European -vs- US high-end

that's more than a little like asking whether it's better to marry a bulgarian or a hawiian. fact is, several of the highest-of-high-end u.s. manufacturers design their gear to match the taste of europeans, since that's their largest market. the same is true, to a lesser extent, of european makers who sell into the u.s. market. so, "it's a small world after all." -cfb

natalie: wow! i guess canada's winning a couple of olympic medals has engendered a reinvigorated national spirit. best thing about canadian gear is that it's priced by loonies. :o) -cfb