first off, my first BC was a BP/W and i have never regretted it and still dive it as often as i can
second, as far as some dive shops and or operations making you use certain gear, that is true, but generally if that is the case they should let you use a set of their rental gear to meet their requirements
second, as far as some dive shops and or operations making you use certain gear, that is true, but generally if that is the case they should let you use a set of their rental gear to meet their requirements