most summoners don't put effort into gear, most summoners still think errants, moldavite, and MP gear are useful. and most summoners use it as a sideline job to their others, that doesn't make most summoners any better than sub par.[/QUOTE]

that is your opinion about how most smn are....
and honestly, this whole thing comes down to opinion....
we're not the only ones making assumptions here either....

I do see why so many use gear swap and try to min/max everything....I just make the choice to play in a different style than anyone else, and believe it or not, I do make the gear I use work....I just try to balance out what I need with the job I'm playing....and as I said...if you can't play a job well in crap gear, you can't play the job at all