I agree that people should dive with what they want. But how is a BP/W "pseudotec"? A BP/W is not "technical" or "recreational" specific gear...
I was just poking at you BP/W guys
!!! You took the bait.
I'm just trying to bring balance to this forum.
My point was, don't go for the "cool" look, or I'm a real diver - "Pseudo Tec". Many new divers (particularly young guys and "second adolescence" old dudes) can be influenced into thinking they must buy expensive tacky/techie gadgets and equipment. That would be a shame (except for those of us who like to shop garage sales and craigslist
).
I once watched a couple in their beginning class, both decked out in newest expensive drysuits and the finest of regulator sets (w/bcds - I know, that's why you'll say she didn't make it
) with the wife ending up in tears because she just didn't like diving. She didn't finish the course. I bet my LDS let her return her gear, but some LDSs would not encourage this refund.
Another time I shook my head watching a beginning class (not my LDS)
all decked out in expensive drysuits, BP/W* etc. One guy was so big, he could hardly waddle to the shore. He may be still diving today, but I thought that this was the worst peer pressure (used by the LDS to separate the fool from his money) example I have seen. It was sad - it made me sad.
*Oh, by the way, if I saw one of these BP/W at a garage sale, I'd buy it in a flash (I love the craigslist hp/3442 steels, sold by newbie ex-divers). But I'd probably end up selling it, as I have been diving with BP/W and drysuits, etc. I truly prefer my 7mm farmer john wetsuit and my jacket style SeaQuest/AquaLung Pro-QD BCD.
Just start conservatively, enjoy the diving, try out different equipment, and use what works for you.
drdaddy