DIR Gear Brand Evaluation

Red Sea Explorer · January 4th, 2006, 03:01 AM

Hi all.

One thing that we really depend on in our diving is our gear. Especially us DIR divers, since gear choice and configuration is a significant part of what we preach.

I am actually now scoping the market for DIR gear because I need buy more to make it available for rent. I was surprised to see so many different manufacturers. It would be interesting to hear what people have to say about the different brands. Obviously the main things would be design, durability, functionality, safety etc… But if anyone has insight on other issues please feel free to share for example after sale service, delivery times, recall policies etc... Oh and of course pricing.
Actually come to think of it, this would make a good article from some tech diving magazine...
Bellow I have a list of the manufacturers I have come across. If you know of others, even if they make a few items, please list them.

Deep Sea Supply www.deepseasupply.com
Halcyon www.halcyon.net
Agir www.agir-brokk.com
Golem www.golemgear.com
DIR-Zone www.dir-zone.com
Salvo www.salvodiving.com
Oxy Cheq www.oxycheq.com

Your thoughts please

Faisal

vid · January 4th, 2006, 09:54 AM

i presume that you're looking at the bc and harness mainly?

if so, aren't some of the products produced by oms / diverite / apeks etc suitable for use eg single peice harness & backplate or unbungeed, single bladdered wing

vid

WaterDawg · January 4th, 2006, 10:31 AM

Dont forget DiveRite, OMS

Red Sea Explorer · January 4th, 2006, 03:08 PM

yes I agree, other manufacturers are also making compatible material. If anyone has experience in them you can go ahead and bring it up.

There is also the lights, not only the wings.
Also maybe drysiuts. I know that DUI is the holy grail, but there are others out there that are doing a very good job.

fraser · January 4th, 2006, 03:15 PM

OMS do DIR gear?

Not sure about the current DR gear but the Classic wing always required modification to be properly DIR which if you are buying in bulk is perhaps not ideal.

Faisal, I've bought and used gear from Halcyon, Salvo, Agir and DIR-Zone and find it is all very well made. What particular gear are you after?

BTW, did you purposely miss out listing the Fifth D equipment? :D
Cheers,

Fraser.

Red Sea Explorer · January 4th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Fraser,

Yeah I did not mention the 5thd-x stuff because it is not actually gear, but accessories. And if I do mention it we are going to get to talking about the scooters and I want to avoid that as I am already on the black list.

Going back to the topic though…

I agree that OMS makes gear that might look right. I have seen their single tank wing and it can be reconfigured to a DIR set up. But the material inside that it is made of is what I do not like. Plus I think there is an issue with Dump valve placement. Also Dive rite I think has the same problem with material.

I think the dive rite classic wing is defiantly the best design from a distribution perspective and the way it sits in the water. But the material needs to be revamped and so I do not use it. I am looking for something straight out of the box.

A have not seen but I have had bad reviews about the Oxycheq.

I have had bad experiences with the Halcyon wings as I am sure many of you have.

I have seen and tried the DIR zone wings. They are fantastic. There is defiantly something to be said about German engineering.

I have not tried or seen the AGIR, but would live to hear about it.

I have seen a Deep Sea Supply, it looked good but I don know much about it other wise.

WaterDawg · January 4th, 2006, 03:37 PM

OMS has a few nice wings, the Larry Green sig series and the 32lb nor retraction singles tank wing come to mind.

DR is a better. You can order the Classic (or anyother wing) w/ no pull dump and w/ a shorter inflator hose straight from them so no modification is requried. Plus they have the most popular lights (at least in cave country).

And supposedly they have upgraded the materials they use, at least thats what I have heard from a friend who compared a his 2 year old wing to a new one/

Red Sea Explorer · January 4th, 2006, 03:48 PM

That is great news, I have always loved the DR classic wing, but hated having to put ruber tubing inside it to avaid rips.

I will check it out.

vid · January 4th, 2006, 04:04 PM

i have a new OMS 32lb non-retraction wing, and the materials are different to the previous model - still had to cut the silly plastic grip off of the pull dump cord though !

vid

Little Pete · January 4th, 2006, 05:43 PM

The Agir 38lb wing is a really nice piece of kit. I have a few bits by Agir (Wing, bands and manifold) and all seem to be very solidly made and do the job extremely well.

