DIR Zone wing.

[Finless]

I received my Diver mag this am and had a quick scan whilst getting numb legs earlier.

The DIR Zone wing was reviewed. Is it the same as the Halcyon?

The failing ........... sorry, poor choice of word ...... erm, slight criticism? that I noticed particularly was the surface support not being too great which is the same as was mentioned when the Halcyon wing was reviewed some time ago.

I just wondered if anyone knew if it was the same wing with a different label or just following the same design criteria.

As far as I (not DIR) am concerned the surface support is one of the 3 most important functions of a wing (others are looking cool and having lots of attachment points ........... I suppose backup to the dry suit is quite important - make that a total of 4 important criteria).

The inference in the report was that at the surface too much of the buoyancy cell was out of the water which leaves the divers head lower in the water than other wings do.

Maybe this is a DIR design requirement to keep under the radar net? Joking aside do you think this is fair criticism? I assume, from the posts I have read, that a lot of you will have moved to DIR from an existing twin set and wing set up so you would better able to respond to my query?

When I bought my latest OMS wing the first point I looked for was surface support as that is the only place I use the wing under normal circumstances.

[Garf]

I was interested to read the "Same as the Halcyon wing" comment. I was amazed by how much the explorer actually does lift you out of the water. If you lie back on it, it's like having your own RIB.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Garf

I was interested to read the "Same as the Halcyon wing" comment. I was amazed by how much the explorer actually does lift you out of the water. If you lie back on it, it's like having your own RIB.

Please note the "same as the Halcyon" comment was mine and had nothing to do with the Diver article. I just remember the low surface postion also being mentioned in a previous Diver review.

Ref 'lying back' I have never really tried that with a wing .... in fact I don't think I could. I do, however, like being a bit higher out of the water on the surface for a comfier wait for collection (always ascend/deco under a DSMB). Obviously, lying back would make all of the wing work rather than the usual vertical position in the water where only the bit in the water is aiding buoyancy.

[Helen F H]

I have a halcyon 40lb wing and never have any problems, even in really rough water.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Porg

I have a halcyon 40lb wing and never have any problems, even in really rough water.

The "criticism" was relative to other wings, although, the article did imply (IMO) that the divers position was low in the water as too much gas was in the the bit of the wing behind your head out of the water.

Maybe because you girls are cute'n cuddly you just float higher in the water?

Anyway, 'comparatively' doesn't matter so long as the users are happy.

I don't want to get you in trouble ..... are you sure you are allowed to criticize if you wanted too? They might be crazy stories told around divers camp fires but some of what I've heard about DIR would make your blood curdle! Oh, that was a bit insensitive ..... has your blood already been curdled?

Please note the last paragraph is for Helen's eyes only and not directed towards anyone else! Jeez, I'm a nervous wreck just posting in here! In fact, if you read the review you may get the impression the reviewer was being very careful not to tread on any DIR fins!

[Gavin Smith]

Originally Posted by Finless

..... has your blood already been curdled?

Curdled no - drained and replaced with that of the "The Father" (GI3), yes.

Gavin

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Gavin Smith

Curdled no - drained and replaced with that of the "The Father" (GI3), yes.

Gavin

You are beginning to scare me now! Alien admins and Doppleganger Porgs! I think I need a clean cork!

[Helen F H]

Thats Darth Porg to you......

[Davey Willo]

I'm diving the DIR Zone 20 doubles wing and its awesome, never have any problem waiting on the surface (it was choppy as at the Farnes last week) keeps me plenty high at the surface but even better than that it seems to have cured the head heavy tippy forward issue that I've been struggling with for donkeys.... Bless you Phil NikNaks

I would highly recommend these wings, and I was a dyed in the wool Halcyon fan.

HTH's
Dave.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Davey Willo

I'm diving the DIR Zone 20 doubles wing and its awesome, never have any problem waiting on the surface (it was choppy as at the Farnes last week) keeps me plenty high at the surface but even better than that it seems to have cured the head heavy tippy forward issue that I've been struggling with for donkeys.... Bless you Phil NikNaks

I would highly recommend these wings, and I was a dyed in the wool Halcyon fan.

HTH's
Dave.

I'm fairly sure your "...." means "years" but I just wanted to be sure that you haven't been putting back plates and wings on donkeys? If you have I hope you did it somewhere secluded lest you made an ass of yourself!

On a serious note were you getting the 'tippy forward' problem with a twin set or just a single cylinder?