Yet another wing size thread...

[anth]

I'm finally going to do it, I'm buying my first backplate and wings. I've used the search button, but hoped that some of could offer some advice on my specific situation. I've decided on a Halcyon Eclipse MC. I thought I wanted a 40 lb wing... but after making a trip to a semi-local Halcyon dealer, I'm not so sure - the shop owner told me that a 30 lb should be "plenty" for me. I'm about 5'7 and somewhere in the range of 150 lbs. Diving in New England, I tend to wear a 6.5mm farmer john and while diving an AL80, I need about 22 lbs of lead. Not having my own tanks, I want to be able to dive any steel single I might reasonably run into. I realize that 30 lbs lift would probably be sufficient most of the time, but it's the thick wetsuit at depth (compression) that concerns me. Also, I wonder about being on the surface in rough conditions with a larger steel tank. The decision is made more difficult by the seemingly small difference in physical size between the two wings. Would a 40 lb wing be detrimental, as far as trim and safety? Or is the 30 clearly the better choice for me?


Thanks in advance,

Anthony

 

[SangP]

Hi there Anthony,

May I ask why you are going for a Halcyon rig when there are cheaper alternatives that are just as good, I know I have Halcyon Eclipse 30.

I've been doing some research recently to get a rig for my girl and although I haven't gotten it yet, it came down to:
Hammerhead AL backplate and harness $69.99 + $44.99
Oxycheq 30 signature wing $340
Oxycheq backplate pad $50
Total of $504.98 this is from the info online, I'm sure your LDS could help you a lot with the price, Dan from discount dive gear was really helpful.

You won't do wrong with a DSS either.

I choose a Hammerhead cus it came with a STA and fits almost any wing. I choosed a Oxycheq 30 signature cus it's an Eclipse without the cost and unlike an Eclipse where the top is bigger than the bottom which would reduce lift, the Signature is pretty even and the total cost about a hundred less.

I'm sure that if you still wanted a Halcyon, Dan could help out too.

Cheers,

SangP

 

[The Kraken]

ANTH,
I currently dive a 6.5 farmer john/jacket, hood and gloves.
My stainless steel back plate weighs in at 6.5 pounds.
I'm currently diving a PST E8-119 steel tank with a filled buoyancy aspect of -12#.
I'm 5'8" and weigh 160#.
In fresh water I require 4# of weight for optimum buoyancy, in salt water 8#.
I'm diving a Dive Rite "Venture" wing with 30# lift.
Works great.
Hope this helps.

the K

 

[theskull]

"And now, for something completely different."

Yes, 30# lift is plenty for you. Unlike many who might advise you otherwise, I enjoy having extra lift at my disposal. Among the reasons I'm willing to admit to for my preference:
When you are rescuing a very small lost anchor from the bottom.
When you are assisting another diver to ascend who is having buoyancy problems.
When you are at the surface and someone hands you their weight belt.

If the price is close and the bigger wing is not so big as to cause significant drag, I say go for the bigger wing. I just ordered a 50# DiveRite wing and STA to attach to my SS backplate for diving dry with a single tank; and this is to replace my large back-inflate BC which has 75# lift.

Just additional thoughts for your consideration,

theskull

 

[scubadobadoo]

I have a venture 30 pound wing as well and am about the same size but thicker than you. I use an al 80 and a dry suit with thick undies and the venture is great. If I had to do it again I might go with the trek wing. I think that's the one with 40 pounds of lift and it's not really tthat much larger than the venture wing. 20 more pounds may be overkill but 10 extra on top of thirty isn't really going to effect you much in the water as far as streamlining goes. It may even help you one day. Hope this helps.

 

[SangP]

Hi anth,

Maybe this thread is helpful:
http://www.scubaboard.com/t89479-oxy-cheq-wing-question.html

I much rather get wings with an outer shell like the eclipse or the signature for added protection and it's cheaper to replace the inner bladder rather than the whole thing when something get's damaged.

