The idea with my gear is to get good enough stuff that I can dive year round in Wisconsin, but not spend a bunch of cash.  All divers seem to feel strongly that their way is great.  Their brand is great.  Here is my first stab at it.  Let me know if you disagree. 

I think I?m going for the Aqualung Mythos.  It seems to fit well and have a wide view.

I have no friggin clue what to get.  This area seems to be where the most gimmicks exist.  Its like the Nigerian bank scam of diving.

A LDS (local dive shop) has offered me a good deal ($625) on a new Diving Concepts Neo Z.  I originally was thinking about getting a Trilaminate one, but the price is right.  It may be a tad short in the arms, but I think its ok.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.  I just can?t spend $1500+ right now on a suit, but would really like to start diving. 

 
Undies

Thong all the way.  Oops...wrong website.  Thinking about just getting some fleece from a surplus store.  I?ve been told the neoprene suits are pretty warm.  One shop worker told me he dives in jeans and a sweatshirt.  *shrug*  I don?t think I need to spend $200 on a special long-john set.

 
Back-plate, harness, wing

I?m not getting a jacket style BC.  I didn?t like them much in my class.  The backplate/harness seems like a great idea.  Its absurdly simple, but very versatile.  I can change wings if needed.  I can expand to doubles.  I think I?m going to go with the halcyon SS (stainless steel) with a 40lbs eclipse wing. 

The amount of lift needed is something I?m just not sure about.  Everyone says something different.  One guy says 27lbs, one says 36lbs or 40lbs.  Can I get 50?...SOLD to the man in the wetsuit!  I just don?t know. 

regulators

The apex systems seem about the right quality/price ratio.  I'm thinking about getting a TX50.  People use them for tech diving so they should probably be good for me and my gold water adventures.  I?ve been eyeing some on eBay.  Hopefully this isn?t a dumb idea.  I figure they should be easy to service. 

I do think I?m going to go for the DIR system of a 7? hose for my primary with the secondary under my chin on a bungie.  I like the idea of being able to share comfortably.  And I do think that in an OOA(out of air) situation, most people will probably grab your primary.  Hey, it?s the one they know is working.

Bottom timer / computer

Not sure here either.  DIR says screw computers.  But lots of people use them.  I must admit the computer geek in me would love to have a fancy log of all my dives complete with dive profile printouts.  The suunto gekko looks kinda good. They say it doesn't download to a PC, but in the shop, it had a interface hookup.  Not sure what the deal is with that.  Maybe a vyper is better.  A good bottom timer is probably good to have either way.  

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, please feel free.  There is so much out there, it?s a bit overwhelming.