Mini STA from Oxycheq

[mbirawaffle]

I just received my new Oxycheq Mach V 30# wing and was going to set it all up. I have a Halcyon aluminum BP, OMS cam bands, and the Oxycheq wing, along with the mini STA's. (How many companies can I advertise for?) I know, I know, the new Mach V has the "roll-control" so that you don't have to use the STA...but, I am going to try both to see what I like better. I am assuming that I should route the cam bands through the STA, but ??? The main problem I am having is this. I try to assemble the STA onto the wing onto the backplate, but the top bolt is not long enough. This may be due to the mismatch of plate and wing, but still seems a little odd. I am still under the impression that the backplate is attached to the wing, which has the STA attached outside of the wing. I have never used the BP/W config for single tank use, and am a bit lost...sure, I could rig something to "work fine" but am seeking some opinions. Thanks!!

[mm_dm]

Did you get the mini STA from Oxycheq? We've noticed a few quirks from them as of late at the local LDS. We got two wings in, same model, with different length corrugate hoses on them, and also had a couple with the low pressure inflator hoses in different lengths. Oxy's been hit pretty hard recently with product demand and I wonder if the component assembly QC is where it's showing up. Their gear is still tops IMHO, but the matching up part has been a little off. If you bought it from them, I'd give them a call and see if they can see what's up with the bolts. Or, you can just hit the local hardware store to match it up and bypass the hassle..

[mbirawaffle]

thanks for the reply! Interesting info about the LDS getting different products that were supposed to be the same(hose). I thought my corr. hose seemed kinda long, but have nothing to compare it to, other than my doubles wing from Halcyon or my SeaQuest Balance BCD. As long as the config. is right (Tank goes on STA, which goes on top of wing, which goes on top of BP) I think I am just going to to hardware store for another bolt.

[mm_dm]

Yeah, you've got it set up right, make a sandwhich with the bladder in the middle. I went to the hardware store and bought a couple of everything, just in case I drop one. I'm not sure what's up with Oxy, but I'm sure they'll get it straightened out...they're a quality outfit. They put a lot of new gear designs out recently and I think they got hit a lot harder than they thought they would.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

Yeah, you've got it set up right, make a sandwhich with the bladder in the middle. I went to the hardware store and bought a couple of everything, just in case I drop one. I'm not sure what's up with Oxy, but I'm sure they'll get it straightened out...they're a quality outfit. They put a lot of new gear designs out recently and I think they got hit a lot harder than they thought they would.

I think your right. When I went with a BP/W almost nobody outside tec divers used them. Now they are getting into the rec diving community. And almost every major internet site now carries at least 1 set of BP/W.

Hmmm......Maybe there's something to this steel plate on the back.

[mm_dm]

Originally Posted by BSea

Hmmm......Maybe there's something to this steel plate on the back.

Hey, if you're camping out at the same time it could double as a dinner plate. Wonder of they're dishwasher safe?

[Gombessa]

No doubt backplates are getting more saturation in the consumer market, but they're still incredibly rare amongst most divers (< 1 dive per month). I only went bp/w because I found out after certification that a few friends dove them, otherwise I would surely have gone with a jacket BC.

I'm looking for a cheap weighted STA now, which looks much cheaper to fabricate than what most are being sold for...