Just a question. I have read that you should get your BC first then make sure the Reg etc fits your BC. I am ready to take the plunge and purchase gear for the wife and I soon. But heck people it is so difficult to figure out. So much to learn. I want to get what I need the first time to avoid having to purchase replacement items that would sit in the shop next to the fishing rod and reels that didn't cut the mustard. Thanks for your help.
Fred
If you are not going to go get it all from the start then my advice is to buy what is hardest for you to rent. If someone is an odd size then get the wetsuit. If you need a BC that fits just right then buy that.
All things being equal I would suggest:
1. Wetsuit. You need to know you will always have one that fits and fits right. There are also hygiene issues. Besides this is less $$ than many other items so knock it off the list.
2. BC. It's the core of mastering your most significant skill, buoyancy control. Being in a rig that fits right and where you know the locations of things by memory and feel is critical. Just get a standard inflater and you will be able to plug into any common rental regulator set.
3. Regulator set. For novice diving a regulator is a regulator and rental stuff is usually fine. If you can't spring for computers yet then get a depth gauge as part of the console. This should include you cylinder pressure gauge and a compass. If you want to wrist mount instruments that is an option. I suggest a dedicated alternate second in addition to the first stage an primary regulators. You BC will have come with a QD hose of it's own that will now be installed on your regulator. If cold water, fresh water or quarry diving are in the mix make sure they are "cold water" rated regulators. The cost differential in nominal.
4. Computers are nice if you will be doing repetitive diving for days on end, like that tropical dream vacation. If you will be local divers making a dive or 2 and not diving on consecutive days it's something you can delay for a long long time. If your dives will be mainly 30-40 foot dives it is also hardly needed. When you decide to invest you will need 2, no sharing! Skip integration. It add failure points and $$. All of the integration you need is between your ears. This can go on a wrist or be a hockey puck that pops in where your original depth gauge is.
Somewhere along the way you will add weights. These will be provided free or rented at flown to destinations. For local diving you will want to get your own so you can have them set-up your way with a buckle you trust. The payback is also fairly quick over renting.
Cylinders come last and become the final key to frequent spontaneous diving. Nothing beats deciding on the spur of the moment that you want to load, go and splash.
To your question of BC fitting regulators there are 2 points:
First, staying with 1 brand dies make getting service easier. If they all come from the same shop it matters less.
Second, If you decide to get an Alternate 2nd/ inflater combo (don't) the QD connector is not universal however the correct hose will come with the unit. This could leave you in a bad spot if you need to connect your alternate equipped BC into a rental regulator.
Pete
.... if you are average sized and rental BC's work well for you then I'd get the regulators first.
