I spent 2 days this week in class getting certified as a ScubaPro Pro Tech.
I recognize the limitations of classroom learning as compared to actually doing the work, so I have no illusions about "knowing it all" now. I take it as yet another license to learn.
I had read this thread prior to class starting on Tuesday, so I took an opportunity to ask the instructor about the BA versus the modern stuff. Specifically, he was showing me some different air tubes and how their newer ones have a bigger exhaust port (not the right term, but the term he used is just off the tip of my tongue right now - the port in the air tube that delivers gas into the body of the 2nd stage). He said the bigger port delivers gas at a slower velocity than the older tubes did, that had a smaller port. He said they had to make the port bigger to slow down the gas, "dumbing down" the reg, for some reasons related to meeting EU standards.
When he said that, I responded with "so, is that why so many people say that they like the way an old BA breathes better than the newer regs?"
He said that the newer stuff (e.g. G260) breathes way better than the BA. I think he claimed something like 30 - 40% better. He said one big reason for that is that the newer 2nds have a much bigger exhaust port (i.e. mushroom valve) which makes a large contribution to overall lower WOB.
So, now I've heard the academic answer. What is the "real" answer? Do you all that prefer the old BA prefer it because you feel it breathes more nicely than a G260? If so, what is the explanation behind that? If not, what is the reason you prefer a BA?