Hi O-ring from NC,
I see you have flushed out the BP crowd, but there are still some of us BC users around (Ranger).
I have a little different take on the question. That is, what type of diving are you planning on doing- now and in the future? As I see it, this has a large bearing on what equipment you will want/need and how much to spend. For instance, if almost all of your diving is say shallow Caribean reef diving, a mid priced reg, a simple computer and a travel BC would do nicely. On the other hand, it you intend to get into, oh say cave diving in the future, then a Hylcon wing and BP with the best reg you can get your hands on is more the way to go. Maybe some where in the middle is what you need. Only you can answer that question.
Another question to ask yourself is "what options/gismos/features do you want/need or just gotta have or and on the other side what can you do without. Do you want things like intergrated weights or pockets or the ability to handle twin tanks or nitrox on the computer. The best way I know to determine this is to learn as much as you can about the equipment that's available and then rent, beg, steal or borrow different gear until you know what YOU want and need. What I like or need really does not matter, it's you who has to be happy and comfortable in the equipment.
The Zeagle gear you are looking at will do a nice job for any rec diving you care to do, the Ranger being the limiting item, will do nicely until you start to getting into twins and more demanding demanding diving. Here again, do you see this kind of diving in your future? Another "problem" I personally have with the Ranger is it's actually a lot more BC than I need for most of my diving. It's fairly heavy and the bladder has a lot more lift than I need and it takes up a lot of my suitcase. I am looking at an Escape or Scout as a travel BC for that reason.
On a different subject, are you going to be diving Lake Rawlins any this summer? I am going to try to make a couple of trips if I can, may see you there.
