Hi Ben,
Glad that helped
Thanks Andy for the thorough info. I guess I liked the look of the comfort harness and I thought "It's more expensive it must be better!" - but one of the biggest things I like was that it looked comfortable if I was to dive without a wetsuit (ie Just boardshorts) as the water here is quite warm.
This is undoubtably why most BP&W converts opt for the 'luxury' or 'comfort' harnesses. I see 3 primary factors, that can reflect in an unnecessary purchase...
1) Familiarity. Comfort harness
looks like a jacket BCD. People stick with what they know - even though they are moving to something different...
2) Misappreciating BP&W. A metal backplate and basic harness
looks unconfortable and awkward. It really does... The looks are decieving, it is very comfortable, even for diving without a wetsuit.
3) Manufacturer Marketing. Some of the manufacturers do market the 'comfort harnesses' to increase the illusion. If you they sell a 'comfort harness'... then it might mean that the other harness is
not comfortable?? Of course, the comfort harness is an 'added option/upgrade' and makes more profit for those companies.
When it comes to the type of diving I will be doing it will be a mixed bag. I had originally decided to purchase a standard jacket BCD but after reading this forum most people were of the opinion that a jacket BC was a waste of money and they purchased BP/W systems shortly after starting diving - this is what made me think BP/W.
It is certainly worth investigating. The overwhelming majority of those who convert to BP&W wouldn't go back. IMHO, the small minority who return to jacket types are mostly people who didn't get the right advice to set up and use the BP&W properly.
There aren't many items of equipment in recreational diving that will draw such strong opinions from users. Converts to BP&W tend to be very outspoken on the subject. They must really
love the benefits given by the equipment to be so vocal about it.
Nobody ever said that you
can't or
shouldn't dive with a comfort harness.
However, many of us do believe that you shouldn't opt for a comfort harness out of ignorance or misundertanding.... or because of some slick marketing. Worst of all, don't opt for a comfort harness to compensate weak diving skills and understanding of the proper techniques. That is a common mistake.
My recommendations are to try and dive with the kit, before purchasing and see what you prefer. When you do that, get
lots of advice on how to fit and adjust it properly. Be aware that lots of dive professionals and shop staff won't be experts at helping you do this!
If you can't 'try before you buy'... then I would suggest you opt for a basic harness first. They are
much cheaper. If you really don't like it, then you could always upgrade to the more expensive comfort harness later... That certainly seems the most cost efficient purchasing strategy to me
I spoke to a friend of mine who dives a BP/W with twins, he suggested perhaps for me to purchase a jacket BC now and then later invest in a BP/W when I start diving doubles. He reckons he still dives his jacket BC for singles and the wing when he dives twins. He also suggested that the BP/W with a continuous weave harness isn't very expensive so having both could be an option?
If you are going to eventually dive doubles... why would you want to have to change between two different configurations, requiring different techniques, different equipment and providing different buoyancy and trim properties??
All you need is
one backplate and harness. You can easily buy both single and double tank wings. They take seconds to interchange. The only cost to upgrade to diving doubles will be a new wing...not a completely new system. Once you get that backplate and harness properly fitted, you won't want to use anything else.
The other advantage is that, in the meantime, when you are diving with the single-tank wing, you will be getting accustomed to the properties of the BP&W. When you eventually go for double diving... you will already be very familiar with the equipment.