I've been thinking about the decisions facing a new diver. I don't think which reg. you get is going to matter all that much, as long as you get a good one that can be locally serviced. Atomic, Aqualung, Apeks, Oceanic, ScubaPro, Sherwood, there are lots of names out there that could serve you well. If you dive cold, get one that can handle cold, as others explained.
On the computer angle, it does matter what you get, but it's probably not going to have a huge impact on how you dive. A number of people on the forum prefer wrist units for recreational diving, but if you want AI, a wrist unit means a wireless transmitter on your 1st stage and you'll pay a few hundred for this capability. I like glancing at my wrist and seeing depth, pressure & NDL all in one place. That's a benefit to wearing my old VT3 despite having the Cobalt. There's a decent chance in a few years some newer, more powerful computer will catch your eye, so I doubt you'll still be diving that same computer in 10 years.
The jacket BCD vs. backplate/wing issue is going to be a bigger issue. I only dive weight-integrated jacket BCDs and loathe weight belts; when I say jacket BCD, I assume weight-integrated, but that's not always the case. I strongly recommend you find and read through some of the threads debating jacket vs. BP/W. This decision entails in investment of hundreds of dollars. But your personality and attitude will play a role.
With a jacket BCD, once you pick one and what size, you basically put it on. Load lead into the weight pockets, maybe cinch up the straps across the front, and stick a tank on the back and hook up low pressure inflator. Go dive.
From what I understand with BP/W, you need to choose a backplate - steel (heavier; less lead to wear) or aluminum (travels lighter in baggage). Okay, what wing do you want with that? You could use a range of brands. Probably don't need a dual bladder wing... And then there's webbing; the straps that tie it onto you, including a crotch strap so it doesn't ride up. Don't see any weight pouches for an integrated weights approach? There are ways to deal with that; what would you like? My point is, BP/W might confront you with choices. Some people consider that a strength as they can customize it; some are put off because they don't want to have to learn about & decide anything.
And your BCD or BP/W is something you could conceivably dive for the next 20 years. Your regulator could last a long time, too. The computer I'm guessing you'll replace after several years. So focus your investigation on what's going to have the biggest impact on your scuba life.
Richard.
If you get a jacket instead then you need to upgrade it for tech diving.
