Hi all. I was an active member here years ago, but lost my UN somehow and actually haven't dived in 3 years. In short, I'm excited to be getting back in the game. I came from the east coast and was in the process of building a BPW set up that was never completed. So handy and brand new I have the DGX SS backplate, rigged one piece harness with strap and cam bands. Pretty much all that's missing is the wing. I just want to add a wing - no other changes to the set up. It was interesting to see all the changes in views here over the last three years on vendors and see some great new products come to market.
Basically, I have three scenarios for the BPW combo - (i) local diving in SoCal with drysuit a steel HP100, (ii) warm water diving in a 3mm and hood vest and a AL80 (no matter how warm the warm is, I always wear it) and (iii) my favorite of all, warm water Cozumel with Aldora and the big tanks. Since seeing all of the newer streamlined designs, its only 30+ for me since the additional lift is only helpful for diving at home - and for now, I only have funds for one wing. So its either the DGX 30 (with a note request to flip to a non-vent elbow) or the VDH 35. The cost difference isn't really a big deal, so I'm ignoring that. I'm stuck between this conundrum: (i) DGX has a long track record and a great return policy, but slightly smaller lift and (ii) VDH has the nicer build quality, bigger capacity which could be helpful for cameras and alike but with any small business, there is some risk the owner moves on to bigger and better things. I don't think there is a "wrong choice" here and both seem like great products - I just keep going back and forth between the two and could use some friendly help to shove me off the fence one way. Appreciate it and happy new year!
Basically, I have three scenarios for the BPW combo - (i) local diving in SoCal with drysuit a steel HP100, (ii) warm water diving in a 3mm and hood vest and a AL80 (no matter how warm the warm is, I always wear it) and (iii) my favorite of all, warm water Cozumel with Aldora and the big tanks. Since seeing all of the newer streamlined designs, its only 30+ for me since the additional lift is only helpful for diving at home - and for now, I only have funds for one wing. So its either the DGX 30 (with a note request to flip to a non-vent elbow) or the VDH 35. The cost difference isn't really a big deal, so I'm ignoring that. I'm stuck between this conundrum: (i) DGX has a long track record and a great return policy, but slightly smaller lift and (ii) VDH has the nicer build quality, bigger capacity which could be helpful for cameras and alike but with any small business, there is some risk the owner moves on to bigger and better things. I don't think there is a "wrong choice" here and both seem like great products - I just keep going back and forth between the two and could use some friendly help to shove me off the fence one way. Appreciate it and happy new year!