New Wing!

The best part about Diving is getting new gear! Almost like a kid at Christmas. Anyway, recently purchased a new OxyCheq 30# Mach V wing. I've admired these wings for some time, and since my LDS has finally started carrying the OxyCheq line, I decided to take the plunge. The make of the wing is high quality Black Cordura, with the word "OxyCheq" stitched distinctly down the side of the wing in a bright gold lettering. Compared to my old Deep Outdoors (DO) 34# wing, the OxyCheq seems substantially longer, and much much narrower. In my early days of diving (with my Zeagle Ranger) I used an alternate air source Inflator, but I have long since gone for the more traditional inflator, and a dedicated (bungeed) Alternate Second Stage. The OxyCheq wing has a high quality Power Inflator as part of the package.

After mounting the wing to my backplate and dry fitting to my standard Worthington HP Steel 100 cuft Tank, I found that the bottom of the wing touched the ground, where the DO wing did not ride that low. A nice design feature is that the OxyCheq wing connects on the bottom to make a "doughnut" air bladder configuration. This was one of my complaints with the DO wing, and would allow some off balance air-trapping. Although this was never a major problem, I did feel that this did not help with trim since I often use the rear pull dump (only on one side) when in the horizontal position to manage bouyancy. With the OxyCheq, this bladder connection on the bottom will allow air to flow from one side of the bladder to the other.

One adjustment I had to make as a result of the new OxyCheq Wing to to replace my LP BC inflator hose from my First Stage. My old hose was 30", and this was waaaay too long for the new wing (with shorter corrugated hose). I ended up replacing it with a 22" hose, and this was still maybe an inch or two too long. During my Cavern course earlier this year, a shorter corrugated hose was one change recommended by my NSS-CDS Instructor, Mr. Johnny Richards.

I really like the nice tight package this wing makes, and can't wait to dive it! I will have a good opportunity to fully evaluate the wing since I am getting ready to head to Honduras in two weeks for a much deserved dive trip!

More on the in-water evaluation after I get back.

Until then, dive safe!

Caribbean Blue.