I took my new BP/W (Hog Aluminum plate & Hog 23 pound wing) out to the pool last night to do a refresher dive prior to my trip on the Aquacat next month. It was the first time I dove with the BP/W and I had a few observations. First, compared to my previous (travel) BCD, a Cressi Air Travel, I was able to drop about 4-5 pounds of lead. (I know that the total amount of lead I will need will be higher in salt water than in the pool, but the 4 pounds less (the "delta") should be fairly consistent.) Second, I will admit that I was skeptical, but once in the water, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it really was. Third, since this was my first time in the water with it, it took a little while before I found the ideal spot to hook things like my dive computer (hose mounted) and my octo to, but it did become apparent that getting a good location for these will be a matter of fine tuning rather than changing.
Overall impressions, based on one refresher dive in the local pool are that I am happy I made the switch. Let's see if I still feel the same way after using it for a week on a live aboard.