How do you judge or form an opinion on gear you have not tried?

[JeffG]

I dunno if that's a completely valid criteria ... BCD's and SPG's were a non-issue for people who were used to diving without them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

So in this scenario. Diving with no SPG and then SPG's are invented.

Looking at the problem, the SPG gives the diver constant feedback on his/her gas supply, whereas before I waited till the reg started breathing like crap and then flip the switch on my valve and get out of dodge.

The downside is that I have an extra gadget and hose.

In this case the benefit is worth the extra failure points.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

So in this scenario. Diving with no SPG and then SPG's are invented.

Looking at the problem, the SPG gives the diver constant feedback on his/her gas supply, whereas before I waited till the reg started breathing like crap and then flip the switch on my valve and get out of dodge.

The downside is that I have an extra gadget and hose.

In this case the benefit is worth the extra failure points.

Point being, Jeff, that a lot of people apply that same exact thought process to their gear purchases ... but since their background and experience level is different than yours, they apply it to gear that you obviously don't need or wouldn't purchase.

Doesn't make the gear useless ... it makes it useless for you ... (and me, since you and I pretty much dive the same configuration) ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[UncleJoes]

Flawed? Unhelpful. Hardly. The truth is a stubborn thing.

Case in point. Your Quick Disconnect Lanyard for your mask.


I call them like I see them.

You completely prove my point. You have added NO constructive critisism whatsoever. All you have done is chew out things you don't have the ingenuity to invent yourself. Stop wasting board space with your neanderthalic negativity

And I don't understand your problem with my mask solution. I have Cluastrophobia. Wearing the mask on the surface creates an unnecessary level of anxiety for me. So rather than wear it around my neck where it becomes uncomfortable, or backwards on my head where it is prone to getting washed off, I came up with an out of the box solution.

 

[JeffG]

I dunno if that's a completely valid criteria ... BCD's and SPG's were a non-issue for people who were used to diving without them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Actually, to give it more than a single line answer. For any/all pieces of gear, a diver could (and should) put some thought into why would I add this "thing" to my kit.


1: What problem does this piece of gear solve?
2: What additional problems does it add when it is used?
3: Can the problem be solved by another piece of gear?
4: Can the problem be solved by a change in skill?
5: Is the problem caused by a previous gear selection?

Weighing the pro's and con's you should arrive at a reasonable solution.

(and here is the additional real life issue)

6: Cost/Benefit


Important Note: The answers to Points 1-5 might not be apparent until the piece of gear has been used in the water.

 

[The Chairman]

Would you rather trust the people that have bought into the manufacturers claims and now have a vested financial and powerful emotional interest in perpetuating those same claims as being true?

Dude, If I were ONLY worried about the money, then why would I publicly disagree with one of my PAID subscribers??? If this were my SOLE motivation, then why have I always castigated the opponents of the BWOD?

Let's face it: you have a "rep" to protect. Most everyone here does. Most want to come off as "no nonsense" divers who aren't afraid to call things "crap". It's cool to be the first on your block to show people that you don't like something. Nothing really wrong with that, but when someone comes and questions the veracity of such a statement when you have absolutely NO TIME with the product, you want to paint ME as having these nefarious motivations. Anyone who knows me (like Walter), know that I have an over developed sense of fairness. When I see something getting a bad rap for no reason, I jump in and defend. You can call that a character fault if you want.

 

[JeffG]

You completely prove my point. You have added NO constructive critisism whatsoever. All you have done is chew out things you don't have the ingenuity to invent yourself. Stop wasting board space with your neanderthalic negativity

Boo hoo hoo

Get over it.

 

[UncleJoes]

finally real advice!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Actually, to give it more than a single line answer. For any/all pieces of gear, a diver could (and should) put some thought into why would I add this "thing" to my kit.


1: What problem does this piece of gear solve?
2: What additional problems does it add when it is used?
3: Can the problem be solved by another piece of gear?
4: Can the problem be solved by a change in skill?

Weighing the pro's and con's you should arrive at a reasonable solution.

(and here is the additional real life issue)

5: Cost/Benefit


Important Note: The answers to Points 1-4 might not be apparent until the piece of gear has been used in the water.

I agree ... but the answer to ANY of the above is subjective ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[The Chairman]

Also...if it is meant to solve an above water issue, I would think twice before even trying it.

Funny. Most accidents happen on the surface as we enter/exit the water. I would think PARTICULAR attention should be given to this in terms of skills and equipment.

 

[JeffG]

I agree ... but the answer to ANY of the above is subjective ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

There is the right way and the other.