There really should be a sticky! BP/W ???

[Bill22]

There really should be a sticky as I know these questions likely come up over and over again

I'm getting ready to go to a wing for my next BC setup. This will be my first Wing setup so please forgive my ignorance.

I was almost ready to buy a Transpac w/Travel 360 Wing. A lot of people seem to like the Oxycheq though. I had a look at their website and liked a lot of what I saw. The Mach V Extreme appeals to me.

I was thinking something like the Deluxe Adjustable Harness. The photo of the harness shows a D-ring on each hip. Will weight pockets work with this harness? Or would using a weight belt be the way to go. I've really gotten used to my integrated weights and like them.

I'm not sure about the Hogarthian harness since I've never used one. Sometimes depending on conditions we've taken our tanks off in the water and let the boat crew lift them up for us. How difficult would this be in a Hogarthian rig? My current setup (Tusa BCJ-1650) I just unclip one of the shoulder clips and swim out of it.

I was also looking at the SS Travel Plate. I have a DiveRite SMB now and need to be able to attach the pocket for it, else I might consider the Ultra Lite Travel Back Plate.

I would likely need to replace my inflator hose also as I think the hose is shorter than on my current setup. I use a Dive Alert Plus and that causes a standard hose to "bow out".

I am still undecided between a BP and a soft pack like the Transpac or the A-Pack Harness System. I've also looked at some of the Hollis setups and they look good too.

What would the experts here suggest for someone who travels a lot, photographer, sometimes dives in somewhat "extreme" conditions (ie... heavy current, open ocean, etc...), and in areas where there isn't necessarily a dive shop near by. I'm also Wreck and Cavern certified and do this type of diving as well occasionally. When I travel it's almost exclusively boat diving. At home it's pretty much all shore diving and some of that under somewhat "arduous" conditions as far as the entry. I dive in a drysuit about six months out of the year.

When I travel and the other 6 months out of the year, here I'm wearing a 3mm (my philosophy is that if it's too cold for the 3mm, then it's cold enough for a drysuit ). I'll be leaving Japan in about 11 months and may not do much drysuit diving after that depending on where I go next.

I'm mainly thinking about travel though and am concerned about weight, especially since I have so much camera equipment. I only get 20 kilos (44lbs) for checked and 10 kilos (22lbs) for carryon, on this side of the world).

Thanks

[ianr33]

My suggestion would be to go with a metal backplate and simple Hogarthian type harness. All the buckles,pads etc on deluxe harnesses are just fluff.Not needed and something else that can break. If weight for travel is an issue get an aluminum plate. Will only weigh about 1 pound. I never use weight pockets,put standard weights on the camstraps and one directly on the waiststrap. Arrange them as needed to give you perfect trim.
If you really find you need a disconnect on a Hogarthian harness cut one of the shoulder straps and add a buckle there (maybe a stainless one)

Totally agree that if its too cold for a 3 mm then its drysuit temperature!

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by Bill22

There really should be a sticky as I know these questions likely come up over and over again

I agree, but it is discussion board so let people ask or search and talk about it again and again. No harm no foul.

I'm getting ready to go to a wing for my next BC setup. This will be my first Wing setup so please forgive my ignorance.

I was almost ready to buy a Transpac w/Travel 360 Wing. A lot of people seem to like the Oxycheq though. I had a look at their website and liked a lot of what I saw. The Mach V Extreme appeals to me.

Oxy makes very nice gear you won't regret going with one of their rigs.

I was thinking something like the Deluxe Adjustable Harness. The photo of the harness shows a D-ring on each hip. Will weight pockets work with this harness? Or would using a weight belt be the way to go. I've really gotten used to my integrated weights and like them.

I'm not sure about the Hogarthian harness since I've never used one. Sometimes depending on conditions we've taken our tanks off in the water and let the boat crew lift them up for us. How difficult would this be in a Hogarthian rig? My current setup (Tusa BCJ-1650) I just unclip one of the shoulder clips and swim out of it.

I recently went through the same process you're going through and initially thought I would need the deluxe harness etc. since I have a huge wing span, but if you set up the Hog harness correctly (Leaving enough room on your shoulder straps) it is very simple to get on or off it's just different than using buckles.

Depending on how much ballast you need you could do what ian33 suggested or you could add small pockets for ditchable weight as well. Dive Rite, XS Scuba, OMS, Oxy, they all make them.

I would likely need to replace my inflator hose also as I think the hose is shorter than on my current setup. I use a Dive Alert Plus and that causes a standard hose to "bow out".

