The new Freedom Contour - The Rolex of backplates.

[Akimbo]

Wait until i post pictures of them set up.

Make sure you wear sunglasses (or welding goggles) with that many Freedom Plates in one place. The warranty doesn't cover burned retinas.

 

[TASCPA]

How is the Mares wing compared to the VDH wing?

How is this Mares wing by the way? Strongly recommend it?

Both wings are tiny, with the VDH basically disappearing. Used the Mares wing primarily due to the possibility of wearing a 5mm suit and the additional weight that would have required. 18lbs of lift was just not enough for me to feel comfortable.

Both wings have similar "negatives" when paired with the version of the plate I have. If you want to use the tank straps through the wing, you are limited to the lower mounting holes in the wings. Sounds like the next run will have elongated strap holes. That will be a good thing.

Disadvantage to the Mares: Fabric seems to get soaking wet. Makes the whole unit slightly heavier out of the water and slower to dry.

Advantage Mares: Lift, if you want/need it. Also, the inflator valve is metal and heavy, so it is where I expect it to be not floating around in space.

Would I recommend the Mares? Yes, it is a nice looking wing that balanced the trim for me in both the 3mm and 5mm wetsuits. Dive in fresh water, skins or skimpy shorty wetsuits? The disappearing act of the VDH is really nice.

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

Both wings are tiny, with the VDH basically disappearing. Used the Mares wing primarily due to the possibility of wearing a 5mm suit and the additional weight that would have required. 18lbs of lift was just not enough for me to feel comfortable.

Both wings have similar "negatives" when paired with the version of the plate I have. If you want to use the tank straps through the wing, you are limited to the lower mounting holes in the wings. Sounds like the next run will have elongated strap holes. That will be a good thing.

Disadvantage to the Mares: Fabric seems to get soaking wet. Makes the whole unit slightly heavier out of the water and slower to dry.

Advantage Mares: Lift, if you want/need it. Also, the inflator valve is metal and heavy, so it is where I expect it to be not floating around in space.

Would I recommend the Mares? Yes, it is a nice looking wing that balanced the trim for me in both the 3mm and 5mm wetsuits. Dive in fresh water, skins or skimpy shorty wetsuits? The disappearing act of the VDH is really nice.

Awesome! Thanks for your reply!

How's Fiji? Are you on the Aggressor? I was there last year and had a pretty good time.

 

[TASCPA]

Awesome! Thanks for your reply!

How's Fiji? Are you on the Aggressor? I was there last year and had a pretty good time.

We were at Beqa Lagoon Resort. Thanks to some recent posts by others, we went in with a camp shower and prewarned about "Fiji Time". By the end of the week the times has firmed up quite a bit. Great first trip. Overnight rains kept the visibility down but didn't really affect us until trying to get back to the mainland. Staff worked really hard to keep the luggage dry, but holy cow was it pouring.

 

[uncfnp]

I finally got to try out my VDH 18 wing with my older version of the FP. It was a “luxury” purchase since my old Oxycheq 30 was still in perfect condition. But OMG. The VDH wing is fantastic. Its made well but much more flexible then the built like a tank Oxycheq. It fits my FP perfectly. The camband slots are tight but they are exactly where I need them and once threaded nothing moves.

The combo of small FP and 18 wing is a tiny package and almost no weight at all. Paired with the 63 tanks I dive here in Bonaire its as close to skinny dipping as I will ever get! Thank you @OWIC647

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Both wings are tiny, with the VDH basically disappearing. Used the Mares wing primarily due to the possibility of wearing a 5mm suit and the additional weight that would have required. 18lbs of lift was just not enough for me to feel comfortable.

Both wings have similar "negatives" when paired with the version of the plate I have. If you want to use the tank straps through the wing, you are limited to the lower mounting holes in the wings. Sounds like the next run will have elongated strap holes. That will be a good thing.

