Newly certified as of a few weeks ago, have been out for several fun dives since. I'm hooked, so I'm looking into getting my own set of gear now. After reading a lot of older scubaboard threads, I think I've decided to get a DGX BP/W, as that seems like an affordable and decent option for a beginner. Can anyone walk me through (or just straight up recommend) which of the options I should be looking into for the the piece of kit? I'm specifically referring to this: DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package and it has several options that I don't really know enough to choose between. 1.5 inch or 2 inch crotch strap? Weight pockets (there are like a dozen types and sizes listed - no idea what any of the acronyms mean)? Tank straps/single tank adapter (I would have assumed that an STA wouldn't be needed, since I don't think you can dive doubles with this BP/W, but I don't know!)? Shoulder pads?
I'm assuming some of these decisions don't matter that much (shoulder pads, crotch strap width), but some are likely important (weight pockets, STA/tank straps). If it matters, I will be primarily diving Monterey (so cold water), in a wetsuit (not going dry yet). Using the rental gear the shop had, along with an AL tank, I had 26 lbs of lead on my most recent dives. I'm probably overweighted since I'm still a newbie, but maybe not by a ton - a more experienced diver I was with dove a similar set of kit with 22 lbs. As a result, I think I will be going with the steel backplate rather than AL, but the rest of the options I just don't know anything about.
Thank you all so much! Please let me know if I'm missing any relevant info here.
I'm assuming some of these decisions don't matter that much (shoulder pads, crotch strap width), but some are likely important (weight pockets, STA/tank straps). If it matters, I will be primarily diving Monterey (so cold water), in a wetsuit (not going dry yet). Using the rental gear the shop had, along with an AL tank, I had 26 lbs of lead on my most recent dives. I'm probably overweighted since I'm still a newbie, but maybe not by a ton - a more experienced diver I was with dove a similar set of kit with 22 lbs. As a result, I think I will be going with the steel backplate rather than AL, but the rest of the options I just don't know anything about.
Thank you all so much! Please let me know if I'm missing any relevant info here.