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My name is Jeff and I am by most people's opinion on this list a newbie.  I
have been reading a lot from this and other tech lists (vbtech) about gear
selection.  The DIR proponents have pretty much won me over.

I have "earned" my PADI AOW card and just finished a TDI Nitrox course.  I
want/need to log some more dives over the next few years.  In the past, most
of my diving has been in the Boynton Beach area (Capt. Leo) and other
Florida locations on the Gulf side.  I have recently moved to the Midwest
and will probably be here for quite some time.  I am interested in doing
more diving and slowly working into more technical diving.  I do not plan on
doing any cave dives, but will likely focus on deeper wrecks.  I too bought
too much crap gear and am looking into a new gear set-up based on the
assumption that technical diving is in the near future.

My local shop carries Halcyon (limited selection), OMS (I know, I know ...
no bungie wings) and Scuba Pro.  I plan on getting a SS backplate and this
leads to my first question:

1)  Does the manufacturer of the SS BP make that much difference?

I am leaning towards the Halcyon since it follows the Hogarth single piece
of webbing design, but have looked at the OMS and see some features that
look appealing.  Since my tougher dives will be from a rocking boat, is it
difficult to don/doff the Halcyon BP/Harness?  I have been told by a few of
the local instructors they prefer the OMS since it has a quick release and
view that 2" buckle as a minimal point of failure.  The OMS does have too
many D-rings and I would take the excess off.

2)  Any opinions on the Scuba-Pro Pure Tek wing?

I will be diving singles for some time and then graduate to doubles in due
course.  My original plan was to look at the Halcyon Pioneer wings (18# if I
get my dry suit) and then buy the explorer wings in the future.  I have read
some posts on rec.scuba about problems with the Halcyon power inflator and
that many people have replaced it.  My local shop encouraged my to look at
buying one set of wings and saving some money.  They suggested the Pure Tek
wing and agreed that an OMS bungied wing is not preferred.

Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

Jeff


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