Wing for Bi & Mono

[DagauDive]

Hi,

I would like to find a good Wing for using with Bi and Mono thanks.
I'm not sure if that a good idea but some BC/wings makers, like DR, propose that kind of wings (Treck/Rec).
Most of other brands (OMS,Halcyon, Oxycheq, Agir-Brokk) usually give the advise to select the proper wing for the proper tank.
So my questions:
-Do you think that is a good idea to select a wing for both kind of tanks?
-If yes, could you give me some references (brands/models)?

For the backplate, I would like to make it by myself.
-I would like to know if somebody can help me to select a good metal: steel stainless 304-L , 316-L, others / Alu / Titanium, others...?

Thank you for your help

 

[DA Aquamaster]

It usually is not a good idea to use the same wing for singles and doubles.

I have a Rec wing and it definitely requires the bungees to be installed if I use it with a single tank and even then it only moderates the taco effect rather than eliminate it and some rolling is required to dump the wing in a horizontal swimming position.

When used with doubles the rec wing works very well but with a couple of qualifiers. I use it with a backplate and 6.9 inch diameter steel tanks and even with this small diameter the relatively narrow rec wing is compressed slightly between the backplate and tanks and is not getting room for it's full 52 lbs of lift. This effect will get progressively worse with the larger 7.25" and 8.0" diameter tanks. For these larger tanks, you really should have a wing with a wider design like the Classic.

 

[DagauDive]

It usually is not a good idea to use the same wing for singles and doubles.

I have a Rec wing and it definitely requires the bungees to be installed if I use it with a single tank and even then it only moderates the taco effect rather than eliminate it and some rolling is required to dump the wing in a horizontal swimming position.

When used with doubles the rec wing works very well but with a couple of qualifiers. I use it with a backplate and 6.9 inch diameter steel tanks and even with this small diameter the relatively narrow rec wing is compressed slightly between the backplate and tanks and is not getting room for it's full 52 lbs of lift. This effect will get progressively worse with the larger 7.25" and 8.0" diameter tanks. For these larger tanks, you really should have a wing with a wider design like the Classic.

Thank you for your reply.
I use, most of time, single tank (90%/time).
I'm wonder to select a wing like DR Rec (51), look like more dedicated to Bi. Also, I don t like to much the Bungee concept.
In that case, if I select a wing dedicated to single tank, it may be more suitable to select a 30-40 Lbs wing? U or O style?
Could you give me some advice for single wings and for a good brand?

In advance, thank you.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I rarely dive with a single tank and have not personally used any single tank wings so I can't give any first had advice there. In general though, an O shaped wing designed for a single tank would be my preference for single tank diving.

In terms of lift capacity, what is adequate depends on what you are using for exposure protection. A very small 18 lb wing can be adequate if all you are using is a dive skin or a thin shorty. But at the other extreme with a full 7mm wetsuit in cold water, 40-45 lbs of bouyancy may be the minimum needed for comfort. In general, the more neoprene you have the more it will compress at depth and the more lift you will need.

Larger tanks also require larger wings as you have more swing weight from the increased air capacity that in turn requires more lift early in the dive.

Divers also vary in their comfort level on the surface. At the beginning of a dive, an 18 lb wing, will do little more than get a diver's 15 lb head above water and some divers are not comfortable with that, especially in rough water. So the amount of lift needed at the surface to leave a diver comfortable and stress free can often be more than what is theoretically required for the diver at depth.

 

[Boogie711]

I agree with DA Aquamaster. Using a wing for both singles and doubles means getting the worst of both worlds, and you won't be happy with it.

For wings, I and most of this board will recommend Halcyon or Oxycheq's offerings - but get a dedicated wing for singles, and a dedicated wing for doubles... with only as much lift as you need.