When SD first began it was held in north central Florida in the always calm, clear, shallow spings like Alexander and Ginnie. As SD has evolved into the Bahamas last year and this year the Gold Coast and next year it sounds like Bonaire the diving has become more demanding and exposed to the elements, rough seas, currents etc. Thus the reason the Sand Doggers have been ditching vintage equipment in favor of more utilitarian equipment with the only remaining vestige of "vintage" being the double hose regs. I expect that trend to continue as long as we take on the ocean blue, Bonaire deep wall dives, boat trips to the "wild" side of Bonaire etc.
On the Spiegal my harness was tied too tight behind the horsecollar, then it slipped off my shoulders and since I have A) arthritis in my hands and B) was carrying a near 4,000 dollars camera rig I hated to drop, I nearly passed out because I could not breath and I could not loosen the strap trapped behind the horsecollar, it was about to get serious for a minute--really--I am not kidding. I somehow made it back to the boat, got out and the DM had to loosen the sternum strap. That let me breath and I was able to dive after a moment of regaining my composure, all the while the remainder of the day, both shoulder straps were off my shoulders and my tank was loose.
I enjoyed the old SD format where we could mostly drive our vehicles and haul tons of cool old gear to play with and share in a benign environment but in the ocean, paying lot's of money to get someplace to dive, I am afraid the only vintage gear I will get to Bonaire will be a DH t-shirt with a picture of a DH regulator and my DOXA watch. I am just saying, serious diving begets serious equipment and the limited baggage allowance post 911 and shoe bomber and undie bomber makes heavy vintage gear or multiple sets of gear difficult to transport.
Just thinking out loud, not meaning to upset anyone.
N
I'm sick I tell you I'm sick.
You were warned. 
