Hi Tavi,
Looks like al the choices you have are good ones. Here is my $0.02.
Regarding the regulators -- both the Mares Abyss and the Apeks are excellent products. I don't have any direct experience with the Abyss, but have heard positive comments. I am in the market for a regulator right now myself, and I will likely be buying an Apeks TX-100. I like the "sealed" nature of the first stage -- the quotes I've heard from users have include comments like "bulletproof" and "can take a ton of abuse". Granted, I plan to take good care of my gear, but hearing comments like these makes me feel more comfortable. The Apeks regs are also highly regarded by the WKPP/DIR crowd --won't bore you with details, but suffice it to say these are people who subject their equipment to extreme conditions. If Apeks regs are good enough for them....they should be good enough for any conditions. Also -- see the April 2001 print edition of Rodale's ScubaDiving -- there is an article rating regs that are in the >$400 price range (they only rated new regs and others that have recently been upgraded). While this article does not include ALL >$400 regs, the Apeks TX-100 received the highest rating of those they looked at (including the Scubapro S600 and the new models from Zeagle). About the only negative I've heard about them is that the second stages tend to be somewhat on the large size. Note, jsut to confuse you further.....I have seen some recent comments that Apeks is about to launch a new line of regs with the "CTX" designation (CTX-100, CTX-50, etc.). I have an e-mail into Apeks asking about release date and features of thee models vs. the current TX line -- I am still waiting to hear back from them. They list these new models on their web site -- no description..only "details coming soon." The only comments I've heard on these new models so far is that the second stages will be more compact and they will be moving from a 1 year service interval to a 2 year service interval. Regarding using diveinn -- I know one person who has used them -- they are an authorized Apeks dealer and your warranty is 100% legit -- no gray market shenanigans here. For more data, I have included a recent thread on Apeks regs from scubadiving.com:
http://www.scubadiving.com/talk/read.php?f=1&i=242346&t=242346
On to the BCs -- again, they all look like good choices, although I am unfamiliar with that particular Mares model. I am the proud owner of a Seaquest ProQD (about 20 dives on it). I find it comfortable and easy to use -- both in terms of the adjustability and the inflator/dumps. This BC has dumps on the lower back right, the upper back right and the dump at the base of the power inflator at the upper back left -- making it easy to vent air regardless of postition. I also like the weight integration, since I use about 40lbs of weight. I've heard many good things about the Ranger -- that being said, I am not very familar with its specific features. I would take a look at the venting controls on each, the ease of operation/safety of the weight integration and how the thing fits you -- that should help narrow it down. Also try to think about how you dive and what you bring with you -- are O/D rings and pockets important and are the ones on the models you are considering positioned where you like them?
Finally -- some comments on what equipment a dive shop "pushes". I haven't seen a ton written on dive shop profitability, but based on the behavior I've seen, I have to believe that it is somewhat like a new car dealer -- different manufacturers offer different incentives to the shops at different times, leading them to sometimes push one model over the other. If a shop owner has 20 regs in his stockroom (the ones he may have bought from the mfr. on special), he is certainly more motivated to sell you these than to special order something he doesn't have.
Hope this is helpful -- good luck with your decisions.
But I've been lead to believe that Aqualung has already released something very similiar in their new Titan LX. Course Aqualung denies this and says the LX is their baby not Apeks's. But open one up and make your own determination.
