So my question is at what point do I look at buying a BC, reg, & computer; should I buy what I can now or wait awhile before purchasing?
I don't think there's a single set answer. Here are a few questions that may help:
1.) Are you going to be doing a lot of diving with rental gear soon? Look at the rental rates where you'll dive; those fees add up!
2.) Are there some things where you know what you want? I'm pretty much a run-of-the-mill jacket BCD guy; I like my Sherwood Avid 2x weight-integrated (and I greatly prefer weight-integrated to a weight belt), but if you've got some doubts that maybe you will want a back plate/wing configuration later, that may be different. An Atomic Aquatics Z2x regulator, for example, is one of a number of reputable brands/models. Do you think you'll be be doing any cold water diving? Some people like reg.s that handle cold water well.
3.) I like computers that log the dive for me. Some people like wrist units, some like console units. Air integrated is nice, but with a wrist unit that means a wireless transmitter system, and costs more money of course. Are you willing to shell out nearly $1,200 for the simplicity/intuitiveness of an Atomic Aquatics Cobalt, or do you want something several hundred cheaper that can do the job, like an Oceanic Pro Plus 2.1?
4.) If you buy a good set of gear today, and in, oh, say, 3 years, decide you want to 'go further' in diving, maybe get some technical training or take a GUE Fundamentals course, you decide you need a different dive computer and a back plate/wing rig, how upset will you be over replacing some of what you get?
It might be worth taking a look at some representative gear. You can see what it runs (I like Scuba Toys online, mention you're a ScubaBoard.com member and hopefully they still do the discount, & get it as a package deal).
1.) Sherwood Avid BCD 2x size. My last BCD had one tank strap, and I am committed to never buy a 1-strap BCD again! Weight-integrated. Zeagle is a strong brand name but some of theirs have a ripcord weight release system that can take time to reattach, and since I sometimes need to hand up my weight pouches before getting back on a dive boat (that happened at Puerto Rico once), I don't want a ripcord system.
2.) Atomic Aquatics B2 reg. (a Z2x probably would've done fine; I was aiming for strong brand name, popular 'middle of the road' model, long service interval - paid for the privilege!).
3.) Oceanic VT3 Dive Computer with wireless transmitter. Never broke down & used the transmitter, like the computer okay but working the interface is unintuitive and over time the time setting gets way off & I almost never fix it so my dive log times are wrong, and yet I do like that it logs my dives & sends the info. to my home computer via (nearly $100 proprietary) cable. I hope to get an Atomic Aquatic Cobalt, in hopes that a rechargeable battery that lasts for years before needing replacement (so I needn't have my buddy replace the battery periodically) and a reputedly simple, intuitive interface (so I'm more likely to set the time right, and put in the exact nitrox mix, not just say 'close enough to 32%' - shame, shame, some would say...) will encourage me to buckle down on my precision a bit. There's now a VT4, by the way, and people are speaking well of it and its interface.
I suspect a good, brand name & model regulator will suit you, and some people like their own reg. because you stick it in your mouth! You might want that first.
I dive almost entirely warm water settings, mainly the Caribbean or (in summer) a local quarry. You may not like jacket BCDs & I don't know what kind of computer you will want.
Richard.
