Optima wing selection

zmcave · 29th April 2006, 13:57

Hi all,

as I get prepared to take my optima course in a month or so, I am starting to read some stuff on CCRs (in the Bozanic book) and paying attention to optima stuff on the net (mainly in here). I will probably ask several questions in the hope you guys can help me. Sorry if any of them seems stupid, altough I have a lot of experience in OC, I have zero in CCRs.
My first set of question regarding wings on optimas:

a. what size wings you guys recommend?

b. exhaust valve a good idea? I personnaly changed all my wings to have a plain elbow but, from what I have seen in pictures, there is a lot going on in the divers chest area (Rebreather hoses, counterlungs) and I was thinking that in a situation where you cannot maintain a good trim and use the lower pull to dump valve it would be easier to just pull the corrugated hose rather than elevating the inflator to dump gas.

c. dual bladder / inflators? I have one wing like that (super) and I can't remember the last time I used it. Any advantages in this design with the optima? Also, I dive a dry suit.

d. what about plates? steel, aluminum, or soft?

safe diving,

Zé.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 30th April 2006, 02:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave)

a. what size wings you guys recommend?

I wrote a post on this back when I was searching as well. Look into that. I went with the 50 wing that DR recommends.

Quote:

b. exhaust valve a good idea?

I took off the pull dump.

Quote:

c. dual bladder / inflators?

I went with the single wing but I dive dry.

Quote:

d. what about plates? steel, aluminum, or soft?

I went with an aluminum backplate that I was already using for open circuit.

mikedive · 30th April 2006, 06:44

Hey Ze,

I tried many wings on my unit and one of the best is the Venture but don't give you to much lift; is enough for like a 2 x 40 cf or a single 80 cf stage.
If you plan some deep trimix using heavy stages with out dry suit the option would be the Rec Wing. Lamar use this model on his unit and he is pretty happy.
I personally don't like double wing because is to bulk and you just use it for some special dives (deep/long dive with out dry suit); what I do in this case, is put two single wings together like a Rec and Venture, the second (on the top) off those 2 will be mounted with the inflator on the right and reverse the inflator.
Cheers buddy,

zmcave · 1st May 2006, 11:20

thanks guys! I might use a rec wing that I have and rarely use...

Jason Blackwell · 2nd May 2006, 09:26

I too am using the Rec wing with my dry suit, and the dual rec wing when diving a wet suit.

I use both of the above with the transpac harness with sidemounted bailout.

Cheers Jason

**JPJones** · 2nd May 2006, 13:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave)

thanks guys! I might use a rec wing that I have and rarely use...

The rec wing works the best for me and I have tried them all. You won't need dual bladders you can swim the optima up fine with a wing failure without it.

mikedive · 2nd May 2006, 13:48

Hey Ze,

I agree with with JP, you don't need dual wing just if you are doing really deep stuff but the side mount system for the bail out is very usefully.
Dive Rite has one and you can mount on back plate and TransPac.
Um abraco,

zmcave · 2nd May 2006, 15:26

thanks for the tips guys.

JP: please don't forget the HH manual !!

Zé.

**JPJones** · 3rd May 2006, 12:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave)

thanks for the tips guys.

JP: please don't forget the HH manual !!

Zé.

Done, let me know if it made it.

fr0sty8 · 11th May 2006, 20:15

55LB Halcyon Explorer wing with Harness and SS BP. Perfect lift.

