Drysuit and have to roll and vent the shoulder exhaust valve, most of the time - using the suit as my primary bouyancy control device, I wouldn't be doing anything I haven't already been doing technique wise and should "adapt" pretty easily when diving warm water, wet suit or skins when the Wing will provide all of my bouyancy control.

I'll be sure to let you all know what I ultimately decide upon. Just hope I don't get tarred and feathered if I go a route other than Rec Wing/Dive Rite after everyone's fantastic imput and advice. My 54th Birthday is coming up on Feb. lst, so I should have chosen something by then.