2 of the packages are travel packages. Planning to dive locally? They may not have enough lift if you dive in a full wetsuit since you'll need more weight to compensate. If you are planning to dive in Lake Michigan - especially to depth or in the colder months, you will likely need an environmentally sealed regulator to keep it from freezing up/free-flowing. That eliminatest the Alpha8/SP5 in the Price Buster package. Also it's non-balanced, balanced will work better at depth - where you need the air the most.
It also appears the Price Buster package is more designed for rental dive operations.
Designed to withstand the daily rigors of rental and training departments
It's also jacket BC - which is to be expected in that environment, you may like a back-inflate model better. It is of course personal preference. It's probably not an issue either but you might want to check with Prime Scuba about warranty coverage.
If you are only looking for a warm water travel package then the Price Buster isn't it either as the BC will be considerably bulkier than the other two.
Another possible option around that price is:
The Midline Package discounts on sale Aeris from Scubatoys. They sell others also. And are highly regarded - everything they sell has a full mfr's warranty also.
I doubt it's a problem in the greater Chicago area but can you get the Cressi gear serviced nearby?
BP/W debate notwithstanding, I also think I'd drive to DRIS and talk things over with them first. Even if they're only close to being competitive - assuming there's tax added locally - it might be nice to have local support options.
Do you really want to buy gear from Amazon and take it somewhere locally to have it configured? Since you didn't buy it from them, the service charge might eat up any savings. They're
not likely to do it for free since a local shop makes most of their money selling gear (and trips) and you've deprived them of the opportunity.
Know how to assemble/test the regulator? Check the Intermediate Pressure to be sure it's breathing optimally? - likely it
will work if you just tighten the hoses and put it on a tank but it may not be optimized. It's likely Prime is just going to ship everything to you in sealed Mfr's boxes. There's no indication they do any pre-assembly/testing in their Amazon ad. Even threading the tank straps onto the BC is often times not particularly intuitive.
Scubatoys does - your gear comes as pre-configured as possible. I've even read of people calling them, describing their height/weight and a Scubatoys rep will look for someone of similar build to try gear on if asked. Also if it doesn't fit, they will exchange it - no questions asked. And often ship the new stuff while yours is in transit back to them. They ship fast also (of course so does Amazon...)
And if there is an issue with one item, although Amazon does have a simple return process, it's still a little hassle to get it replaced. I would guess that you'd either have to send the complete package back or work directly with Prime since Amazon is just acting as a re-seller. Since DRIS is a bricks/mortar store, you'd walk out of there with your gear fully assembled and tested.
Personally I wouldn't buy a BC (or wetsuit) online without trying it on first either. Being a new diver you won't likely know if it fits correctly until you dive it. At which point it's likely un-returnable.
