If we are going to hijack threads, I'd welcome experienced views on the relative advantages and disadvantages of donut wings?
Tobin, I notice on your site you offer both?
Tobin, I notice on your site you offer both?
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This is why. This topic rarely (if it ever has) does anything other than result in ridiculous statements, name calling, and bickering. And why I recommend they be directed toward one of the many threads already out there on the topic.
If you're implying that the use of an integrated inflater/octo is as dangerous and stupid as filling your scuba tank with with a toxic gas, you've just illustrated my point.
If we are going to hijack threads, I'd welcome experienced views on the relative advantages and disadvantages of donut wings?
I use a Halcyon Eclipse for single tank. The greatest benefit I notice with the donut design is that it gives you the ability to easily migrate the air around the wing (by momntarily shifting your trim). This means I can dump air easier/quicker from a horizontal postion and I can hang around in strange positions (attitudes) when taking photos.
Ok, fair enough. So, to further the discussion with an emphasis on the BP/W, and because I'm perpetually curious. . .I wasn't. It was just a (tongue-in-cheek) analogy to illustrate the benefits of discussion, where side-issues may be raised that contribute to the overall topic.
Quite often, people with limited diving experience can fail to see the bigger picture and there is some benefit to be drawn from the experiences of others.
Novice divers, in the 50-200 dive bracket, tend to get settled with an equipment configuration, but have yet to gain the experience to fully appreciate the problems that may still be inherent with that configuration, or the refinements that could be made to it.
In this instance, the OP raised a question about the selection of a BP/W. He mentioned using an AIR2. Given that an AIR2 is a component within the BP/W, other users have expressed their opinions on how that equipment choice could be improved, whilst also quoting reasons why an AIR2 may not be the optimum choice for use with a BP/W. As such, they seem valid contributions to the thread.
*please note, I have yet to display any personal opinions on the use of AIR2...I am only noting the validity of sharing our personal opinions and experiences (if justified) for the benefit of the initial debate.
Wow! Bad day at the office? I can't imagine anyone reading what I wrote and how I put it coming to the conclusion that I'm "bent out of shape" and "baiting for a fight." And based on the other responses directed toward my posts, you're the only one. Everyone else seemed to have a reasonable, non-attacking response.Quite frankly, you are the only one getting bent out of shape here. Do you have something constructove to add or are your just baiting for a fight?
Ok, fair enough. So, to further the discussion with an emphasis on the BP/W, and because I'm perpetually curious. . .
Since many of the arguments against an integrated inflater are against the device itself, they would apply to every type of BC, not just a BP/W. So, with that in mind, what advantages specific to a BP/W are, or might be, negated by the use of an integrated inflater? Tobin mentioned the possibility of a longer hose dangling down posing an entanglement hazard. I would say possibly increased drag. What are some others?
Back to BP/W considerations. This may be a dumb question but I've noticed a lot of folks suggesting SS OR Aluminum wings, and diving SS plates with AL tanks or AL plates with Steel tanks but why is it (AL or SS) and not (AL or AL+STA)? The weight is still evenly distributed front to back but is in line with the tank rather than across the back. It would seem to me that you get the benefits of both types without having to have two different harnesses or refitting the harness if you only use an aluminum plate and add weight using other methods?