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Kind of like religion?
Good diving, Craig
I became a "christmas tree" diver with stuff hanging off me everywhere, and found the all-round inflation together with all the other stuff made me feel more like Michelin man than anything approaching a streamlined diver.
And you would know due to your extensive experience?
Good diving, Craig
I am not going to say one is better than the other, because I've only been diving since August. But I will say one thing. Right after I was certified, I bought a Mares jacket bc and loved it. I put approximately 35 dives on it. At that time, I hadn't even heard of a BP/W. Well, the owner of my local LDS let me borrow his. Fast forward to today, I am now a proud owner of a BP/W.
Take everything that everyone says about trying every type out before buying so you don't end up like me. 3 1/2 months after being certified, I've already purchased 2 BC's. If I had tried a backplate to begin with, I would have saved a ton of money.
If you try a backplate and don't like it, buy a jacket style. Don't let anyone say you shouldn't buy a jacket, if you like it and it fits go for it. When diving my jacket, I never dove with anyone that looked down upon me because of it. I dive with all sorts of people with different gear, back inflate, jacket, and backplate. I dive for the love of diving, not for the love of my gear.
Just my $.02
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Try a Jacket, try a Back inflate style, and try a BP/W. Then make a decision.
Most people here want to compare jacket with a BP/W. They want to ignore the Back Inflate. Why? Maybe cause a Back Inflate dives very much like a BP/W, only more comfortable?
I just looked at LP searching for the Mythical $300 BP/W. Most start out a $450 and go to $850 complete. Heck try and find a good wing for under $200. Then you need the harness, the BP, the CAM Bands, a weight belt and maybe a STA....
Don't get me wrong I think BP/W's are a good choice for many applications, but not all. There is the rub, why is it an either or decision, it can be both and for me depends on the type of diving one is doing.