If it's just the harness, he gave me the option of the Solo harness but it wasn't much cheaper. I decided that the Elite was practically the same except for the crotch strap and the two quick-release buckles. Or are you recommending that I stay away from BP/W setups? Either way, are you recommending that due to my lack of experience diving or just owning my own gear?
Actually, I believe that
TSandM would be rather encouraging of you moving to a BP/W setup. Her comments were directed specifically at the type of harness.
A "basic" harness, composed of a continuous length of webbing, hardware, and crotchstrap, is generally the best thing to start off with. It's simple, cheap, and quite comfortable when adjusted properly (which takes some trial and error). It will also last quite a long time, and when it wears out, it costs about $10 to purchase brand new webbing -- the hardware can be re-used.
The Elite harness, which you were discussing, has a lot of unnecessary features: a couple of plastic quick-release buckles, sternum strap, velcro hose tamers, etc. It's not made of a single, continuous piece of webbing. When the webbing wears out, it will be expensive to replace. The plastic quick-release buckles can be inadvertently activated during a dive...or they may break if trapped in between two heavy objects (tanks?) during transportation of the rig. However, there are a couple of advantages of this particular harness: (1) the quick-release buckles can make doffing/donning the rig very easy and (2) fit can be customized on-the-spot by quick-adjusting the shoulder straps (very much like a conventional BCD).
Both harness styles work. It's generally best to start with the basic harness and upgrade to the more complicated style if you decide that's what you prefer. The LDS deal that you referenced is a package, so it's difficult to break out the cost of the harness alone. Not sure how much flexibility the shop would have in terms of substituting the basic harness for the Elite harness and whether you'd be saving any extra money due to the substitution.
If I were you, I'd ask the LDS to quote me a price just for the S-30 wing. If the price is less than $250, I'd probably jump on it and then source the rest of the stuff elsewhere. For comparison, Scubatoys.com is selling the
Oxycheq 30 lb.-lift Mach V wing for $272. You'll pay less than $250 for it if you ask for the 10% ScubaBoard discount. Shipping is free since the item is over $50...and no tax.
Heck, if you wanted to get the whole BP/W setup from Scubatoys, there's
the Oxycheq/Dive Rite package for $375 (add an extra $25 to substitute a stainless steel BP for the aluminum one). The 10% ScubaBoard discount will bring the total price down around $340-$360, depending on the BP you select.
As a college student on a limited budget, I'd probably be more than happy with a used but functional BP/W, used tank, and a new reg set. YMMV.
Lots of options out there...