Wing comparison for doubles.

[Pullmyfinger]

Hi,

I'm putting together a set up for diving doubles.

I dive wet and will be assembling a set of double aluminum 80's. I have an aluminum backplate and webbing harness.

My question is on which wing. I'm considering either of these:

1.) OMS 45 lb. wing

OMS 45 lb. Lift Single Bladder, Black

2.) HOG 38 lb. lift wing

HOG 38lb Wing For Dual Cylinder Diving

I only need about 40 lbs. of lift, the 38 will be plenty for what I need.

My question is more about the quality differences between the two wings. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Since I already have the plate and harness, I'm looking to just get a wing.

Although I may just spend the extra money and get another DSS double package, like their 42 lb wing. I have a single tank package from Tobin, which I love.

I wanted to compare the OMS and HOG wings before I considered a complete package from DSS.

Thanks for your time and opinions.

Mitch.

 

[scubafanatic]

...there are those who feel that diving doubles 'wet' requires a dual bladder wing...admittedly you're contempating dual AL80's, so some might add you'd only need a dual bladder wing if you were diving double steelies.....although if it were me I'd use a dual bladder wing regardless. I'm guessing you at least never plan to dive steel doubles, as your listed wing choices won't have that growth potential.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I have a 32lb oms wing which I use with double aluminum 80's and a 9lb SS plate (when I was diving wet it worked fine and I still use this for diving dry). Hog brand makes an identical wing.

otherwise the 45lb OMS larry green wing works very well and if you need stage bottles or more than a 40 of deco gas you will like the extra lift over the 32lb.

 

[Kern]

...there are those who feel that diving doubles 'wet' requires a dual bladder wing...admittedly you're contempating dual AL80's, so some might add you'd only need a dual bladder wing if you were diving double steelies.....although if it were me I'd use a dual bladder wing regardless. I'm guessing you at least never plan to dive steel doubles, as your listed wing choices won't have that growth potential.

I been using a 45lb OMS Larry Green wing with double 100cft steel tanks, 2 40cft or a 40 & an 80 deco bottles & on occasion an 80cft stage. Seems to work out OK. Admittedly, if I add much more I need to use a bigger wing.

If I needed about 40lb of lift I'd go with the 45 rather than the 38.

That OMS wing might have spent a very long time sitting on a shelf. If you go with it, give it a very thorough going over. Having said that, in all likelihood it will be fine.

 

[DevonDiver]

Diving single bladder whilst 'wet' can be safely done, if your weighting is correct. The GUE crowd have a nice perspective on this. Redundant buoyancy can also come in the form of a lift bag.

Having said that, there really isn't that much in it. If you are comfortable diving single or double bladder, go with it.,...just make sure your drills and procedures for using either are well polished.

Being able to react correctly and effectively is far more important than splitting hairs over minor configuration issues.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I'll be in Guam for at least the next year and a half, possibly longer. My departure date is up to me.

I will only be diving double aluminum 80's while I'm here. When I leave, I may return to Alaska. When diving there I will of course be diving dry with steel doubles.

I returned from a trip there recently, I dove a single LP85 wearing a DUI TLS350 and a 400 gram undergarment.
I dove with my DSS LCD30, Steel backplate and 28 lbs. of additional weight.

When ever I permanently return to Alaska, I'll evaluate what doubles rig to go with, along with which wing.

As for here in Guam, I'm looking for a wing for use with only double 80's wearing a 3mm wetsuit. Most likely with my aluminum backplate.

I can't see why I'd need a double bladder wing, so I'm limiting my search to wings around 40lbs that are single bladder only.

I hadn't considered that the OMS I linked to could probably be old stock, I'm not sure if that could be a factor, but I'll look into that.

The HOG wings seem to be well regarded, the 38 lb. lift would be good for my proposed configuration. Hopefully someone here will have a similar setup and can provide some opinions.

I like the Larry Green wing, from the looks of it. The longer, narrower,horseshoe shape seems nice.

My current single wing is of similar design.

Despite already having an aluminum backplate, I may still end up going with another DSS complete setup ( DSS rocks!)), possibly a Torus 42.

I'll dig around the board while making up my mind.

Thank for the feedback.

-Mitch