Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Review of OxyCheq 30# Mach V Wing

Short review of the Oxycheq 30# wing. My LDS started carrying these wings and I have heard great reviews of them, so I decided to take the plunge. Mounting was easy with my Fred T SS backplate with STA. No issues. Bolt holes matched perfectly. One modification that was necessary was that I had to replace my 30" LP inflator hose with a 22" hose. The OxyCheq Inflator corrugated hose was much shorter than my previous wing, and therefore this was necessary as my old hose was an entanglement hazard.

Now have about 30 dives on the wing, and have been very pleased. The wing makes a very tight package, and I hardly notice that it is on my back. I have sensed considerably less drag in the water, and also a reduced amount of air that has to be be added or purged from the wing. This has resulted in lower air consumption, and a much more stable horizontal diving position in the water.

For reference, I am about 185#, 6', and usually dive fresh water in Lake Jocassee in the beautiful upstate of South Carolina. With a 7mm Bare Arctic, and a HP 100 cubic foot Worthington Steel Tank, I carry no additional lead.

Here are a few shots of the the Wing:

Photo 1: OxyCheq wing in place on Backplate (partially inflated wing to provide better visibility for the picture).

















Photo 2: Front view of wing. Notice K Inflator, and also the amount of wing extending below the backplate. The wing has a "doughnut" shaped bladder, allowing 360 degree transfer of air top and bottom unlike traditional wings.















Photo 3: Back view of wing. Note ScubaPro Cincher Bands (really like these bands by the way - never had them slip).
















Conclusion: I really like this wing, I think that it is an affordable, well-made compact single tank wing. 5 out of 5 Seahorses.

Dive safe.

Caribbean Blue