Travel Wing?

[AndyDavis]

I am considering retiring my trusty old (very old) Commando. For the past 4 years it has been consigned only for holiday diving as I dive twinset normally in the UK.

If I bury my old commando, I would prefer a travel wing design for my holidays....either purpose built or a lightweight wing & lightweight backplate combo.

I think my criteria for choice are:

1. It needs to be lightweight (either ABS or Ali backpack?).
2. It needs to cope primarily with single (Ali) cylinder diving.
3. It needs the capacity to cope with occasional twinset.
4. It needs to be simple and clutter free.
5. It needs to be stable when dived with minimal weight (usually 2kg in a shortie) and upright on the surface.
6. It needs at least 4 d-rings (2x chest, 2x hip).

Anyone have any recommendations?

Cheers, Andy

[Alan Ewart]

I am considering retiring my trusty old (very old) Commando. For the past 4 years it has been consigned only for holiday diving as I dive twinset normally in the UK.

If I bury my old commando, I would prefer a travel wing design for my holidays....either purpose built or a lightweight wing & lightweight backplate combo.

I think my criteria for choice are:

1. It needs to be lightweight (either ABS or Ali backpack?).
2. It needs to cope primarily with single (Ali) cylinder diving.
3. It needs the capacity to cope with occasional twinset.
4. It needs to be simple and clutter free.
5. It needs to be stable when dived with minimal weight (usually 2kg in a shortie) and upright on the surface.
6. It needs at least 4 d-rings (2x chest, 2x hip).

Anyone have any recommendations?

Cheers, Andy

Buddy tek wing? Light due to plastic back plate and with trinning bands can be used for single or doubles when abroad. Don't own one, but have dived on to 70M with twin stell 12's and 2 steeel stages. Pleanty stable enough with thay lot, and plenty of lift.

Also dived one in a 3mm shorty & a dry suit. Fine in both

Alan

[AndyDavis]

Thanks for that recommendation. I have considered the Tekwing...especially as I am an APValves fan in the first place. As most of the diving will be with a single cylinder (probably Ali 10l overseas), how is the stability with a single on?

My other thought was a lightweight DiveRite Wing and Aluminium backplate? Any thoughts?

[Chris Cherrington]

Have a look at the Agir-Brokk ones they seem to be very good value for money to me. We are having a similar problem but I think we will both buy Transpacs as they do both singles and twins...

Chris

[David Walker]

My other thought was a lightweight DiveRite Wing and Aluminium backplate? Any thoughts?

I've got a DiveRite Venture Wing for singles, and a Classic for twins. To be honest i'm not sure how well the Venture would cope with twins, its possibly a bit too narrow and would just be squashed by the twinset. On the other hand, the Classic would be far too big for a single. Its difficult finding a good option that will cover both singles and twins, although there may be something inbetween that will do both but not as well... Its a problem you'll find with any wing though, so if you only want one then you need to decide whether you want to be better set up for twins or singles.

In general though, if you can find a wing of a suitable size then its a very good combo for travelling, with an Ali backplate. I got an OMS ali backplate from Divers Warehouse late last year, think it was £45 and was great for taking to the Red Sea at Christmas. Despite the fact I took both my wings it was still no heavier than my old BC. I keep a steel plate for the UK though, useful for the weight and means I don't need to adjust the harness moving between drysuit and wetsuit - just swap plates.

David

[Tony F]

Anyone have any recommendations?



Can't reccomend anything but I did look at a Scubapro Knighthawk at the Dive Show: http://www.scubapro.co.uk/products.asp?P=546

I've heard some people rave over them and some not but it may be worth a look. From my inspection it does seen primarily aimed at singles but perfectly able to handle twins (especially twin 10s) with the addition of cam bands (bibos?).

In this form it was very light and very appropriate for travel I thought.

Anyone got/dived one?

[Tony Dwyer]

Thanks for that recommendation. I have considered the Tekwing...especially as I am an APValves fan in the first place. As most of the diving will be with a single cylinder (probably Ali 10l overseas), how is the stability with a single on?

My other thought was a lightweight DiveRite Wing and Aluminium backplate? Any thoughts?

I have a Tekwing. Simple easy to use and it's made by AP.

I converted mine by swapping the original harness for a Beaver weight harness, which has velcro secured weight pockets. So now it's an integrated system. It is primarily used with a single 12ltr & a 3 ltr pony. In this configuration it's very stable underwater. I only use it for surface buoyancy. Fully inflated it lifts me well out of the water but tends to push me forward. I don't fully inflate it and it provides adequate stable buoyancy.

My Avatar pic shows me wearing it. Can't see the thing as it's all behind me. :)

[Buoyant Babe]

I have just swapped my Seaquest Diva for a Diverite Transpac II harness and Travel wing (single tank only). Gives the same lift as the Diva and I love it. Cost £245 for both harness and wing from Go Dive, weighs much less than my BC and is far less bulky to pack if you are travelling.

Diverite also do a Venture wing for singles, and a Trek and Rec wing that can be used for twins or singles. In addition you can get backplates and basic harnesses from them. Check them out out Go Dive here (http://godive.net/gdbcds.htm).

HTH

Helen x