Thanks. The reason I ask is, I am told by Halcyon that I am OK diving with 27
llb pioneer wings with a single Al80, 7 mm farmer jon and jacket and 14Ilbs of
ditchable lead, and  SS backplate (6 lbs negative).
I do half of my diving in the north atlantic and the other half in warm water.
(Curacao next month!). In warm water I dive with a shorty or 5 mm full suit
depending on the where and when of the location and 6-8 Ilbs. I am told 27's are
ok for both applications. Your thoughts?
Anthony

Mike Wallace wrote:

> Mornin' Anthony...
>
>  I always dive dry in a DUI TLS350 shell suit. Undergarment will be either a
> 200g or a 400g depending on where and length of dive. Tank will usually be
> either an alum 80 or a steel 95.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Anthony Agliata" <[log in to unmask]>
>
> > Mike,
> > can I ask what your exposure suit/tank situation is when you are diving
> your 27
> > Ilb wings.
> > Anthony
> >
> > Mike Wallace wrote:
> >
> > > "lo Ed...
> > >
> > > The backplate really doesn't matter. So are heavier than others, so you
> can
> > > reduce the amount of lead on the belt but they are all basically built
> the
> > > same. Wings on the other hand can be very different. I like the Halcyon
> > > because of the heavy covering and the material that the bladder is made
> of.
> > > Also the inflator hose is the correct length. Dive Rite also makes a
> good
> > > wing. The OMS fall short of what they should be.
> > >
> > > I have three sets of Halycon wings, the 18lb, a 27lb and a 55lb. The
> smaller
> > > wings don't give access to the bladder and I have poked a hole in the
> 27lb
> > > set. I shipped them back to Halycon and they patched the hole and got
> them
> > > back to me in less than a week at no charge, even though the hole was my
> > > fault. The 18lb wings are too small for the diving that I do around
> here, so
> > > I am selling them and sticking with the other two sets. Actually, I am
> > > buying another set of the 27lbs for my son.
> > >
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Ed Graves" <[log in to unmask]>
> > >
> > > > I'm sure this has been asked before, but who do you backplate & wings
> > > divers recommend for equipment?  Halcyon?  OMS?  Joe's Garage?
> > > > I fondly remember my first set-up (1972), it had an orange plastic
> > > backplate (Heathways?), bolted to a steel 72 with stainless steel(?)
> bands.
> > > No BC or wings, and oh! so easy to put on.
> > > > Thanks Lee for the memory flashback.
> > > > Ed
> > > >
> > > > ------Original Message------
> > > > From: Lee Bell <[log in to unmask]>
> > > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > > Sent: June 8, 2000 4:17:21 PM GMT
> > > > Subject: Re: [SCUBA-SE] Dive report Riviera Beach
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > David Strike wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > As its my intention to only ever again dive a single cylinder,
> (mines a
> > > > > steel), I'm opting for the same lift as my current wings give me -
> 45lb
> > > > > lift.  However, any advice or opinions on this would be greatly
> > > > appreciated
> > > > > before I actually part with the hard earned dosh!  :-)
> > > >
> > > > My, oh my.  That sounds like a great deal of excess lift to warm water
> > > wimp
> > > > me.  Hopefully one of those who use plate/wing combinations for a
> variety
> > > of
> > > > diving situations will be able to help more.  My travel wings, with
> only
> > > 18
> > > > lbs of lift, are as much as I ever expect to need, but this may not
> apply
> > > > equally well to you or anyone else.  With the stainless plate and my
> tanks
> > > > (neutral when empty compact 80 aluminum tanks), I wear no weight in
> warm
> > > > water and only 4 lbs with my 3mm wetsuit (in salt water).  18 lbs is
> > > enough
> > > > to float my equipment, including the most lead I ever carry and enough
> to
> > > > raise me sufficiently at the surface to meet my needs.
> > > >
> > > > I'm starting to get the urge to have and dive doubles, which will
> require
> > > > something different, but so far, I've resisted the temptation (and the
> > > > rather substantial cost for bands, new valves and manifolds).  I don't
> > > dive
> > > > deep enough to need them when diving from my own boats and know of no
> > > local
> > > > charters that would be pleased to see me disappear from their deck for
> the
> > > > couple of hours that doubles would make possible at the depths I dive
> when
> > > > chartering locally.  One boat that is becoming a regular for me, is
> > > already
> > > > complaining about having to wait while I use no more than about 2/3 of
> the
> > > > air in my present single 80.  Their comments are partly a complement,
> > > partly
> > > > a joke, but also partly serious.
> > > >
> > > > The only advice I have is:
> > > > 1. Find someone who knows the system better.
> > > > 2. Buy only what you need.  Excess lift brings excess clutter in the
> local
> > > > and travel baggage and excess drag in the water.
> > > >
> > > > Lee
> > > >
> >