Sas
Contributor
I was just poking at you BP/W guys !!! You took the bait.
I'm just trying to bring balance to this forum.
You didn't answer my question. Why is a BP/W considered technical gear to you?
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 ).
How is a BP/W an expensive tacky/techie gadget or pseudo tec? That was my question... (Also my BP/W was $400 cheaper than the BI BC I got first!)
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.
How is a drysuit and a BP/W and expensive regulator sets relevant to the fact people bought too early and inappropriately? Any gear would be inappropriate. I bought a wetsuit, a BC and expensive fins when I first started diving. Now I have a drysuit, a BP/W and cheaper but better fins. The type of equipment one buys is irrelevant, what matters is if it suits the person or not.