This is exactly my experience. I wish my B2 did not have the 1st stage swivel.paulwlee:<snip> With my B1 on my single tank rig the swivel doesn't seem to move much at all because the BC (and sometimes drysuit) hose pretty much fixes the position of the swivel.
The second stage swivel is a different story...it's worth every penny, and I wouldn't dive without it.
All the best, James