Well, my answer is based upon your statement that you would rather save up for something really good than get something right away of lesser quality.
If that is really true, save your money and do your open water class with James Mott in Detroit, or better yet, do the GUE open water program somewhere. Training is FAR more important than equipment -- equipment rental is usually included in the cost of an open water class, and afterwards, you can buy stuff over time or second hand. Middle-of-the-road gear is often still very good gear, and costs much less, but you have to know a little bit about what you're trying to accomplish.
But there is no substitute for good training.
If you can't or don't want to travel, consider talking to our own ppO2diver. I suspect he teaches an excellent OW class, as well.
But my basic point is to spend what you have to for a high quality open water class, because a longer, more thorough class will make diving far more fun for you right out of the gate, and will make it far more likely that you will stay with the sport.
If that is really true, save your money and do your open water class with James Mott in Detroit, or better yet, do the GUE open water program somewhere. Training is FAR more important than equipment -- equipment rental is usually included in the cost of an open water class, and afterwards, you can buy stuff over time or second hand. Middle-of-the-road gear is often still very good gear, and costs much less, but you have to know a little bit about what you're trying to accomplish.
But there is no substitute for good training.
If you can't or don't want to travel, consider talking to our own ppO2diver. I suspect he teaches an excellent OW class, as well.
But my basic point is to spend what you have to for a high quality open water class, because a longer, more thorough class will make diving far more fun for you right out of the gate, and will make it far more likely that you will stay with the sport.