The wing will come with a hose that will fit the length of the corrugated inflator hose. Depending on where you order from you could request a shorter hose. BTW, I keep my DA+ in my pocket should I ever need it uw I'm able to put it on no problem. I don't like how heavy/bulky it is on the hose.

[Splitlip]

I am on bard with Wiz and Ian.

If you are diving a BPW, don't do it half assed. Get a metal plate.

1 piece harness is the way to go. If you don't like it I will buy it (at a reasonable price) as I am setting up a 3rd BPW for me and my kid.

I used to keep my Dive Alert clipped in a pocket, not on the inflator. I have 12" corrugated hoses so the dive alert will not work on them.
You have the DA +, which you would want connected so you need at least a 16" corrugated hose.
I now keep my DA on a dedicated LP hose I use to inflate my DSMB.

[Bill22]

Thanks for everyones input .... I think I've pretty much settled on the Oxycheq Mach V. Now it's between the Razor and the Extreme. The Razor is available in 18lbs, the Extreme would require me to go 30lbs. Overall I'm leaning towards the Extreme. The Razor would be good for travel, but I feel I would need the extra lift diving here in Japan. I'm usually diving around 24lbs of lead in my drysuit.

Any recommendations on a BP for the Extreme? Anyone try the SS Travel BP from Oxycheq? Dive Rite BP's seem to get good reviews and people seem happy with Hammerhead also.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by Bill22

Thanks for everyones input .... I think I've pretty much settled on the Oxycheq Mach V. Now it's between the Razor and the Extreme. The Razor is available in 18lbs, the Extreme would require me to go 30lbs. Overall I'm leaning towards the Extreme. The Razor would be good for travel, but I feel I would need the extra lift diving here in Japan. I'm usually diving around 24lbs of lead in my drysuit.

Any recommendations on a BP for the Extreme? Anyone try the SS Travel BP from Oxycheq? Dive Rite BP's seem to get good reviews and people seem happy with Hammerhead also.

They no longer offer the Razor, but they do have the Signature Series Mach V in 18#. I just bought one and used it yesterday. Excellent!

I posted elswhere here the 18# just works for me with my winter rig. I'll use my 30 until the summer.

[Bill22]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

They no longer offer the Razor, but they do have the Signature Series Mach V in 18#. I just bought one and used it yesterday. Excellent!

I posted elswhere here the 18# just works for me with my winter rig. I'll use my 30 until the summer.

I didn't know they had been discontinued... when I checked the Oxycheq website, sure enough it was gone I should probably buy this one quick if I want it... OxyCheq Mach V Razor Wing reviews and discounts, OxyCheq

The Signature that I see here on scubatoys is only being offered in 30lb, but an 18lb is listed on the Oxycheq website. I would guess that scubatoys would order it for me if I decide on it over the Extreme

[mm2002]

From what I saw (Tim, correct me if I'm wrong), the 18# would be good for a fresh water rig in warm water, but I don't see it in cold or SW. I dive a 30# sig, and a 40# extreme, both with stainless plates. For all practical purposes, I would pick one of the two, but not the 18.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by Bill22

I didn't know they had been discontinued... when I checked the Oxycheq website, sure enough it was gone I should probably buy this one quick if I want it... OxyCheq Mach V Razor Wing reviews and discounts, OxyCheq

The Signature that I see here on scubatoys is only being offered in 30lb, but an 18lb is listed on the Oxycheq website. I would guess that scubatoys would order it for me if I decide on it over the Extreme

No, the Razor is not available at ScubaToys. (I tried to buy it)They need to fix the site. What they do have is an 18 # Mach V.

Careful however. If you are only going to have 1 wing for a while, I would get the 30#.

Tell us more about the diving you do, exposure protection, weight you carry, whether you use steel or aluminum tanks, if you will be using steel or aluminum plate etc...

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by mm2002

From what I saw (Tim, correct me if I'm wrong), the 18# would be good for a fresh water rig in warm water, but I don't see it in cold or SW. I dive a 30# sig, and a 40# extreme, both with stainless plates. For all practical purposes, I would pick one of the two, but not the 18.

It'll work in any warm water where not too much weight is needed to compensate for exposure protection. Granted in salt water you may need more weight on the rig, but not a deal breaker.

My kid wears 6# with a shorty, jacket BC and an aluminum tank.

This 18# wing would be perfect for her even with a steel plate as her ballast and aluminum tank.

steel plate, -5.5 pounds. STA, -.5 # (there is her 6 #) , regs -2#. Aluminum 80 (luxfer) -2#. Hardware, -2#. Total negative 12 #. Wing is 18.