Which wing, DR Rec or Trek?

[Schwim]

Hi all,

Thanks to all the great info you've provided in recent threads, my wife and I decided to purchase the DR Transplate and wing with SS BP, SS cam straps, bolts and weight package ($449 with mfgr warantee, what a great deal). We will be diving primarily singles, both in Carribean and locally in cold water in drysuits, and who knows where else in the future. We are first and foremost recreational oriented divers, but I'd really like to get into some more technically oriented things at some time in the not-to-distant future, ie. caves, wrecks, mixed gasses, etc.

It sounds like the Venture wing (30lb) is what a lot of folks prefer. I don't believe that this in an option, only the Trek (45lb) or Rec (51lb). The Classic is also available but can't be used with singles. It looks like the rec can be set up in a very low profile way when using singles but would also be good for possible future use with doubles. Would the rec be a good choice to make now even though it will mostly be used for singles, at least initially? I know it's not ideal to "bridge" with less-than-optimal equipment for the task if we don't really need to. Should we consider 2 wing sets, and if so, which ones? What would you all recommend we select with this package? :06:

Thanks much,
Schwim

 

[cool_hardware52]

Schwim,

Imho few wings really work well with both single tanks and doubles. It's more about shape than lift.


30 lbs is about right for a single, unless you have a very unique rig, and very heavy large wetsuit.

45 or 51 lbs is fine for most doubles.


Tobin

 

[archman]

After a few years of "dealing" with my RecWings for both Caribbean and cool Texas waters, I finally threw up my hands last spring and got a wonderfully compact set of Travel Wings (similar to the VentureWing). Oh what a difference!

Like cool_hardware said, getting a wing that performs well for both singles and doubles is iffy. For tropical diving, a big 'ol RecWing is extreme overkill for single-tank diving. Plus people will make fun of you... I KNOW.

I'd get the VentureWing for now, as that's optimal for the diving you're NOW doing. If/when you ever venture into more technical junk, that would be a good time to consider a larger wing, not before.

 

[RichLockyer]

Ditto.
The Rec is a decent wing for a large steel single tank... certainly overkill for the tropics. I wouldn't double more than a pair of 80s on it, but even then it's really too narrow to properly wrap the tank and provide a decent "keel" effect like a proper doubles wing would.

 

[OneBrightGator]

Tritto.

Go with the Venture, awesome wing, whomever you're buying from should be able to swap it in.

Ben

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Another vote for the Venture wing ... IMO it's the best singles wing Dive Rite makes (and I've tried 'em all). If it costs you a bit more to go this route, pay the money. You won't be sorry later.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Schwim]

Well, I made the switch to the venture before the order was shipped, not a problem. Thanks again guys, Schwim.

 

[OneBrightGator]