Just a couple points from my experience...
I have stuffed the 7' hose into my bp webbing many times, pulled it out, put it back, etc. with no problems. This is the way to go if you do not have the can light there. It is the same motion as when using the can light but are not using the light. The light head gets clipped off on the right ring and then the cord/hose gets stuffed into the belt to eliminate snags.
I like this because you just buy the one host which works in all situations, learn it, be done with it.
It is not hard at all to deploy it, it is just part of the s-drill along with the other steps.
The web Halcyon pocket I had and tried and sent it back as it does not bellow so it is very hard to get stuff in and out of easily. It is placed too far back to really reach.
I would say this pocket is not dir at all, as if you do have a can light all of a sudden you have to take the pocket off then put your stuff somewhere else. Why not just put the stuff in thigh pockets, best solution overall, and be done with it?
The web pocket also has a d ring in there to clip stuff off, metal to metal=no no, dir or not.
Lastly, I don't see a solid, well built, aluminum bp being any heavier than plastic. With a singles wing, or even doubles, I do not see a travel issue with the alum bp.
There is a lot of talk at times concerning dir and the focus on equipment. The equipment is really just the tip of the ice berg but because it is so noticeable and tangible, it gets the most observation and comment.
JJ and GI have stated from their perspective a long hose is not needed at all for OW rec dives.
I have seen several Padi and Naui and SSI divers/classes that use the long hose. So it is entirely possible that one could see a dir diver with a 40" primary, and then a Padi diver using a long hose.
UP has excellent points in that many times the DM is a dive shop advertisement, this has nothing to do with dir, it has to do with simple economics and free markets.
I see a lot of people making a big deal over the 7' hose, it is something that is easily taught to a first time in the water diver, not rocket science by any means. It is also very easy to show your buddy if he is not aware of how it works. This is just general pre dive stuff for new buddies, right?
If your new buddy cannot comprehend how the long hose will work then you need a new buddy.
I cannot imagine anyone really comparing ACUAL USEAGE between long and short hose and saying the short is better. It is much harder to maintain good buoyancy/trim with a short hose in a real OOA situation.
Tommy