A couple of things I've observed over the past few years since diving bp/w:
Your enjoyment will go up considerably compared to diving a jacket BC. You never hear of anyone going from BP/W to jacket style
I just put together a continuous webbing harness for our warm water vacation at the end of the week. I haven't had a chance to dive it, but if you're going to be standing up for very long wearing a bp/w with tank and weights, or walking across sand for a beach dive, so far it's not as comfortable as more recreational oriented harness like the DiveRite Transplate. Webbing is cheap, and you reuse the slides and D-rings if you reconfigure things
Stainless steel doesn't rust in a backplate (it shouldn't if it's a decent backplate). Aluminum should be anodized and gets whatever corrosion aluminum gets if it gets scratched. DiveRite has a very trick looking thin stainless backplate with lots of cut outs that make it about the same weight as an aluminum plate. I can hardly wait to get it wet in less than a week
All the manufacturers have different shapes and bends to their backplate. Try several brands to see what feels good to you. I've heard flatter is better for single tank diving and more bend is better for doubles as far as comfort. I have no intention of diving doubles. Deep Sea Supply's plates are very flat and I don't find them particularly comfortable. DiveRite and Highland have a little more bend and are comfortable to me (and my wife). I've heard the ones with the lower corners bent slightly away from your back are more comfortable, like Hollis and other, but haven't tried any.
Donut shaped wings let the air move all around, horseshoe shaped wings don't. Get a wing where the bladder zips out so you can patch it or replace it if it gets a hole. Having a great repair or replacement policy is nice, but doesn't do anything to help if you have some kind of leak or tear on a dive vacation in the middle of nowhere
Some people like padding between their back and the backplate. The padding generally has to match the manufacturer of the plate
Some setups need a single tank adapter, others don't. With no single tank adapter you can get the tank closer to your back. If you crank your head way up to look at something, make sure your head won't hit your tank valve
Really short tanks (HP 80 or Al 63) are usually shorter than the bottom of your wing. If you're going to be diving a really short tank, don't go for a really tall, narrow bladder or you'll have to be careful about pinching the bottom of your wing with the tank
Don't buy too big a wing "just in case". Get one with just enough lift for the type of diving you'll be doing when you get a bp/w
You will be amazed at how much weight you'll be able to drop compared to a regular BC
If you're just doing recreational diving, there's nothing wrong with having a comfortable harness, putting quick release weight pockets on the waist webbing, or even adding something like an Air-2. I've done all. You're the one who has to dive with it and enjoy it, not impress anyone
Everyone has a favorite, just like car brands and colas. If you don't like what you get, you shouldn't have any problem selling it. My favorite is DiveRite, based on price, quality, durability, functionality and how well thought out their gear is
The best brand is the one that works best for you and you enjoy. Try a few to see what the differences are
