Why the big difference in wing prices? Are the pricier ones sooooo much better constructed? For instance for a 30# (ish) . . . :
I think the differences in price probably reflect a combination of branding, production site, materials, and quality of construction. I can’t say that you can develop a mutlivariate equation that will fully account for the price differences that you see, however.
I have a lot of wings, single cylinder, double cylinder, back-mount, sidemount, etc. I have seldom used price as the distinguishing factor, although I have bought and do buy used gear on eBay, to get equipment at a lower price. But, I will share one experience that may be relevant. I have a Halcyon Eclipse 30lb wing (
Halcyon Eclipse - Halcyon Dive Systems). I love it – compact, functional, never had a problem with it, of any kind. Not inexpensive, either, even at shop staff prices. I decided I wanted a second 30lb donut, and since I have some Zeagle gear, I took a flyer on a Zeagle 30lb wing (
30lb Donut Bladder). Its list price at the time was almost 50% of the retail price for the Halcyon, so price was a factor, even at my staff price. It took 4 months for the shop to get it in. Within 4 months of getting it, it started losing air – during a dive I would keep adding small puffs to maintain buoyancy at a given depth. Turns out there was a defect in the wing and Zeagle, to their considerable credit, shipped a new one to me as a replacement. Within, 6 months, THAT wing started leaking as well, and Zeagle, again to their credit, shipped me a new bladder which I installed. I haven’t had any problems since. But, every time I use it I think about that experience.
So, I asked myself, was the ~$150 that I ‘saved’ on the Zeagle really a savings. I have a fully functional wing, but it took me well over a year, and more than a bit of effort, to get there. My experience could have just been bad luck. My Halcyon wing may die tomorrow, etc. And, people kid about the Blue
H tax. But, maybe there is at least substance to the price differential. I have 3 Halcyon wings, including an eBay purchase, and they are all as functional as the day I started using them. As an aside, I subsequently bought an Apeks 30 lb wing (
WTX-D30 Single Cylinder Wing), simply because I wanted to try it out (and later bought the 18 lb version as well). And I have had no issues. Both are very rugged wings, albeit somewhat stiff, and they work well. The 30lb Apeks cost just about the same as the Halcyon, I think. But, I have an ever so slight preference for my Eclipse.
If I were to buy yet another 30-ish lb wing, I would probably try something in the DSS line, simply because Tobin gives such great help to buyers.
