Making an Evo tech friendly

Jeffrey C Gershen

Have now been diving my evo for over a year and have reviewed most threads on changing the configuration to a typical tech harness system, using different bladders, special adaptors, etc. What I haven't understood is why with an OMS backplate and the backplate adapter, one cannot use the stock wing. Once the diving season ends here in the USNE, I wil be making the change over and I want to refrain from unnecessary expeditures if I can. Any thoughts?

Serge

Jeff,

Having recently gone down that road, I can tell you that at least SD do not recommend using a backplate. The reason given was that the backplate restricts full wing inflation. However, without going into too many details, a 1/2-hour experiment in my basement has shown this to be completely false (with a standard SS plate that is). The real reason, I suspect, is that the stock wing simply does not have enough lift - if you stuff the unit with enough weight to dive dry with thick undies, and slinging several bottles.

For what it's worth, my unit dove just fine with a regular backplate with no changes to the wing and enough gas in the suit to feel comfortable. But I did change the wing later on to a 55 lb Oxycheq that I had laying around from my other life.

Hope this helps.

diverrob

I used a regular OMS BP and stock wing for over a year with my EVO and it worked great. I dive on the West Coast of Canada and use a dry suit and have never had any problem with the lift the wing supplied. I have now moved onto a Ali Box and it also works great.

Rob

cramerdn

I have found with a DSS back plate and HOG harness the wing does push foward and squeeze a bit when fully inflated. So with a backplate I have dove successfully but don't recomend the normal wing that comes with an Evo. I am looking for a differant wing as we speak.

If you really want a more tech friendly Evo you need to get the black shell I painted mine since the black ones were'nt out yet. (although I painted it purple)

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matthewbooth

The big problem with the wing that comes with the Evo is that it has 32lb of lift. I tried to get the larger wing from SDS and they wouldn't send it to the dealer where I bought the unit. Not a problem though, as I now use an OMS backplate with my old OMS 45lb wing. Works good for me. I have a SS backplate that I use when I dive with my drysuit. And, I know have an aluminum back plate when I'm in a wetsuit. The only problem with the OMS wing is that it is a little fat on the top with all of the hoses routed over it. I've been looking at getting a new wing with something a little bit flatter over the top. One of these days I'll get around to getting one.

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Jeffrey C Gershen

Rob,

By stock wing, you mean the wing supplied with the rig? I just got back from Scapa Flow and dove the stock rig with a steel 45 and 11lbs of weight in a cf200 + heavy underwear. No lift problem. To me using a ss bp only will reduce the amount of lead one would use in the pockets, etc., so I agree, lift should not be a problem. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. As to other wings, my only concern is when they are fully inflated, will they interfere with access to the O2 and dil valves. Any thoughts?

Serge

There is always one in every crowd.

I have an Oxycheq 55 LB, which works great. It's pear-shaped with more lift at the bottom where it's needed, and fairly thin on top. Worked out very well for me.

Valid concern. In practice, I did not find this to be an issue.

jacko245

Hi,

I've just completed the Mod 1 at Scappa Flow whilst diving an Evo. I had a 3lt cylinder attached to each side of the box for bail out. The lift supplied by the standard wing was not enough.
I am now in the process of changing to my Audax Pro wing which I used with OC.
I suspect the standard wing is purely for shallow warm water diving, when perhaps bail out cyls may not be carried.

Jacko.

Jeffrey C Gershen

Two things:

1. I have dived my evo with an AL 80 on one side and an AL 40 on the other with no lift problems at all so I am unclear as to why you had a problem. The deepest dives I did on that configuration were 140 fsw and I know Scapa is not much deeper than 150. Would like to know what problem you encountered. My desire to change wings is because I am moving on to deeper dives and the rig set up makes it difficult for me to access my chest "D" rings both when suiting up and on the dive itself. MY concerns about an alternate wing, bp and harness is whether when inflated, the wing obstructs access to the bottle shut off valves. I don't think trim will be an issue. I have checked on Oxycheq, et.al., and am close to makning a choice. Not familiar with your wing; do you have a link?

2. Just got back from Scapa; who was you instructor?

jacko245

Are your Al 80 and 40 neutral when in the water? I was carrying steel 3 lt cyls. When on the surface with a fully inflated wing and counter lungs inflated to 75%, my chin was only just above the surface of the water. I accept that as a newbie to rebreathers I may still be slightly heavy, but not that much.
My mate who was diving with the vision had a similar problem whilst carrying an ali 7lt.
As a matter of interest, what is your size and weight and how much lead/weight are you carrying?

My instructor was John Thornton on the Karin. He was very good and very helpful.