Which brands and models do you prefer?  Bad experiences with a particular brand?  Looking at adding this into my arsenal of gear, since im getting old and need all the protection i can get.

I have A*** works great

Impact Armor. It's the best you can get in my opinion.
My son and I both use it!

www.impactarmor.com

yeah i talked to a couple people that race up in my area, and impact armour is a big hit.  plus its custom fit to your body.  seems pretty resonable.

I like my SixSixOne Gear, but I have limited experience with other products.

http://blog.empiregpservices.com/post.cfm/review-sixsixone-core-saver-crash-tested

 Bohn
Been using both back and chest protector for about 3 years.

Whatever you get don't scimp on the back protector I learned the hard way two fractured vertebrae,and six years later, a hell of a lot of pain. Wish I would have had my Bohn protector when that highside occurred.   

What about the numerous articles (I can remember at least one in Road Racing World) that concluded that most all 'back protectors' have little to no actual effect in protecting your back?

Now don't attack the messenger here......I'm just wondering why articles like that would exist if there wasn't some accuracy to them?

Well mike I guess we should just race naked

I've crashed with back protectors and with out... You won't catch me without one ever now! I've also crashed with and without the chest protection. Now I feel bloody naked unless I'm wearing both!

I'm all for armor and greater protection - as long as it's actually effective in performing the 'implied' task (if it's not then it just adds bulk and inhibits movement). I suppose a better way to put it would be do back protectors more or less provide a 'feeling' of more protection or do they live up to the 'actual' protection their name is meant to imply? If I remember correctly the article I mentioned said that the main benefit they found would be to reduce puncture type wounds, but as far as actually protecting you from breaking your spine or bones in your back most were ineffective and only one at that time was borderline minimally effective in reducing the amount of force transferred to bones (I believe it was the Bohn because it was a one time use 'crush' type of armor).

ive read some of these articles as well, and of course there is no evidence either way. no two crashes are exactly the same, it would be impossible to duplicate every single situation that one could fall from a bike to conclude either way.  i think if there is a possibility of me walking away sore and really bruised versus maybe some type of fracture. well id rather go the safer route.  im also gonna check out a neck brace too. i got enough injuries as it is im dealing with.