Maybe for the shop to have a fleet of items for use in OW training, but there is no reason a new OW graduate cant get BP/Wings if they have the cash - but diving isnt cheap and i would always buy something at a slightly higher cost if it were better quality than making do with something substandard (cheap rental type BC's) just cos it fit in my budget - i would rather rent than be saddled with such trash i had paid real money for. Would you recommend that OW students go out and get the cheapest BC they can, or to spend a little more for something they might like?
I appreciate the fact that the jacket BC's are easier for the task loaded students, but i also like the fact that once i have set the straps on my harness, they are set and cant easily be loosened during wear (i put keepers where the shoulder strap turns to the waist strap on the back of the BP to keep it at the same on both parts) which i find comforting. Well anyway, with creditcards most things are possible to afford and pay off reasonably quickly. I think BP/Wings get a bad rap for being expensive, i can think of various BC's intended for use in singles and doubles that cost more, not everyone needs this capability. I still think you can get a 2nd hand or budget BP/Wings for not much more than a reasonably priced BC, not the cheapest BC, but one that might actually work and not be aimed at the rental/instruction market.