I'm off to Marsa Alam again this year to do 2 weeks of diving. Before I go this time, I'm getting fully kitted up with BCD and regs.

I've had some advice on specific brands before. I was wondering if anyone has any last minute advice on things/features I should look for. Also, do you recommend I test dive with any of this new stuff before I buy? Is that, "done" so to speak?

I don't know of any shops that do 'try before you buy'.

Regs - Some people like an easy breathe some don't, you need to try some out in the shop.

BCD's - you need a comfortable & good fit with the extras you want i.e. knife holder, big pockets, trim weights, can take twins etc.

It's always personal, I'll use any reg that breathes and any BCD that fits. I'd buy a high performace reg and a BCD that is tough and will last.

Don't forget, if you need insurance for all that new kit you know who to ask!!

baggage allowance is becoming a problem. Check out the new light weight travel BC's. I saw one in Egypt this year that weighed only 2kg.( Think it was a cressi)

Allowance I believe for Thomson to Egypt is 25Kg, should be enough for my scuba gear and a change of pants!

so they say....in February it had magically changed to 20kg when I reached check in. I left check in and returned wearing extra clothes and pockets stuffed to bursting and tried again. The baggage Nazi tried to tell me I couldn't carry things in my pockets!!
Back to Egypt in July carrying a 3mm instead of a 7mm semi dry suit and my bag weighed only 19kg.
Mental note, only go to really hot places!