back inflation vs vest???

[LowVizWiz]

HMaren, I'm glad you like the Balance.

I dive with very little weight so I don't put much air on mine making venting the BC very easy. I find myself using mostly the rear valve towards the end of the dive while at depth when I'm horizontal to be the best way for me to vent. It also keeps me from having runaway accents! =)

Congrats.
Wys

 

[meesier42]

look into the Aeris Atmos XT. this is a hybrid vest/back inflate that I have found gives me the balance of a back inflate, but gives me a heads up position at fully inflated on the surface. Even without dumping wieghts, if you do dump wieghts, ie a real emergency, then you will have to fight to get your face in the water.

 

[mred]

I have dove both types, and ended up buying the back inflate. It automatically puts you in the correct dive position, however, is a little annoying (at first) when resting on the surface. The main problem with vest is the squeezing when you add air ...

 

[Agent 47]

Back inflate all the way. You'll really feel the difference when you dive one. Not sure about the Air 2, though. I've had shops trying to sell me different integrated octo/power inflators since the beginning, and I fend them off every time. The one hose it gets rid of really isn't an inconvenience, but trying to breathe off the air 2 while also using it to vent air on an ascent seems like it would be. Granted, I've never used one so maybe some people who have can offer some input? It just seems like a downgrade rather then an upgrade when practical application is taken into consideration.

 

[victor]

Back inflate all the way. You'll really feel the difference when you dive one. Not sure about the Air 2, though. I've had shops trying to sell me different integrated octo/power inflators since the beginning, and I fend them off every time. The one hose it gets rid of really isn't an inconvenience, but trying to breathe off the air 2 while also using it to vent air on an ascent seems like it would be. Granted, I've never used one so maybe some people who have can offer some input? It just seems like a downgrade rather then an upgrade when practical application is taken into consideration.

Practise with the AIR2 a few times and it comes naturally. You never have to wonder where it is, it falls to hand whenever its needed. I am biased I have had mine for over 10 years now.
The only disadvantage is if you have a problem with it on vacation. You cannot just swap out an octo, you need another BC and a low presure inflator.