Putting together a middle range gear set for a new diver (me)

[AlexRD]

Hope the holidays have been fun for everyone! I'm looking to put together a mid-range SCUBA set. I just got "Advanced" Open Water certified by PADI to 130ft depth, but have 10 dives under my belt. My family owns a place in the Bahamas that I travel to a ton. I'm looking at putting together this ~$1400 set, as I'll probably be diving here 30-40 times a year depending on how often my job permits me to travel.

Can I get an overall opinion on this gear? From what I've seen the reviews seem to be great, and it seems it'd be good for a few years.

Mares Abyss Navy 22 Scuba Regulator 416158 with reviews at scuba.com - Reg & Octopus combo
Buy Mares dragon airtrim bc 417207 with reviews at scuba.com - BCD
Mares Nemo Matrix Air / Nitrox Wrist Computer Dive Watch 414166 with reviews at scuba.com - Dive Watch
Sherwood 3 Gauge Navcon with Dive Compass CG3150 with reviews at scuba.com - Pressure Gauge/Compass/Depth Meter (playing it safe with redundancies in the compass and depth meter)

Looking forward to some advice here! Seems straight forward and like a good set of gear. Let me know what you think if it isn't too much to ask!

 

[Scared Silly]

Though in the past I dove Mares gear (including an Abyss) and still have an MR12 I think you can do better for less money. For instance, I dive Atomic Regs, namely the Z2 which runs $400 plus a $300 for an octo. So for $100 more than the Abyss you have both a primary and backup.

Same comment about the BCD - seems expensive and over kill for warm water diving. I would go for some thing more streamlined. Backplates and wings are my current choice (look at DeepSeaSupply) or if you want a more traditional BCD take a look at Zeagle (Scout).

The computer and gauge set is fine. Though if you are buying a computer the depth gauge is redundant. I would suggest just and SPG and get a compass for your wrist.

No matter what brand you go with do some more looking around. And certainly visit a few local shops and see what kind of a deal you can get.