Hi All
Thanks for all of the comments. First off, I have traded pm's with Tobin. He asked me for info he needed to make an educated suggestion, I provided said info, and I got great suggestions as well as good advice. I am more of an authority in a couple other fields but not scuba diving and don't presume to be. I like direct answers, for me they are usually the ones easiest to make sense of, and I received great answers from Tobin with no evidence of shortness or whatever has been attributed to him by a few others in this thread.
I do appreciate the give and take between several contributors in this thread though as it helps a newcomer like me sort out some important issues for myself, my family and our diving future. In addition to my son I also have two daughters that are certified but due to attending school or being injured (ACL tear on one) don't have the opportunities for now to do all the diving my son and I have. There were many good posts and I thank the many contributors on this board. I found it by a simple "google" of dive forums but will stick around for a good while to come. I like the simplicity and freedom of movement that a bp/w provides, hate the enclosed feeling a vested BC gives me nor do I like the squeeze from the air bladder on my sides and partial front. I will likely go with Tobin's suggestions.
Thanks for all of the comments. First off, I have traded pm's with Tobin. He asked me for info he needed to make an educated suggestion, I provided said info, and I got great suggestions as well as good advice. I am more of an authority in a couple other fields but not scuba diving and don't presume to be. I like direct answers, for me they are usually the ones easiest to make sense of, and I received great answers from Tobin with no evidence of shortness or whatever has been attributed to him by a few others in this thread.
I do appreciate the give and take between several contributors in this thread though as it helps a newcomer like me sort out some important issues for myself, my family and our diving future. In addition to my son I also have two daughters that are certified but due to attending school or being injured (ACL tear on one) don't have the opportunities for now to do all the diving my son and I have. There were many good posts and I thank the many contributors on this board. I found it by a simple "google" of dive forums but will stick around for a good while to come. I like the simplicity and freedom of movement that a bp/w provides, hate the enclosed feeling a vested BC gives me nor do I like the squeeze from the air bladder on my sides and partial front. I will likely go with Tobin's suggestions.