Lazermonkey, my simple rule for gear is that if it won't work when I'm just putzin' around with it, then I get rid of it. Pronto.
In the past ten years, I've walked nearly four-digit figures (in miles) in just about every weather and over all kinds of terrain while chasin' pheasants, and I've wasted the GNP of a small country tryin' out gear that wasn't quite right.
I can honestly say the one thing I've learned about good gear is that it works when you need it to and doesn't even draw your attention when you don't. Anything else is simply a PIA or a PIA waiting to happen.
Maybe the only other thing I've learned about gear is that if you find something that works really well and doesn't cost a heck of lot, they'll stop makin' it. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />