Actually for what its worth, getting reliable equipment is more important than buying expensive equipment. We strive for a balance between cost and product reliability. Same with u/w photography equipment be it housing, strobes or lenses.
Personally, when it comes to the equipment that keeps me alive then I think its really naive to skimp. I have heard from my instructor friend that they are people who build their own BCs!!! And as most of us knoe, a regulator even if it fails it doesn't shut down and stop giving you air, in fact it does the opposite and gives too much. So I guess its not a matter of being cheapskate or not, its how much of a balance we are willing to strike. As for equipment that fails because of so called new technology I am glad that what I have today has been tried and tested by the most extreme of divers, tek divers.
Yes, I also agree that salespeople shldn't be pitching sales talks in such forums and also shouldn't be slamming other brands of equipment by saying they are no good or what not. Finally like our u/water photography equipment, maintenance is important and even the best of the best gear will fail if improperly maintained.
Personally, when it comes to the equipment that keeps me alive then I think its really naive to skimp. I have heard from my instructor friend that they are people who build their own BCs!!! And as most of us knoe, a regulator even if it fails it doesn't shut down and stop giving you air, in fact it does the opposite and gives too much. So I guess its not a matter of being cheapskate or not, its how much of a balance we are willing to strike. As for equipment that fails because of so called new technology I am glad that what I have today has been tried and tested by the most extreme of divers, tek divers.
Yes, I also agree that salespeople shldn't be pitching sales talks in such forums and also shouldn't be slamming other brands of equipment by saying they are no good or what not. Finally like our u/water photography equipment, maintenance is important and even the best of the best gear will fail if improperly maintained.