Are these equal in the waterproof dept? dont care about pockets or anything just want 100% dry
In a word, yes.
I use G3 and am quite satisfied as I prefer the extra pockets. If you don't need the pockets than Guide is fine. All GoreTex products will keep you equally dry. However claminess, or feeling wet, can still occur with any GoreTex material if outer fabric "wets out". Wet out occurs when the outer material saturates and causes the GoreTex to not breathe efficiently, thus becoming impermeable and trapping condensation much like a "$25 rubber Helly Hansen coat" does. I believe G4 has a somewhat different outer material than either the G3 or Guide in parts, but basically "wet out" on any of these jackets can easily be avoided by keeping coat clean, drying it WITH some heat and occasionally retreating with a shedding product like Rivevex.
Most folks know that Simms products are tough, but what most people don't realize (wanting to baby them after spending so much money on them) is how well they respond to both washing and drying. For years I would wash my G3 but then air dry. Wrong! Come to find out that drying in the dryer actually revives the outer layer improving it's ability to shed. Basicallly you can treat them much like you would jeans. The cleaner and more refreshed by drying, the better Goretex jackets perform. BTW, this does NOT work with waders, only because neoprene boots will break down under heat. With waders try using a gentle hair dryer and some Rivevex on the outside if they are wetting out too early.
In any case, the Guide, G3 or G4 series jackets will provide equally high performance over many years. Frankly, this also applies to many other Gore type jackets on the market, but once you've used Simms you generally don't go back.
As far as I'm concerned their quality is matched by few and second to none.