Astronomical Equipment

This was really prompted by the recent digital camera
vs. film discussions.

It seems to me that amateur astronomy (and other
hobbies as well) have been seized by what I
call "lastest-and-greatest-itis."

The thinking is that newer technology automatically
MUST be better, and older MUST be obsolete.

For instance, DSC's have to be better
than setting circles, right?

Naglers, Panoptics, and Radians have to be
better than Orthoscopics, right?

Digital cameras & CCD have to be
better than film, right?

Nobody would want to star-hop when they can
have GPS GoTo, right?

If newer = better, then one question:
How come the best electric guitar amps
still use vacuum tubes?