AC recharge choices

So summer is close and I need to recharge the AC in my CRX. Ive been doing lots of research and have come down to three choices: refill with expensive R12, convert to r134a, or try Duracool (R-12a). R134a isnt as cold as r12, but r12 is not only hard to get, its also expensive. Ive also heard of many people having problems with the r134a with leaks and frozen compressors. Duracool is hydrocarbon based and many people say the stuff is dangerous. Obviously my rex has a leak somewhere which needs to be fixed before refilling. Im leaning more towards r12 at this point but am looking for some insight from anyone here on their AC experiences in their crx or civic.

I'm going to be doing mine with just the R134a - it may not be quite as cold, but it's better than paying an ass load. I'm getting ready to do mine here in the next month or two. If you don't have yours done I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm going to be doing mine with just the R134a - it may not be quite as cold, but it's better than paying an ass load. I'm getting ready to do mine here in the next month or two. If you don't have yours done I'll let you know how it goes.

I've heard bad things about r134a in a system originally designed for r12. R134a molecules are much smaller and escape a lot faster than the CFCs in r-12, so im kinda skeptical. I wanna do my ac right the first time. I'm thinking of having a tech completely fix all the leaks in my system and get that sucker tight, then invest in r12. I figure the recharge will last me a few years after fixing all the leaks and the r12 will be worth it since they say it freezes your balls off.

Damn treehuggers banning CFCs, back in the day you could get a can of r12 for like 99cents; now you'd be lucky to get one for 30-40 bucks.