Why buy the best gear?

[Santa]

I agree with Chin.

But these are times of Form rather than Essence so ... heck let's just go diving.

 

[The Kraken]

What a shame! A salesman that wants to make a living! He should be keelhauled! Just out of curosity, do you want to make money at your chosen profession?

Sorry, but it's a logical impossibility for two things to be the "best". "Best" is a superlative description which, by definition, means that there is no equal.

I prefer to question the validity of those persons whose opinions and values are swayed so easily.

I reserve the right to doubt the sincerety of those who change sides in mid-battle.

the K

 

[PhotoTJ]

Fair enough.

I didn't mean for that to be an attack, I'm just a little tired of seeing people beat this horse.

Mostly because I am this horse.

 

[halocline]

my[/I] life is worth the $700. I wouldn't skydive with the cheapest parachute, either.

If you're REALLY concerned about safety, then throw away your high performance reg and go get a SPMK2/R190. This is one of the "safest" regs in that it is among the least likely to fail; only two moving parts in the 1st stage, dynamic o-ring never subjected to higher than IP, unbalanced 1st stage which will "remind" you that you're dangerously low on air if your SPG fails, bulletproof design with decades of a track record. Of course, it's not going breath as smoothly or have the status of a high performance reg, but the argument that expensive reg=more safety="my life is worth it" is simply not in line with reality.

Look, I'm not trying to yank your chain here, and the truth is that almost any reg serviced well and made by a reputable manufacturer is very safe. But at least own up to the fact that you buy high end gear because you want it, not because it's safer.

 

[paolov]

Yerp, was in the sports store today trying (politely) to get the ever-so-bright shop assistant to grab me shoes in my size and he ignored me and went straight for the guy looking at the very expensive model ("that is the best in the lineup..."). Markups, commissions, you get the drift.

yup, so is life. next time bring someone who would look at expensive stuffs and ask alot then you go for them cheap booties.

when he ignores you, go to your firend asking the expensive stuff to leave with you as you are being ignored. lets see how he feels then...

 

[serambin]

My customers almost all ask, "What do you dive?" As a result, most of my customers rigs look just like mine.

I mean it looks sporty, but what about your mask strap? And, doesn't it come off?

Stan

 

[serambin]

Sorry, but it's a logical impossibility for two things to be the "best". "Best" is a superlative description which, by definition, means that there is no equal.

I prefer to question the validity of those persons whose opinions and values are swayed so easily.

I reserve the right to doubt the sincerety of those who change sides in mid-battle.

the K

Sorry, our courts have held that a salesman may 'puff' his wares since his opinion is as good as anyone elses. So he can say this ABC reg is the 'worlds greatest' even if scubalab doesn't agree.

Stan

 

[alo100]

There are several stmt's that I like:
1. "Best Gear not eq. Most Expensive Gear"
2. ".. the gear for the sport relates to safty issues"...
I think one of the reason why a new diver wants best gear is because they want to
"avoid the worse gear" why? stmt no.2.

Then remember salesman/ad/manufacturer can sell expensive gear as well as product
that would cause you a lot of problems. It's like why people want to buy accord or camery, because they are the best for that price range, as well as the cost in the future: low cost to maintain, reliable etc.
Notice that when we buy any product, vehicle, camera... we rely on the info we can get, feedback from the users, if our own friends used them before, that's even better, then board like this to hear other people's voice and hope that they're really providing valid info, then media that does ratings, ad and saleman are the last resources if we really cannot get other people's input. So that's why you're hearing people asking "what is the best to have?" If some of my friends are going to buy something I am familiar with, I would tell him/her with my reasons if I really know about the topic, isn't that a natural behavior?

 

[m3830431]

I think its ridiculous for newly cert'd divers to buy all their gear. They have yet to develop a dive "style" so how are they supposed to make an informed choice as to what gear would best suit them? Most haven't conquered bouyancy yet so why get locked in to a BC/weight system that doesn't suit them.

I have to disagree with this. I think if you know you are serious you should buy the equipment you can affort so that as you learn you are getting use to the same configuration which make it allot easier. Plus if you own your gear you are more likely to use it.

If you decide that it is not for you you can always sell it.

 

[Captain CaveMan]

when i bought my gear i bought the best my money could buy for the type of diving that i wont to get into.

i choiced a reg that would be good for the type of water im in. muddy, cold, so i got a enviromently sealed apex atx50.
i think know waht type of diving your wanting to do and go with it if you change your mined than sell it and get the other type.