29th April 2006, 13:57	#1 (permalink)
zmcave www.rebreather.com.br Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brazil Posts: 186	Optima wing selection Hi all, as I get prepared to take my optima course in a month or so, I am starting to read some stuff on CCRs (in the Bozanic book) and paying attention to optima stuff on the net (mainly in here). I will probably ask several questions in the hope you guys can help me. Sorry if any of them seems stupid, altough I have a lot of experience in OC, I have zero in CCRs. My first set of question regarding wings on optimas: a. what size wings you guys recommend? b. exhaust valve a good idea? I personnaly changed all my wings to have a plain elbow but, from what I have seen in pictures, there is a lot going on in the divers chest area (Rebreather hoses, counterlungs) and I was thinking that in a situation where you cannot maintain a good trim and use the lower pull to dump valve it would be easier to just pull the corrugated hose rather than elevating the inflator to dump gas. c. dual bladder / inflators? I have one wing like that (super) and I can't remember the last time I used it. Any advantages in this design with the optima? Also, I dive a dry suit. d. what about plates? steel, aluminum, or soft? safe diving, Zé.
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30th April 2006, 02:24	#2 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,137	Re: Optima wing selection Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave) a. what size wings you guys recommend? I wrote a post on this back when I was searching as well. Look into that. I went with the 50 wing that DR recommends. Quote: b. exhaust valve a good idea? I took off the pull dump. Quote: c. dual bladder / inflators? I went with the single wing but I dive dry. Quote: d. what about plates? steel, aluminum, or soft? I went with an aluminum backplate that I was already using for open circuit. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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30th April 2006, 06:44	#3 (permalink)
mikedive Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Brazil, Texas and Mexico Posts: 329	Re: Optima wing selection Hey Ze, I tried many wings on my unit and one of the best is the Venture but don't give you to much lift; is enough for like a 2 x 40 cf or a single 80 cf stage. If you plan some deep trimix using heavy stages with out dry suit the option would be the Rec Wing. Lamar use this model on his unit and he is pretty happy. I personally don't like double wing because is to bulk and you just use it for some special dives (deep/long dive with out dry suit); what I do in this case, is put two single wings together like a Rec and Venture, the second (on the top) off those 2 will be mounted with the inflator on the right and reverse the inflator. Cheers buddy, __________________ Michael Netto - www.rebreatherclubedobrasil.com.br ISC Megalodon CCR instructor and dealer IANTD CCR Trimix and CCR Cave instructor IANTD Dive Rite O2ptima instructor
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1st May 2006, 11:20	#4 (permalink)
zmcave www.rebreather.com.br Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brazil Posts: 186	Re: Optima wing selection thanks guys! I might use a rec wing that I have and rarely use...
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2nd May 2006, 09:26	#5 (permalink)
Jason Blackwell Bloody Rebreathers! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima Dolphin Ray Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Dolphin Ray Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA Posts: 361	Re: Optima wing selection I too am using the Rec wing with my dry suit, and the dual rec wing when diving a wet suit. I use both of the above with the transpac harness with sidemounted bailout. Cheers Jason __________________ Jason Blackwell TDI Instructor Trainer #1358 Optima...Inspiration/Evolution...KISS...and what is next??? www.divedivedive.com.au OZTeK '09 March 2009 Sydney, Australia www.diveoztek.com.au
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2nd May 2006, 13:05	#6 (permalink)
JPJones O2ptima Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima Titan Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 367	Re: Optima wing selection Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave) thanks guys! I might use a rec wing that I have and rarely use... The rec wing works the best for me and I have tried them all. You won't need dual bladders you can swim the optima up fine with a wing failure without it. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
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2nd May 2006, 13:48	#7 (permalink)
mikedive Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Brazil, Texas and Mexico Posts: 329	Re: Optima wing selection Hey Ze, I agree with with JP, you don't need dual wing just if you are doing really deep stuff but the side mount system for the bail out is very usefully. Dive Rite has one and you can mount on back plate and TransPac. Um abraco, __________________ Michael Netto - www.rebreatherclubedobrasil.com.br ISC Megalodon CCR instructor and dealer IANTD CCR Trimix and CCR Cave instructor IANTD Dive Rite O2ptima instructor
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2nd May 2006, 15:26	#8 (permalink)
zmcave www.rebreather.com.br Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brazil Posts: 186	Re: Optima wing selection thanks for the tips guys. JP: please don't forget the HH manual !! Zé.
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3rd May 2006, 12:58	#9 (permalink)
JPJones O2ptima Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima Titan Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 367	Re: Optima wing selection Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave) thanks for the tips guys. JP: please don't forget the HH manual !! Zé. Done, let me know if it made it. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
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11th May 2006, 20:15	#10 (permalink)
fr0sty8 Evo Driver - no standing! Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 158	Re: Optima wing selection 55LB Halcyon Explorer wing with Harness and SS BP. Perfect lift.
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