I don't think it has anything to do with keeping the price of scuba gear down its mainly because the diving industry has been taking a down hill swirl in the last few years, Aqua lungs sales are down, production cost are up and share holders are yelling for more profit. A desperate move by Aqua lung to stay afloat in a shrinking market by introducing other products in the recreational market. Cosco, Sam's club, Bras pro, and other malty chained outlets move more Aqua lung products in one month than all the dive shops in Canada in three years. The future and money is in malty product and heavy volume sales and unfortunately the individually owned dive shop is quickly becoming a bad choice business venture that banks no longer support.