In this regard divers are extremely lucky... Where else can you buy reliable lifesupport systems for just a few hundred dollars. Virtually every established brand of dive gear will have a basic workhorse regulator that is more than good enough for a new diver. Just two examples are the Aqua Lung Titan (which we carry) and the Sherwood Brut (which we do not). They are both very solid regs.
Keep in mind that none of us can carry every line of scuba gear. Most of us carry what we know best, what we are qualified to service/repair and what fits into an overall set of lines that enable us to cover a wide range of price points with gear we have had good experiences with. Of course we are all partial to what we carry... If we didn't really believe in it, we would carry something else. However, it would be rediculous for any of us to say that the lines we don't carry don't have any gear good enough for a beginning diver.
The question you need to ask is not which line/brand is the best, but which fits your body and your diving the best. As DandyDon pointed out, that is a highly personal decision that no one else can make for you. Some divers have sensitive mouths and really benefit from the second stage swivel of the Atomic line. Others really find that the smaller the 2nd second stage the better and gravitate toward the Aqua Lung Mikron. Others prefer underarm hose routing and swear by the Maximus. You won't know which kind of diver you are until you have tried a few to see which you like best. That is precisely why a good dive shop operator will make sure you have a chance to try several makes and models before you buy.
Be in a hurry to learn. Be in a hurry to dive as much as you can. But, don't be in a hurry to buy gear before you know a bit more about what suits you and your diving the best.
Come see us anytime!
Dive safe and ENJOY!
P.S. We focused on regs just as an example... How cold sensitive are you, what is your height/weight, how often are you going to dive, are you going to be an avid photographer or start investigating tech diving, are you going to do a lot of traveling? These are all questions that will effect your gear choices for BCs verus backplates with wings, wetsuits versus drysuits, size/material of your travel bag etc. Lots to learn... Have a great time discovering what is right for you!
