No, you don't use weight belts with the DIR system since you dive a properly balanced system that you can kick up to the surface even with bladder failure.
All I gotta say about gear, TRY before you buy. This is why it is so important to buy locally. I know the good people at Divers Supply will let you jump in the pool with some gear if you are a serious buyer. What works for some doesn't work for others. Personally I am an cave diver so you will never see me in split fins, rec bc, etc.. I dive a pretty standard Hog/DIR setup. All I have to say is picture where you plan on being in your dive career and buy gear that suits that. I like most of my friends have sold our complete first set of gear. Find a mentor and let them show you different gear and setups. Go out and talk to all the divers you meet and look at their rigs, they will be more than happy to discuss the pros and con's of their choices. What it boils down to, is do what works for you. Use what is comfortable for you.
As for atomics and DIR, well, DIR doesn't live swivels on the first stage. I still prefer my Atomic M1 over my DS4/TX50 apeks setup. I use the M1 on my primary post and the DS4/TX50 as my backup on my left post.
Another thing to think about when you are diving is what kind of diving you are going to do. If you aren't going to hit cold/dirty water than there is no need for an environmentally sealed first stage. Many different choices for many different items.
All I gotta say about gear, TRY before you buy. This is why it is so important to buy locally. I know the good people at Divers Supply will let you jump in the pool with some gear if you are a serious buyer. What works for some doesn't work for others. Personally I am an cave diver so you will never see me in split fins, rec bc, etc.. I dive a pretty standard Hog/DIR setup. All I have to say is picture where you plan on being in your dive career and buy gear that suits that. I like most of my friends have sold our complete first set of gear. Find a mentor and let them show you different gear and setups. Go out and talk to all the divers you meet and look at their rigs, they will be more than happy to discuss the pros and con's of their choices. What it boils down to, is do what works for you. Use what is comfortable for you.
As for atomics and DIR, well, DIR doesn't live swivels on the first stage. I still prefer my Atomic M1 over my DS4/TX50 apeks setup. I use the M1 on my primary post and the DS4/TX50 as my backup on my left post.
Another thing to think about when you are diving is what kind of diving you are going to do. If you aren't going to hit cold/dirty water than there is no need for an environmentally sealed first stage. Many different choices for many different items.
