Quick Update
The Dive Shop agrees with the initial gear list with a couple of exceptions:
1) Believe the Perdix AI is overkill and are suggesting a Suunto Cobra console. They suggest the console will be superior for hunter gathering and won't get in the way like a watch. I agree about the getting in the way to some degree, however have done very little research on console units.
2) The best package deals they have includes the XTX50 with XTX40 Octo. Saves quite a bit, however the savings might be lost if they have to convert to the primary donate setup.
3) They are also suggesting the Dive Rite Transpac is the harness to go for
4) They are also recommending the Dive Rite Stainless Steel Light back plate, no reason given at this stage.
Anyway, thought I would run this by you guys to get some more advice given how helpful you have been so far!
Oh gosh dive shops are so predictable. You try and break out of the "big-name expensive bcd and recreational reg setup" and they try to push you right back in.
1) Overkill... define overkill. They seem to define it as buying something you won't want to upgrade from later. That is not a very good definition. Consoles get in the way of diving often. They drag on the bottom. They catch on things. They get free from their catch strap device and play hide and seek with you when you want to check your depth and anything else that got shoehorned into a massive oversized console. I really hate consoles. I am sure there must be lots of people who love them, but buying a console seems like a good way to rebuy gear later to me. If they want to sell you an inexpensive wrist-mounted DC I could buy the logic, but a console? Nope.
2) Up to you, but don't give in on the primary donate
setup. Check the link for the details. Primary donate works really well with BP/W.
3) Recommending the more expensive harness that is more like a regular recreational bcd... what a shock. You can spend the extra money if you want to, Dive Rite is good stuff, but I sure wouldn't. Once you get a normal BP/W harness dialed in the only thing the transpac offers is more failure points.
4) Unless they have a good reason I would ignore that. Backplates should be selected as part of your weighting system, and a lot of that is based on exposure protection. Given your diving area, I'd pick a heavy SS BP every time.
Good luck. Remember that LDS recommendations are normally based on what works best for them and their business, not what is going to work best for you. That is not to say the people making these recommendations are not good, experienced divers wanting to help, but prying those people out of their comfortable box can range from difficult to not worth it, at least in my limited experience.
