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Scuba Forum / UK Scuba / January 2005OMS wing and IQ - any views
Looking for a change (haven't bought a new gadget for a while) Any user views on OMS double bladder red wing and IQ backplate (or views on steel / alloy / IQ) Jury seems out on mag reviews, some love it, some hate it..main gripe seems to be on adjustment & setting up banded twins (is it non-standard in some way??) ps - anyone flogging one second hand?? Gordon  SignatureGordon Mackie >Any user views on OMS double bladder red wing and IQ backplate (or >views on steel / alloy / IQ) > I have a OMS single bladder on a home made backplate with their most basic harness (bought some years ago). >Jury seems out on mag reviews, some love it, some hate it..main gripe >seems to be on adjustment & setting up banded twins (is it non-standard >in some way??) I've got another one which is mounted on a combro backplate with a near-hog harness (addition of a non-breaking extended, a la Keith L on the webpage). I've never found problems mounting either wing or tanks onto a backplate. Personally, I don't really see the need for two bladders. I think they may be more trouble than they're worth: I only ever dive in a drysuit. Were I diving in a wetsuit I think I would value the redundant buoyancy. The bungeed wing argument goes on and on. I don't believe the streamlining argument for a moment, but I do think that the snagging hazard is valid. I've never snagged myself, but I think that next time I buy a wing it will not have bungees -- just to cut out one more problem source. I haven't tried running the wing without the bungees, but I might someday. I've just noticed on their website that they have employed two former GUE/Halycon guys and aim to produce a DIR range, which will be very interesting. They already make an un-bungeed wing. I have the 94 lb. lift one, it's way more than I need with 2x12s. I recommend going smaller, unless you want to dive twin twenties with sidemounted fifteens. It is amusing to buddies to have a wing that doubles as a life raft on the surface though... The build quality is excellent, the fabric appears bombproof. I have no real complaints. Ben SignatureBen Panter, Garching My name (no spaces)@bigfoot which is a com. Thanks for that I think I will go for the single bladder and IQ - just need to find a Scottish stockist so I can try one for size Gordon SignatureGordon Mackie I used to have the OMS 100Lb bungeed wing, about 4 years ago, before I changed to a Halcyon Explorer wing. IMHO the Halcyon wing is stronger, more streamlined and, because it does not have any bungee, does not trap pockets of air in the folds. That's not even addressing the snagging issue, which is also important to me when I'm wreck penetrating As far as redundant buoyancy is concerned, as I never dive overweighed or without a DSMB (which has about 18Kg of lift) and I could therefore 'haul' myself up, and that's without even resorting to my 'buddy'. You could also look at the Oxycheq wings. I bought one of their smaller wings for single tank (warm water) diving and have that on my own design of aluminium back plate, its a nice piece of kit with similar characteristics to the Halcyon Eclipse wing. Oxycheq also do larger wings for twins and are probably less expensive than the halcyon. http://oxycheq.com/Wings-Double.html I believe that either the Oxycheq or Halcyon wings are better than the similar OMS products. > IMHO the Halcyon wing is stronger, more streamlined and, because it does > not [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > wreck > penetrating Agreed, the Halcyon is a nice wing BUT I ordered an over pressure valve for mine over 3 months ago. Everytime I chase my LDS they tell me that they're still waiting for Halcyon to send the order. Nick >> IMHO the Halcyon wing is stronger, more streamlined and, because it does >> not [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Nick Change LDS after a month my LDS would take one off there stock and smile saying something like sorry best we can do. David >>> Nick > Change LDS after a month my LDS would take one off there stock and smile > saying something like sorry best we can do. > > David Well, I say local but it isn't but it's the only Halcyon stockist I can find. I'll probably wait until LIDS now. Although Underwater Explorers are the main Halcyon dealer, they are not the only one. You could also contact Halcyon directly in the US as they can advise as to when the part will be supplied. When my wife had a problem with a Halcyon Pioneer wing, Underwater Explorers changed it for a new one without a quibble, the same for an inflator valve for my Explorer wing. BTW I thought that all OPV's are nearly identical, including those fitted to DSMB's? Halcyon certainly don't make their own, its just a 'bought in' item.. > BTW I thought that all OPV's are nearly identical, including those fitted > to > DSMB's? > > Halcyon certainly don't make their own, its just a 'bought in' item.. There are 3 parts to the OP valve. The standard outer shell that incoroprates the pull string is pretty standard but it's the bit this fits onto that I need. Apparently Halcyon changed the design and I've got an older one. The second part is the part that is physically glued to the wing and onto this there is another part which screws on, onto which the outer part fits. I contacted Silent Planet who are the importers and they say that there's a delay from Halcyons side but it must be nearly 4 months I've been waiting. Pretty slack I think and not a good advert for Halcyon if you have a problem. Luckily I can still dive without the valve working but if the main thread had gone it would be useless. > Well, I say local but it isn't but it's the only Halcyon stockist I can > find. I'll probably wait until LIDS now. I wonder if we both use the same LDS which one do you use then ? :-) David > Well, I say local but it isn't but it's the only Halcyon > stockist I can find. I'll probably wait until LIDS now. See: http://www.silentplanet.info/distributors.htm FWIW, my Halcyon drysuit-inflating DSMB blew its one-way valve (somehow!). I emailed the distributor I tend to use (UE), got a reply, popped the DSMB in the second class post on Monday and had a brand new DSMB arrive this morning. My only complaint is that I'm going to have to pinch some more yellow gaffer tape from one of my buddies to label the new one! ;-) Iain |
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