DwainT
Contributor
RECON SIDEMOUNT SYSTEM Preliminary Images Below
As many of you know, we have been working on a sidemount wing for some time now. We have completed all of our testing and production is now scheduled.
The sidemount wing and harness system will be called the RECON (single inflator) and the RECON II (dual inflator).
Our vision for the RECON sidemount wing was not all that different than
our other wing designs. The mission was to develop a sidemount wing and plate/harness system that was streamlined, balanced, comfortable and durable with a 360 loop with approximately 55# of lift.
The RECON provides horizontal attitude without adding lead to balance
out the wing. In addition, it is the most streamlined sidemount wing on
the market. Durability was not a concern, the RECON and RECON II will
be available in both Signature Series and Extreme Series versions.
Since OxyCheq was the first manufacturer to develop a 360 loop for
doubles, we are very familiar with the benefits of this type of loop
versus a U-shaped wing and we would not settle for anything less. In
our view, a U-shape design would be taking a step backwards and we
prefer to leap forward.
Adding lead weight to the upper harness when diving doubles (when lead
is not necessary) in order to trim out properly only results in less
buoyancy of the wing. The RECON is shaped to place gas (buoyancy) where it is needed without the use of trim weights. This also results in a
lighter system when traveling.
Not only is the RECON very streamlined, but it's low profile to allows
you to get into tight overhead spaces with less equipment wear. The
benefits are simple, less damage to the environment and less wear on the
wing while allowing you to get into tighter spaces.
As always, we like to advance the bar with our designs. With a U-shaped
wing, dumping gas can be an issue due to very tight spaces and the
smaller the space, the more difficult it is to move the gas from one
side to another with a U-shaped wing. With a 360 loop wing, even with
limited space dumping gas is performed much easier. The "funky chicken"
is no longer a required skill.
Inflator elbow placement has always been a concern to sidemount divers.
In typical elbow placement, the elbow sits on the back and often can
scrape against the ceiling resulting in equipment wear or failure, a
damaged environment or getting snagged. In recent times, divers switched the elbow and dump valve because the dump valve has a lower profile. Knowing this, we placed our elbows in a position never done before. We placed the elbow on the very top of the wing.
Existing dual bladder/dual inflator sidemount designs have an elbow on
the back of the wing and one on the front. We never liked that type of
design and were the first to place both inflators on the back about 6
years ago. With the RECON II (dual bladder/dual inflator) we placed
both inflator elbows at the very top of the wing. This results in the
same length of hoses positioned in the same area every diver is
accustomed to. Also, the system is more comfortable to wear because you do not have an elbow or dump valve rubbing against your back.
The RECON consists of two major pieces. The wing and the
plate/adjustable harness system. The harness has a Fastex clip on each
side of your chest, an adjustable chest strap, a waist strap and an
adjustable crotch strap. There are three d-rings on each side of your
chest and two on the crotch strap. The plate has a total of eight one
inch d-rings. The plate and wing have two pair of grommets which allows
the diver to move the plate further up or down on the wing to get a
proper fit. The butt section of the plate has two pair of grommets
allowing the diver to fine tune the distance of the pull handles. The
RECON was designed as a one size fits most --- and it does, and does
exceptionally well. Other features include a retraction band system and
wing tie downs. This helps keep things tight in those small areas and
eliminates wing taco.
We not only welcome you to compare it to the competition, we strongly
suggest you do. Once looking at them, we know your decision will be
easy.
In terms of our goals, we accomplished them and believe we once again
set the bar higher in buoyancy system design.
Estimated availability is late June to early July, 2009.
We are now taking orders and some dealers have already placed orders for them. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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