My salvo light is really really excellent as well. :D

January 4th, 2006, 03:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Red Sea Explorer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sea Posts: 236	DIR Gear Brand Evaluation Hi all. One thing that we really depend on in our diving is our gear. Especially us DIR divers, since gear choice and configuration is a significant part of what we preach. I am actually now scoping the market for DIR gear because I need buy more to make it available for rent. I was surprised to see so many different manufacturers. It would be interesting to hear what people have to say about the different brands. Obviously the main things would be design, durability, functionality, safety etc… But if anyone has insight on other issues please feel free to share for example after sale service, delivery times, recall policies etc... Oh and of course pricing. Actually come to think of it, this would make a good article from some tech diving magazine... Bellow I have a list of the manufacturers I have come across. If you know of others, even if they make a few items, please list them. Deep Sea Supply www.deepseasupply.com Halcyon www.halcyon.net Agir www.agir-brokk.com Golem www.golemgear.com DIR-Zone www.dir-zone.com Salvo www.salvodiving.com Oxy Cheq www.oxycheq.com Your thoughts please Faisal __________________ You watch me switch. www.redseaexplorers.com Last edited by Red Sea Explorer; January 4th, 2006 at 03:16 AM.

January 4th, 2006, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 353	what about... i presume that you're looking at the bc and harness mainly? if so, aren't some of the products produced by oms / diverite / apeks etc suitable for use eg single peice harness & backplate or unbungeed, single bladdered wing vid

January 4th, 2006, 03:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Red Sea Explorer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sea Posts: 236	yes I agree, other manufacturers are also making compatible material. If anyone has experience in them you can go ahead and bring it up. There is also the lights, not only the wings. Also maybe drysiuts. I know that DUI is the holy grail, but there are others out there that are doing a very good job. __________________ You watch me switch. www.redseaexplorers.com

January 4th, 2006, 03:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
fraser(Offline) "I'm only late on your timescale" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 463	OMS do DIR gear? Not sure about the current DR gear but the Classic wing always required modification to be properly DIR which if you are buying in bulk is perhaps not ideal. Faisal, I've bought and used gear from Halcyon, Salvo, Agir and DIR-Zone and find it is all very well made. What particular gear are you after? BTW, did you purposely miss out listing the Fifth D equipment? :D Cheers, Fraser. __________________ Damn it feels good to be a gangsta

January 4th, 2006, 03:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Red Sea Explorer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sea Posts: 236	Fraser, Yeah I did not mention the 5thd-x stuff because it is not actually gear, but accessories. And if I do mention it we are going to get to talking about the scooters and I want to avoid that as I am already on the black list. Going back to the topic though… I agree that OMS makes gear that might look right. I have seen their single tank wing and it can be reconfigured to a DIR set up. But the material inside that it is made of is what I do not like. Plus I think there is an issue with Dump valve placement. Also Dive rite I think has the same problem with material. I think the dive rite classic wing is defiantly the best design from a distribution perspective and the way it sits in the water. But the material needs to be revamped and so I do not use it. I am looking for something straight out of the box. A have not seen but I have had bad reviews about the Oxycheq. I have had bad experiences with the Halcyon wings as I am sure many of you have. I have seen and tried the DIR zone wings. They are fantastic. There is defiantly something to be said about German engineering. I have not tried or seen the AGIR, but would live to hear about it. I have seen a Deep Sea Supply, it looked good but I don know much about it other wise. __________________ You watch me switch. www.redseaexplorers.com

January 4th, 2006, 10:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
WaterDawg(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: FL Posts: 28	Dont forget DiveRite, OMS

January 4th, 2006, 03:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
WaterDawg(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: FL Posts: 28	OMS has a few nice wings, the Larry Green sig series and the 32lb nor retraction singles tank wing come to mind. DR is a better. You can order the Classic (or anyother wing) w/ no pull dump and w/ a shorter inflator hose straight from them so no modification is requried. Plus they have the most popular lights (at least in cave country). And supposedly they have upgraded the materials they use, at least thats what I have heard from a friend who compared a his 2 year old wing to a new one/ Last edited by WaterDawg; January 4th, 2006 at 03:42 PM.

January 4th, 2006, 03:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Red Sea Explorer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sea Posts: 236	That is great news, I have always loved the DR classic wing, but hated having to put ruber tubing inside it to avaid rips. I will check it out. __________________ You watch me switch. www.redseaexplorers.com

January 4th, 2006, 04:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 353	i have a new OMS 32lb non-retraction wing, and the materials are different to the previous model - still had to cut the silly plastic grip off of the pull dump cord though ! vid

January 4th, 2006, 05:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	The Agir 38lb wing is a really nice piece of kit. I have a few bits by Agir (Wing, bands and manifold) and all seem to be very solidly made and do the job extremely well. My salvo light is really really excellent as well. :D