ha ha yeah from forum searches i figured i'd get that response.
i was going to try the electric pump because it came with the motor, they are apparently pretty reliable these days,
and because, unlike the states, a replacement mechanical pump is not something you can just buy off the shelf here.
so electric or not, if it died on me i'd be stranded any way. and they look cool.
if it did die on me though, i promise i'll replace it with a mechanical!