Custom Divers TBK Wing

[Kristen]

I've had a look at this wing on the CD website and wondered if anyone has dived one of these and would be willing to give me their views on it. I am interested in using this wing for UK diving and diving abroad with anything from a single 12 up to 12 twinset. I have received one mixed opinion so far but would be grateful for some additional views.

Any views/experiences gratefully received.


Kristen

[Rick Huggins]

<font color='#0000FF'>Kristen,

Would you like to share your mixed review with me, as I also am looking at at CD wing for pretty much the same setup as you.

Ta

[Juz]

<font color='#32CD32'>I have the TDB, and it's performed flawlessly on over 200 dives. Originally used with a 15+pony and then for twin 12s and then for twin 12s with 2 7l steel stages.

The only aspect of it that took some playing with to get right was the position of the inflator hose. I found that for me it didn't come over the shoulder comfortably, I have mine running straight down and is loosely bungeed by my left kidney. This works really well for me as I use a drysuit for buoyancy UW, and to dump/inflate the wing at the surface I just pull dump or press.

Hope that helps.

Juz

[Rob Meddes]

<font color='#8D38C9'>Hiya Kristen.
  Cannot comment on the TDK but like Juz i have a TDB with 12's. The wing has been excellent once you've managed to put it all together for which i'd get help if you can. I did get a split bladder whilst in the Redsea but managed to bodge it &amp; CD repaired it on my return at no cost (apart from postage of course). I have my inflation hose bungeed to my harness on the left chest area under my arm &amp; can use it fine by using the pull dump system. It's out of the way &amp; i've had no problems with it. The wing bungee cord i cut into small sections &amp; then re-attached by knotting each end through the holes so if i do catch &amp; snap one then the whole lot doesn't come undone. I payed a bit extra for the extra pads &amp; think they're worth it. You can't underestimate the effect of being uncomfortable in your dive kit on long dives.
Hope this helps a bit.
Good diving
Rob

[Kristen]

The comment I received (and from the guy's other postings on Divernet I would respect his opinion) was that &quot;the wing does not incorperate a SS back plate and as such is not ideal for twin sets or the kit that acompanies twin set diving (a lot of kit can be attached to the back plate) Its a half way house at best and an oversized single tank wing at worst but I stress this is just my opinion.

The TDB is the most flexable package in the CD range.&quot;

I hope that he doesn't mind me copying his opinion here as he has been v helpful.

I have to confess that from the CD website it is difficult to readily ascertain the fundamental differences between the TDB-TCW-TBK.

As I use a drysuit I will go for the single-bladder version - but which one !!!!

If anyone could highlight the pros- cons- between the wings I would be extremely grateful.

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (KCR @ Jan. 27 2004,13:27)]I have to confess that from the CD website it is difficult to readily ascertain the fundamental differences between the TDB-TCW-TBK.

As I use a drysuit I will go for the single-bladder version - but which one !!!!

OK

The DIR boys don’t like bungees, quick release clips in harness rigs, long inflator hoses and non DIR standard D ring   layouts so DIR divers like Mark will not use CD wings or OMS wings for that matter.

The DIR bungee issue includes amongst its complaints that they are an entanglement hazard. I have never found this to be true and I have crawled inside a few shipwrecks over the years but maybe I have been lucky so far. Several of my dive buddies also use TDB's and they are also wreck ferrets and they have also been lucky so far

The standard CD bungees will cut or snap if snagged so its not really a problem but if like me and most of my buddies you replace them with shock chord it could potentially be a problem.

To address this issue the boys at CD brought out the TCW the technical Cordless Wing. This has elasticised panels to keep the wing tidy when not inflated instead of bungees. The only problem I see with it is elastic perishes, bungee is easy and cheep to replace elastic panels are not.

The TDK is basically a soft backed single tank unit designed for single tank use where the diver prefers a wing to a jacket type BCD.

The VBS is a wing with elasticised panels and zipped panels to alter the dimension / capacity of the wing and allow variable buoyancy characteristics. It also has a wide back section designed to fit on CCR's particularly the Inspiration CCR which happens to be the weapon of choice for the chap who runs CD. (now theres a coincidence  )

Hope this helps

Mark Chase

[Mark]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Mark Chase @ Jan. 27 2004,18:05)]The standard CD bungees will cut or snap if snagged so its not really a problem but if like me and most of my buddies you replace them with shock chord it could potentially be a problem.

<font color='#000080'>Clever stuff indeed, what a great idea

[siltmonkey]

I had a Custom Divers TBK and I couldn't wait to see the back of it - I thankfully sold it.

It's far too big for a single tank, the inflator hose is attached to the front of the bladder (instead of the back where it normally goes) meaning you have to go upright when you want to dump air from the hose, the inflator hose itself is too long and dangles about annoyingly, the harness doesn't fit very well and gives you horrid backache if you spend any more than a few seconds kitted up on land (it did to me anyway) and the weight pouches are awful to load and unload.

There were no good points about it at all. &nbsp;This is a truly execerable piece of kit that should never have been made.

I heartily reccomend you never ever ever buy one. &nbsp;



cheers

r

[j.w.]

Hi probably wouldn't bother with the TBK, the one I had came and went quite quickly as well. Didn't have too much of a problem with the harness once it was adjusted for me, the inflator hose position was okay for me as well. The cylinder straps were an absolute no no, far too much messing about for twin sets for me anyway. I suppose if you are using a single that would be okay once you have sorted out the length.
Best of luck.