I am definitely in Group 1, always going for the the simplest and the cheapest. And "If I've never seen this gizmo I don't need it!"
However, Group 2 is really diverse. There is the Gear Freak, who is always overloaded with gear and everything is top-notch and extra-durable. He has so much gear on him he looks like a Christmas tree. His BCD holds the tank with at least 2 straps, maybe more. His hose must be extra long and his fins must have springs. On some relaxed Caribbean dive while the girls next to him dive in thong bikinis, closed-heel fins and some garbage rental gear, he'll show up with a backup computer, safety sausage with a spooler, and a pony bottle.
And then there is the Hipster who's just trying to be different. The Hipster has a wing BCD because nobody else has a wing. He has a white wetsuit because nobody else dives in white wetsuit. Etc, etc.