I sympathise with newer divers not wanting to use a BPW, or treAting them with suspicion.
When I got back into diving I had no idea what a wing was, they were quite popular within the club I joined, by popular less than 25% of divers used them. One lady had been using a wing for 4-5 years and loved it, she persuaded me to try one and the rest was history (including her becoming my wife)
People like what they learnt in, it's what they have confidence in. I go on dive vacations all over the world twice or 3 times a year, generally ours are the only wings on the boat. They are still a niche item in the grand scheme of global sales.
All my regs are aqualung only because the best shop in town is a dealer. Indeed all my purchases generally come from the same shop. Yes I get a discount, and yes I can touch before I buy, but I get outstanding after sales service too. If I need a service or repair at the last minute it gets done. There is a lot to be said for a good relationship with a local store.
Regarding Aqualung and Scubapro, they might not be everyone's favourite, but you can be pretty much certain of finding spares anywhere in the world along with someone able to fix it if something does go wrong.
When I got back into diving I had no idea what a wing was, they were quite popular within the club I joined, by popular less than 25% of divers used them. One lady had been using a wing for 4-5 years and loved it, she persuaded me to try one and the rest was history (including her becoming my wife)
People like what they learnt in, it's what they have confidence in. I go on dive vacations all over the world twice or 3 times a year, generally ours are the only wings on the boat. They are still a niche item in the grand scheme of global sales.
All my regs are aqualung only because the best shop in town is a dealer. Indeed all my purchases generally come from the same shop. Yes I get a discount, and yes I can touch before I buy, but I get outstanding after sales service too. If I need a service or repair at the last minute it gets done. There is a lot to be said for a good relationship with a local store.
Regarding Aqualung and Scubapro, they might not be everyone's favourite, but you can be pretty much certain of finding spares anywhere in the world along with someone able to fix it if something does go wrong.