Kent Lind wrote:

> Geez guys, you get all caught up on what is zealotry and strokery that you
> forget to figure out what makes sense.

Kent, I didn't find anything in your decision process to argue with, but you
sort of missed the point, in fact a few of them.

1. The DIR zealots insist on one way for all diving, something most of us
don't buy into and, in fact, something most of them don't do either (every
DIR diver I know uses a computer for multi level "recreational" diving.  DIR
involves a lot more than just a long hose.
2. We are discussing individual points that we find attractive about the DIR
system, including the advantages we see and the degree of advantage they are
to the diving we do.  The fact that we discuss one aspect does not mean that
we're unaware of others, only that the one is what we are presently
interested in.
3. This list has a high ratio of experienced divers who are here at least
partly because we are fiercely independent.  We're highly unlikely to adopt
anything because others say it's best.  While we normally reach agreement on
the merits of diving issues, our assessment of relative value varies with
our experience, as does our ultimate choices for our personal
configurations.
4. We talk about DIR, but usually don't really mean DIR.  It's a convenience
only.  Everything about DIR I can think of is a return to the past.  Our
individual selections are a combination of the past and present.

In answer to your question about what each of us uses, here's a description
of my preferred equipment (today, it may be different tomorrow).
Halcyon stainless plate and harness, stainless V single tank adapter, 18 lb
travel wing.
Scuba Pro Mk 20/G250/R380 regulator with the primary on a 6 foot hose.
Oceanic console attached DIR style to my left hip including an Oceanic Data
Plus computer, SPG and compass.  A second computer on my right wrist and a
Citizen Hyperaqualand on my left.  No weight belt needed with this setup in
warm salt water, my primary diving environment.  I have an aluminum plate
for fresh water diving, but have not been in fresh water since I purchased
it.

Lee