The local band has two sets of P1s, ostensibly as loaners. The way that came about was there were two band student pipers needing pipes at the same time. A well-respected piper from the Lower 48 insisted that the P1s were the best thing for a new piper (and that they cost less - which of course turned out to be erroneous), so both new folks were steered in this direction. Neither liked the pipes. At all. The experienced pipers had trouble keeping them in tune, the O-ring slides were hard to deal with, either being too tight or so loose that the drone telescopes under its own weight (same pipes, different drones), and they are really heavy. The band in embarrassment bought both sets from the pipers in question for full price, helping them to get wood pipes instead. For what it is worth, neither set of P1s is currently being played.

The condensation issue is another good point to make. Blackwood isn't really super-absorbent, but it does suck some moisture out of the air and seems to be a better thermal insulator than the delrin, which is a fairly good thermal conductor. Both qualities make for a lot less beading up of water inside the drones on wood pipes. Anyone considering pipes at this point probably has a good idea from the inside of his practice chanter whether he is a wet blower or not. If so, a plastic bagpipe needs a good moisture control setup.

Oh, another plastic option, other than Dunbar, is the Soutar poly pipes. At around $550 US from distributors, it is cheaper than the Dunbar, though a little smaller. Comes with synthetic bag and reeds. Just something to think about if plastic is your plan and you want to save a little green. These actually would be cheaper than wood pipes! I've not played them, but they are more attractive than the P1 to my eye. And Soutar has a great reputation for quality. Not that it matters, but I play Soutar reeds in my GHB chanter.