Why buy the best gear?

[ronpriskie]

My LDS tried to sell me basic entry level equipment. I upgraded to better than average hoping I would benefit in the long run. Time will tell!

I have been helping out at my LDS and it seems that whenever someone who is new to diving comes in, they have to have all of the best equipement and "coolest" accessories. It just makes no sense to me why some instructors and LDS owners try to convince their charges that the more expensive an item is the better. Aren't we teaching the wrong message? It just doesn't seem responisible as most of these people will only be diving once a year or less. I know what many will say; That it is how a LDS makes money, and that there are many people who do "strenous diving" that need the best equipement. I myself have been useing the same equipement since I started diving, and have over 500 dives on it, and I do not feel the need for anything else(and my gear is far from the most expensive) I guess I feel we should let new divers get their perverbial feet wet before we throw them in the deep end, equipement wise.