I started off with an Express Tech Deluxe with the pad kit, then peeled off what I found I didn't need after experimenting with it on a few dives.
First thing to go was the shoulder strap pads. A fair amount of bulk that just seemed unnecessary since the vast majority of my dives are boat dives. If I did more shore dives, I'd probably have left them on. Next was the chest strap for the same reason. Just didn't seem necessary.
The back pad's a definite keeper. It's lightweight with no extra bulk, dries quickly and adds comfort.
I go back and forth on the crotch strap. It's off right now, but I may put it back on in the near future. Jury's still out on that one.
I originally bought it with the bigger weight pockets, the Rip Cord system. The advantage is the greater weight capacity and less tendency to cause roll over as the pockets hang further down on the waist when you're horizontal in the water. The disadvantage is they're bigger than what I need. So I switched to the smaller weight system, the Zip Touch. But just as Captn Gene predicted, with the Zip Touch I found I had a tendency to roll over since the weight was now further back on my waist. So I bought a couple of XS Scuba weight pockets, slid them over the waistband webbing and shifted some of the weight there. Works very well.
I really like the breakaway harness as opposed to a single piece of webbing because it's easier to get on and off. Or maybe it's just that I like buckles, lol. I haven't noticed any effects of the articulated shoulder strap assembly one way or the other.
The cool thing about this BC is that you can modify it to what works best for your type of diving. I'm hanging on to all the "extras," i.e. the pads, straps and weight systems, as I may need them in the future especially if I go shore diving in cooler water.
