Mixing OMS and DSS?

[MikePierce170]

Hey guys,

I apologize if this topic has been discussed before. But if it was I didn't have any luck finding it in the archives. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has played with these two combos. I'm looking to use a DSS SS Backplate (with 8.1lb weight attachment), an OMS Comfort Harness System II, and an OMS Elastomeric Retraction Band BC Single Bladder 45 lb. lift. I emailed both manufactures and DSS said they didn't see why it wouldn't work together. And the rep from OMS couldn't really comment on if they were compatible with one another. I'm just curious if anyone has mixed and matched these two systems or has any knowledge of them working together. Thanks!!!

 

[halocline]

Oh boy....it's the "greatest backplate in the world meets the bungied wing of death" thread. This ought to be entertaining.....

In all seriousness, if the slots match up, it'll work. There's something a little weird about mixing gear from a company with about the best reputation for customer service with gear from one with a horrible reputation. Notice how Tobin said "no problem" and OMS said "no comment".

 

[JahJahwarrior]

What sort of problems were you expecting to have? It's material...it doesn't care what you mix it with.


That is the beauty of backplate and wing design, you can mix and match parts from virtually any backplate with virtually any wing and virtually any basic harness by nature of the standardization. Most plates are basically the same, most wings have connection holes in basically the same position/spacing, and most harnesses are built from the same size webbing to go through the same size holes on backplates.

Any particular reason you are so set on that combination of items? Tobin's wings are just as high quality as his plates, and I believe parts from him are cheaper if you buy a combination. I don't know what harness he offers or how it compares to the OMS harness, but I've honestly never noticed a difference when using various harnesses...when wearing a drysuit/wetsuit, I can't easily tell a difference between "comfort" harnesses and basic 2" webbing harnesses.

 

[MikePierce170]

JahJahwarrior...

Honestly I'm not dead set on the OMS stuff. My dive buddy/instructor has an OMS rig that works pretty well, for him. The reason I kinda like the OMS wing is because as the wing deflates the bands compress on the wing. I'm not left with a limp floppy wing floating around in the water. It just seems (in theory) to create less potential snag points and less drag in the water. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to start a wing war hahaha. Again, it just seems to be more streamlined to me, if for only those 2 points.

As far as problems mix matching gear... My main concern was with the DSS SS Backplate. If I add the additional 8.1lbs bolt on weights I don't know if that would somehow interfere with the wing, etc.

mattboy, you do make a good point. I did find OMS's response from President John Griffiths a little annoying. I kinda felt the he just didn't care.

Anyway, sounds like it'll all match up. You guys have any recommendations or insights?

 

[halocline]

Oh, I just assumed you already had the OMS wing. If you're thinking about specifically buying one, I would say forget it. Tobin's wing/plate combination allows you to take advantage of the extremely convenient mounting system, which basically allows you to just pull the wing off the plate for cleaning, travel, and storage. Plus his wings are better designed than OMS wings, and a 45 lb bladder is almost certainly far too big for a single tank. (assuming that's what this is for) So they take the way-too-big wing and add bungies to it in an attempt to make it better for a single tank.

I would reconsider and go for the DSS package.

 

[Blue982]

Anyway, sounds like it'll all match up. You guys have any recommendations or insights?

A lot of people will argue against retraction bands and comfort-type harnesses as being too complex, adding drag and increasing the risk of entanglement (number of "snag points"). A simpler system with a one-piece harness and a unbanded wing is in most ways superior once you're underwater.

Here's my reasoning:

Underwater, there's usually a small amount of air in any bc: if there isn't you've got nothing to vent as you go up (and are improperly weighted). This small amount of air keeps the buoyancy cell snug against the tank and fairly streamlined. This is assuming you have a wing that is not too large for the diving you're doing - then your problem lays in initial selection (a very rough ballpark is ~20lbs for single tank warm water, ~30lbs for single tank cold water). At the very least, a properly sized and unbanded wing is unnoticeable and not floppy. Bands make sense on land, where an empty bag does flop, but underwater it sort of takes care of itself.

The other disadvantage of retraction bands is the drag. Just like you don't see airplanes with lots of superfluous straps, you want to reduce the amount of stuff you're dragging around with you. It will make you more streamlined and thus you will either: go faster or have to work less hard. Because they're not providing an advantage (unless you're diving an over-sized wing), I believe an unbanded wing to be superior.

The comfort harness is designed like a high-end hiking backpack. All the comfort and straps you need to hike and be comfortable lugging a lot of weight. Sounds just like lugging around that heavy tank - except that most of the time diving you spend underwater. A BC (jacket, back-inflate or bp/w) is never really pulling on you underwater because the harness is mostly to keep it snug and not to support a lot of weight.

The comfort harness is really only superior during the walk to and from the dive site (usually short) or the climb back into the dive boat (even shorter). A lot of people (myself included) choose a simple, less-expensive and more streamlined one-piece harness. This is made of a single piece of two-inch wide webbing and hardware components (D-rings and tri-glides to secure them). It is a bit less comfortable on land, but honestly for the five minutes you have to support the weight of the tank, it feels pretty much like any other BC. Underwater though, you feel less encumbered and sleeker because there are no thick padded straps or extra D-rings to get in the way.

 

[MikePierce170]

mattboy, Blue892 thank you both.

After reading what you posted Blue892 it makes sense. Now here's my problem... Where the hell do I find a GOOD harness haha? So I think this is what I'd like Blue982... something that looks like this:

only without the shoulder pads. I like having those quick release clips under the arms. In my area I do mainly cold water diving with a drysuit. It makes it nice when taking the harness off.

 

[Kern]

Matt, I find my OMS 45lb Larry Green wing to be well designed & made. When diving doubles I often wed it to my SS DSS plate.

Mike If you're going to use your wing with singles, the centre panels are so wide in my 45lb'er that even with your wing bungied down, I think it may still have a considerable taco.

In keeping to a theme, if you want a good singles wing, Tobin makes a 40lb'er I think. Do you really need/want such a large wing?

 

[Blue982]

Rigging Instructions
Sizing Instructions

Cheapest and My Preferred Source for Harness
Buckle from Above Source

Cheapest Source for Buckle

My Preferred Wing

 

[eelnoraa]

I wonder, if you are already getting DSS plate, why not DSS wing. DSS, in my opionio, designs and makes some of the best wing out there. The other wing I would recommand is Oxycheq Mack V. They both don't require STA as they have built in pillow to support tank. DSS can be taken off without unthreading cam band. Oxycheq has tougher outter shell and more streamline profile.

Also check to see if you really need 45lb. If you can take 40lb, the Oxycheq is a lot more streamline and it is without bungee.

As for comfort harness, I have no problem with that. I use DiveRite on cold water SS plate. But I also have one piece HOG for warm water AL plate. So far, I prefer comfort harness mainly because of the adjustibility. I can easily make adjustment even underwater. In term of comfort level in water, they are about the same.