Disadvantage to the Mares: Fabric seems to get soaking wet. Makes the whole unit slightly heavier out of the water and slower to dry.

Advantage Mares: Lift, if you want/need it. Also, the inflator valve is metal and heavy, so it is where I expect it to be not floating around in space.

Would I recommend the Mares? Yes, it is a nice looking wing that balanced the trim for me in both the 3mm and 5mm wetsuits. Dive in fresh water, skins or skimpy shorty wetsuits? The disappearing act of the VDH is really nice.

What part of the top slots in the plate didn't line up with the Mares wing?
And I’m guessing this was with the wing in between the plate and bracket with the bolts going through the 11” center wing grommets into the plate, correct?
Just out of curiosity, can you make the wing slots line up with the plate slots if the wing is layed over the rail bars and not securely fastened under the bracket through the holes?
I want to know so I can make the adjustment, so the Mares can be another wing added to the list of wings that will work no problem under the rail bars, as the new design was intended. I really prefer the idea of both cam bands going through the plate if possible. I already made one adjustment for the VDH wing, so hey guys any other reports of various wings and how they line up would be great!
I also narrowed the rail bracket some to allow it to squeeze in between roll control cushions. I need to get as many of these quirks ironed out before I commit to a laser cut run.
I depend on you guys to provide feedback.

...also, I don’t know if I’m supposed to let this out or not, but rumor has it that Bryan is thinking or maybe already has come out with a 22 or 24? lb version and a 30 lb version of his fantastic and magical disappearing wing. The wing that’s so small, that looking at a person with one from the front, it looks like they are freediving.
Sorry Bryan if I was supposed to keep my mouth shut but I couldn’t help myself.

 

[Umuntu]

Advantage Mares: Lift, if you want/need it.

...also, I don’t know if I’m supposed to let this out or not, but rumor has it that Bryan is thinking or maybe already has come out with a 22 or 24? lb version and a 30 lb version of his fantastic and magical disappearing wing. The wing that’s so small, that looking at a person with one from the front, it looks like they are freediving.
Sorry Bryan if I was supposed to keep my mouth shut but I couldn’t help myself.

There are 24lb and 30lb versions of the VDH Wing already on their website the last time I looked. I understand they were listed before and sold out fast.

 

[Umuntu]

I want to know so I can make the adjustment, so the Mares can be another wing added to the list of wings that will work no problem under the rail bars, as the new design was intended. I really prefer the idea of both cam bands going through the plate if possible. I already made one adjustment for the VDH wing, so hey guys any other reports of various wings and how they line up would be great!
I also narrowed the rail bracket some to allow it to squeeze in between roll control cushions. I need to get as many of these quirks ironed out before I commit to a laser cut run.
I depend on you guys to provide feedback.

Eric, for the Apeks Wing (which is similar to the Mares, but in 18lb, 30lb and 40lb versions), I found the grommet holes and top cam bands lined up perfectly on the new FC backplate. But the bottom cam band slots of the Apeks Wing are really low, and extend 1" lower than the slots on the FC backplate.

Both the Mares and Apeks Wings are beautifully tailored on the tank side to shape around the tank at the top and bottom. Which results in less loss of effective lift when the Wing is inflated.

 

[Bryan@Vintage Double Hose]

...also, I don’t know if I’m supposed to let this out or not, but rumor has it that Bryan is thinking or maybe already has come out with a 22 or 24? lb version and a 30 lb version of his fantastic and magical disappearing wing. The wing that’s so small, that looking at a person with one from the front, it looks like they are freediving.
Sorry Bryan if I was supposed to keep my mouth shut but I couldn’t help myself.

Thanks Eric The larger wings were a little late getting into the holiday sale but both are in stock in the website store. Let me know if I can do anything else to help.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Thanks Eric The larger wings were a little late getting into the holiday sale but both are in stock in the website store. Let me know if I can do anything else to help.

Are all the grommet holes and slot measurements/configurations the exact same throughout all the different size wings?