Sang

 

[cool_hardware52]

I'm finally going to do it, I'm buying my first backplate and wings. I've used the search button, but hoped that some of could offer some advice on my specific situation. I've decided on a Halcyon Eclipse MC. I thought I wanted a 40 lb wing... but after making a trip to a semi-local Halcyon dealer, I'm not so sure - the shop owner told me that a 30 lb should be "plenty" for me. I'm about 5'7 and somewhere in the range of 150 lbs. Diving in New England, I tend to wear a 6.5mm farmer john and while diving an AL80, I need about 22 lbs of lead. Not having my own tanks, I want to be able to dive any steel single I might reasonably run into. I realize that 30 lbs lift would probably be sufficient most of the time, but it's the thick wetsuit at depth (compression) that concerns me. Also, I wonder about being on the surface in rough conditions with a larger steel tank. The decision is made more difficult by the seemingly small difference in physical size between the two wings. Would a 40 lb wing be detrimental, as far as trim and safety? Or is the 30 clearly the better choice for me?


Thanks in advance,

Anthony

Hi Anthony,


Wing lift is all about exposure suit. Your BC or buoyancy compensator is required, as you note, to compensate for the compression of the neoprene of your wetsuit.

Take your wetsuit, roll it up and see how much lead it takes to sink just the suit. I'd doubt that your 6.5 mil will require more than ~22-24 lbs. Neoprene remains somewhat buoyant down to about 165 fsw, no place you want to be with a single tank anyway.

The buoyancy of various tanks are well known, and if you determine your proper weighting for the typical al80, it's pretty simple to determine how much weight to remove from the belt if you find a steel tank to use.

Moving to a BP&W will probably allow you to remove more than ~6 lbs from your belt. Most jackets trap gas and are 2-6 lbs buoyant even with no gas in the bladder. Your BP&W won't trap gas.

When would a 30lb single wing be too little? You'd need a hugh wetsuit, or a DS with thick undies, or you'd need to be very over weighted with gear. All of these scenarios are much less likely with a single tank.

Hope this helps,



Tobin

 

[JeffG]

I'm finally going to do it, I'm buying my first backplate and wings. I've used the search button, but hoped that some of could offer some advice on my specific situation. I've decided on a Halcyon Eclipse MC. I thought I wanted a 40 lb wing... but after making a trip to a semi-local Halcyon dealer, I'm not so sure - the shop owner told me that a 30 lb should be "plenty" for me. I'm about 5'7 and somewhere in the range of 150 lbs. Diving in New England, I tend to wear a 6.5mm farmer john and while diving an AL80, I need about 22 lbs of lead. Not having my own tanks, I want to be able to dive any steel single I might reasonably run into. I realize that 30 lbs lift would probably be sufficient most of the time, but it's the thick wetsuit at depth (compression) that concerns me. Also, I wonder about being on the surface in rough conditions with a larger steel tank. The decision is made more difficult by the seemingly small difference in physical size between the two wings. Would a 40 lb wing be detrimental, as far as trim and safety? Or is the 30 clearly the better choice for me?


Thanks in advance,

Anthony

Just to give you an Idea...I use a 38lb wing with double 130's...go figure

 

[dulldiver]

Hi there Anthony,

May I ask why you are going for a Halcyon rig when there are cheaper alternatives that are just as good, I know I have Halcyon Eclipse 30.

I've been doing some research recently to get a rig for my girl and although I haven't gotten it yet, it came down to:
Hammerhead AL backplate and harness $69.99 + $44.99
Oxycheq 30 signature wing $340
Oxycheq backplate pad $50
Total of $504.98 this is from the info online, I'm sure your LDS could help you a lot with the price, Dan from discount dive gear was really helpful.

You won't do wrong with a DSS either.

I choose a Hammerhead cus it came with a STA and fits almost any wing. I choosed a Oxycheq 30 signature cus it's an Eclipse without the cost and unlike an Eclipse where the top is bigger than the bottom which would reduce lift, the Signature is pretty even and the total cost about a hundred less.

I'm sure that if you still wanted a Halcyon, Dan could help out too.

Cheers,

SangP

I have that exact set up myself and i love it, but you're going to need to add a set of cam bands to your shopping list.

 

[SangP]

Dang, I forgot bout the tank cam bands, I got some cheap tank bands online via ebay from Trish at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7141522794

But you could go the more expensive route with scubapro cam bands or something which I like, Apollo tank locks for the upper tank band and the cheaper tank bands for the lower part of the tank.
Apollo Tank locks
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7141197500

Cheers,
SangP

Btw, how's your trim cus it may be a bit more difficult using a 40 than a 30 but the advantage of the 30 Oxycheq is it floats higher than the the Halcyon Eclipse cus of the shape of the Eclipse, big on top small at the bottom I wonder why did they design the wing that way??????

I got the Halcyon MC system because I'm interested in doing DIR and don't want to get jeers from the fellows there but only for that reason LOL!