halcyon wing

> > Probably just by checking the inflator - if the
> > inflate/deflate buttons are red then it's an old wing. If
> > they're silver, however, it's a new-style wing...
> >
> And if they are black?

Earlier (?first) series wing.

Iain

"Jeff S" <jeffNOSPAMPLEASE@razorworks.com> wrote in message
news:bq71lg$p91$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
> "Iain Smith" <iainmsmith@btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:5fDxb.782$Hy3.7@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
> > > > Probably just by checking the inflator - if the
> > > > inflate/deflate buttons are red then it's an old wing. If
> > > > they're silver, however, it's a new-style wing...
> > > >
> > > And if they are black?
> >
> > Earlier (?first) series wing.
> >
> > Iain
> >
>
> Slightly OT, does anyone else find them a bit awkward to use? I find the
> deflate button a real pain, not exactly ergonomically designed. I've
started
> just pitching forward slightly and using the valve at the base of the wing
> because it's easier!

I think that's probably the general idea as the inflator hose is often
looped through a small peice of bungee attatched to the left hand chest
D-ring so it would be rather difficult to dump air through the inflator
unless you're vertical in the water. As you're supposed to ascend in a
horizontal position, it's much easier to dump excess gas through the pull
dump at the base of the wing.

"Rudy Benner" <benner@BOGUS.personainternet.com> wrote in message
news:vsd1a88p1h83d4@corp.supernews.com...
>
>
> And if they are black?

Good point - ok, black *or* red then means it's an older-style inflator...

> >
> > Slightly OT, does anyone else find them a bit awkward to use? I find the
> > deflate button a real pain, not exactly ergonomically designed. I've
> started
> > just pitching forward slightly and using the valve at the base of the
wing
> > because it's easier!
>
> I think that's probably the general idea as the inflator hose is often
> looped through a small peice of bungee attatched to the left hand chest
> D-ring so it would be rather difficult to dump air through the inflator
> unless you're vertical in the water. As you're supposed to ascend in a
> horizontal position, it's much easier to dump excess gas through the pull
> dump at the base of the wing.
>
>

I tried that with the bungee, but the deflate button became virtually
useless as I could no longer raise the hose above its exit point from the
wings bladder, and thus dump air (unless the bladder is full - i.e. not
often).

As 99% of the people I dive with use regular BCD's, and it's a BSAC club, a
vertical ascent / descent position suits me best (unless its gradual, i.e.
up a slope or similar) - so a hose deflator that was easily operated would
be welcome. Apart from all this, I'm still getting used to my first wing, so
it's all a bit new anyhow.

"Jeff S" <jeffNOSPAMPLEASE@razorworks.com> wrote in message
news:bq7i30$kl3$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
> > >
>
> I tried that with the bungee, but the deflate button became virtually
> useless as I could no longer raise the hose above its exit point from the
> wings bladder, and thus dump air (unless the bladder is full - i.e. not
> often).

Yes, that's the point - the deflate button does become useless as you're not
supposed to use it when doing a horizontal ascent - just lift your arse
slightly, pull the dump on the wing and bob's yer uncle!

> As 99% of the people I dive with use regular BCD's, and it's a BSAC club,
a
> vertical ascent / descent position suits me best (unless its gradual, i.e.
> up a slope or similar) - so a hose deflator that was easily operated would
> be welcome. Apart from all this, I'm still getting used to my first wing,
so
> it's all a bit new anyhow.

Just because they ascent vertically doesn't mean you have to, surely?
Personally I find horizontal ascents more natural and are almost certainly
safer too as there's no pressure difference between the top and the bottom
of your body...

> I think that's probably the general idea as the inflator hose
> is often looped through a small peice of bungee attatched to
> the left hand chest D-ring so it would be rather difficult to
> dump air through the inflator unless you're vertical in the
> water.

Actually, it's nothing like as difficult as you would think, providing that
you use reasonably stretch bungee!

> As you're supposed to ascend in a horizontal position, it's
> much easier to dump excess gas through the pull dump at the
> base of the wing.

Indeed.

My only complaint about the older inflators is the mouthpiece which points
45% outward is a PITA.

Iain

Iain

"Iain Smith" <iainmsmith@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:KhMxb.1080$PR.7282@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net...
> > I think that's probably the general idea as the inflator hose
> > is often looped through a small peice of bungee attatched to
> > the left hand chest D-ring so it would be rather difficult to
> > dump air through the inflator unless you're vertical in the
> > water.
>
> Actually, it's nothing like as difficult as you would think, providing
that
> you use reasonably stretch bungee!
>
> > As you're supposed to ascend in a horizontal position, it's
> > much easier to dump excess gas through the pull dump at the
> > base of the wing.
>
> Indeed.
>
> My only complaint about the older inflators is the mouthpiece which points
> 45% outward is a PITA.

Actually I thought it was the new inflator that points out at a 45% angle...

I do not like the new inflator because if grasped with the right hand using
heavy gloves it is possible to inadvertenly depress both the inflate/deflate
button. I believe that is the genisis of this design, to allow you to breath
the wing dump as a backup regulator. I do not think it is a good design and
I think it is potentially dangerous.
"Bardo" <anon@anon.com> wrote in message
news:bq7u09$207pc6$1@ID-115313.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Jeff S" <jeffNOSPAMPLEASE@razorworks.com> wrote in message
> news:bq7i30$kl3$1$8300dec7@news.demon.co.uk...
> > > >
> >
> > I tried that with the bungee, but the deflate button became virtually
> > useless as I could no longer raise the hose above its exit point from
the
> > wings bladder, and thus dump air (unless the bladder is full - i.e. not
> > often).
>
> Yes, that's the point - the deflate button does become useless as you're
not
> supposed to use it when doing a horizontal ascent - just lift your arse
> slightly, pull the dump on the wing and bob's yer uncle!
>
> > As 99% of the people I dive with use regular BCD's, and it's a BSAC
club,
> a
> > vertical ascent / descent position suits me best (unless its gradual,
i.e.
> > up a slope or similar) - so a hose deflator that was easily operated
would
> > be welcome. Apart from all this, I'm still getting used to my first
wing,
> so
> > it's all a bit new anyhow.
>
> Just because they ascent vertically doesn't mean you have to, surely?
> Personally I find horizontal ascents more natural and are almost certainly
> safer too as there's no pressure difference between the top and the bottom
> of your body...
>
>