@freewillie: People use the term "need" differently, particularly when it comes to buying scuba gear.
I view "need" and "want" as two ends of a spectrum. Appropriate exposure protection is closer to the "need" end. Lightweight "travel-friendly" regs are decidedly on the "want" end. Most other gear falls in the middle somewhere. Where one is traveling and whether there are weight restrictions for the flight to get there should also be considered. Some divers carry a ton of delicate camera gear (camera, backup body, lenses, ports, housing, strobes, arms/tray, etc.). That can complicate packing logistics (# checked luggage pieces, overweight charges, what goes in carry-on vs. checked).
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Yes, but if I tell the nondiving wife it's more of a "want" then I'll still be "wanting" since I won't be able to buy it. If I tell her it's a "need" then I usually can justify coming home with a new toy! If I tell her that it makes diving safer and my daughter will be with me then there is no argument.
I still have pair 3mm tropical booties that I'll take instead of my usual cold water booties. I do have a 3 mm vest which I use now to layer under my 7mm for colder dives and will take that to layer under a 3 mm or use by itself with rash guard depending on water conditions.
My daughter has a 5/7 mm which we'll take since many others have indicated that the waters can be a little chilly and she does get cold quite easily, she said she could always rent a lighter suit there if we needed.
