Hollis S Series vs Oxycheq Mach V

[jdfmail]

I actually can't tell a difference in size between the Hollis and the Halcyon. Hollis changed the design about a year ago from their original. I prefer the Hollis in my comparison to the Halcyon and it's much cheaper. Can get a nice discount on leisurepro.

 

[redacted]

I've had bad experiences with the HOG 32 lb bladder. After a month of use it busted as I was going through GUE/EDGE in 5 ft of water. I'm never going to buy a HOG badder again.

I now have the Hollis S38. I love it. I use it for my steel 102s and sometimes a pony. It's a great bladder. However, compared to the Halcyon Eclipse 40 lb, it's a monster. The Halcyon is tiny compared to the S38. But I can honestly tell no difference in performance.
Just my $0.02.

Is the HOG a bad bladder simply because it failed or is there some materials or design characteristic that differentiates it from other manufacturers bladders? What was the failure mode?

 

[ot1]

I've had bad experiences with the HOG 32 lb bladder. After a month of use it busted as I was going through GUE/EDGE in 5 ft of water. I'm never going to buy a HOG badder again.

I now have the Hollis S38. I love it. I use it for my steel 102s and sometimes a pony. It's a great bladder. However, compared to the Halcyon Eclipse 40 lb, it's a monster. The Halcyon is tiny compared to the S38. But I can honestly tell no difference in performance.
Just my $0.02.

It just this week I decided that I should get a backplate instead of a jacket BC, and have been trying to decide which.

But I don't get it, water displacement is water displacement. I don't understand how a 40lb can be physically smaller than a 38lb. The manufactures must not be using identical measuring techniques...so if the Eclipse is in fact smaller, it cannot have 40lb of lift. There can't be a huge difference in weight of the outer shells, is there, so the main part of the equation has to be just the volume.

Just my $0.05

 

[mahjong]

I only have experience with the Oxychex. I have seen the Hollis in person and is a nice wing, but when compared together the oxycheq has a thicker bladder. Oxycheq Extreme wing is well worth the extra money. I don't think you could wear it out. If I were you I would get the 40 lb Mach V it is only .5 wider and 1" longer than the 30lb. Here is a video of the extreme
YouTube - OxyCheq Mach V Extreme Wing
Here is a pic of my 40lb Mach V Extreme.....

Doesn't the Hollis have a coated nylon bladder? Nylon bladders are more durable, lighter, less likely to pinch puncture than rubber bladders, and I think they age better than rubber too. The only advantage of a rubber bladder is that they are easier to patch, should you get a puncture. That said, rubber bladders work fine and Oxy's seem to be the thickest on the market.

 

[lurker mike]

Should you puncture a nylon bladder as stated above, how do you seal/repair it?