So I come at the question of do I need another hand wing from a guitar player's perspective. How many guitars does a fella need? Just one more. 
Anyhow, I'm fairly new to winging (2 years) and I own four hand wings (ArmstrongV2 3.5, Duotone Echo 5, Duotone Echo 7, and F-One Strike CWC 8). I'm very happy with the Armstrong and F-One wings.
I bought the Duotone wings early on and while I like the idea of a boom, the absence of a buoyant central strut is a limitation. Additionally the Echo 7 feels very heavy in light wind (especially in comparison to the F-One 8). Finally the Echo 7 has a 5 cm tear in the fabric of the leading edge that doesn't hold together with sail tape so probably needs professional repair.
So if I remove the Duotone 7 from my quiver, what should I get to replace it? Or should I even bother to replace it? Since I have the F-One 8 I don't need another 7m. Does having an 8m, a 5m and the 3.5m cover me for most/all wind conditions? If I ditched the Duotone 5, should I get a 5.5m? Thoughts about what brand?
Anyway, thanks in advance. Looking forward to some shopping :)
I think you should replace the 5. The gap between 3.5/5 is no problem and while 5/8 gap isnt ideal, the cwc has pretty good top end control so it shouldn't be too bad. Have you tried the cwc between 14-16 knots? You don't say your weight or what boards / foils you are on, but that's probably the crossover from 5 to 8.
I usually use a 3.5/5/7 quiver and it works well for me. My ideal would probably be 3.5/4.5/6 or 3/4/5/6.5.
Thanks Velocicraptor. I'm 87 kgs on an 88L Armstrong board with a 1550 and a 1850V2 front wing.
I like the CWC in 14-16 kts.
Get rid of the echos and get a new 5 and a new 6 in either F-One Strike v2, Duotone slick v2, Duotone unit V2, or Ocean Rodeo. Slick V2 comes in 6.5 too. New wings are more powerful and the 8m CWC has a pretty wide wind range.
If you can afford, 2 wings a 5m and 6m. If you can only get 1 wing then a 5m. Anything over 15kn you can use the 5m. Under 15kn use your CWC.
Thanks all. When do manufacturers release new designs? Is there a release period that all try to follow or is it catch as catch can?
New wings were historically released between March and June, but thats changing and there are 2023 models already being released now.
I disagree with the 5.5 recommendation. The jump between 3.5 and 5.5 is too much. I find that the overlap between 3.5 and 5 is already small.
It may help if you pick one brand and just stick with that brand to make the gaps consistent, otherwise it's apples to oranges and you'll have a hard time building up comfort/proficiencies and even rigging.
DC
I weigh 85kg and I have all Slicks, I have a 4.5m, 5.5m & 6.5m with carbon boom so nice and light. I like the boom as you can hold it anywhere and an advantage in light winds as you can hold it in one hand in the sweet spot.
However, in the Summer, sometimes the 6.m is just not enough and I have seen my friends get away on a 7m Strike although they are lighter than me. I think in the future the 6.5m will be swapped for the Strike 8m CWC.As for the smaller two wings they give me good coverage and I can always be comfortable with them, rather than struggling with them. Obviously it's down to how you want to feel, always overpowered and on foil or comfortable and on foil.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm thinking I'll add the F-One Strike V2 5m and F-One strike CWC 6m and I'll lose the two Echo wings.
