Recommend me a wing / backplate setup.

[Paul Westhead]

Hi all,

My better half is thinking about buying herself a wing...

As I haven't really looked at wings before, I don't really know what to be looking for so thought i'd ask the YD masses for some help

She currently has a buddy commando in a medium, however as the diving is progressing she is looking to move back to her twin 10's. Personally I am not a great fan of the new buddy tec wing (a few people I know have had bad experiences with the plastic backplate) so any other suggestions would be welcomed.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

[RogerViking]

i have a dive rite super wing and s/s plate but cant use it for singles

i do like the look of the new apex wings though.

[MonkeyPony]

Stainless steel backplate (various makes and models about but they all do the same thing. All can be adapted to take a single.

Harness - either just buy the webbing and make your own or buy something like the dive-rite transplate harness (comes in various sizes and includes all the d rings).

Wing - Single or double bladder? bungee or not? Whichever you chose you won't need much bigger than a 40lb wing. Again, they all do the same thing so find one that suits your pocket.

Something like the classic or rec wing would do the job (again these are dive-rite but, like I said, they all do the same job)

[horses45]

I have just got the audrax pro area51 wing with s/s back plate and what a difference but it all boils down to personal intrest as a few people on here didn't rate it i have had a go of a couple of other ones and i liked the area 51 best of all but thats my own preference but dont know any places that let you try b4 you buy.

[Paul Westhead]

interesting thoughts there MonkeyPony,

Why would you go for a stainless backplate over a aluminium one?

what are the advantages between single bladder against dual bladder and bungee or not?

Are there any wings out there that don't have replaceable bladders in incase they go pop?

Thanks for the replies

Paul

[Bottle Maker]

Try and borrow a few different wings and back plates and see what suits, as what I find comfortable may not be the same for every body. I am in Milton keynes if you are diving near me send a PM and I will try and sort my wings out so you can try them.

Graham.

[MonkeyPony]

Originally Posted by Paul Westhead

interesting thoughts there MonkeyPony,

Why would you go for a stainless backplate over a aluminium one? Means less weight is needed on the belt. Helps with trim.

what are the differences between single bladder against dual bladder and bungee or not? Essentially none. They still do the same thing. Bungees help squeeze the air out when you dump but some consider them and entanglement hazard. Twin bladders have a second inflator on the other shoulder in case the primary fails. In reality, with a drysuit, you wont really need one. Good idea if diving a wetsuit though.
Are there any wings out there that don't have replaceable bladders in incase they go pop? Not as far as I'm aware

Thanks for the replies

Paul

Hope this helps

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by Paul Westhead

Hi all,

My better half is thinking about buying herself a wing...

As I haven't really looked at wings before, I don't really know what to be looking for so thought i'd ask the YD masses for some help

She currently has a buddy commando in a medium, however as the diving is progressing she is looking to move back to her twin 10's. Personally I am not a great fan of the new buddy tec wing (a few people I know have had bad experiences with the plastic backplate) so any other suggestions would be welcomed.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

I'd recommend giving Rich Walker a call and see if he could meet up with you to try a range of Halcyon wings and Backplates .... he can also fit a harness for you ..... which is the key to enjoying diving in a one piece harness.

HTH
Mal

[Turtle Dude]

Just something to keep in mind, is that although the mass majority of wings are on hard backplates, there are a few of us with soft backplates ("backpads"?).

I have dived happily with my Zeagle, with a soft back, for over 12 years (and has given superb robust service); which can be switched between single and twinsets in a matter of a few minutes.

I say "just keep in mind" as I am not sure you can get them anymore in the UK (?), which is a shame.

[Paul Westhead]

Thanks for that

One thing I like about the buddy stuff is it's resilience to taking a battering. Hence to reason I bought a commando (old style)

Based on that are there any manufacturers you would avoid?