well I've made some progress! there is so many choices for scuba stuff, i have spent days looking at this and that and reading reviews on everything. I have purchased a mask and snorkel, 1st and 2nd stage regulator , and a 3 gauge console. i messaged 3 people selling stuff on here to possibly buy what they were selling and got 0 responses. it worked out for the better i believe, i think i got a good deal.
for the mask and snorkel I went with the atomic frameless in clear, and the sv2 snorkel.
for the regulator I went with a new atomic z2x. scuba.com had a brand new demo for $280. It does have the DIN fitting instead of the yoke, but I don't think that will be a problem.
I got a TUSA (360u) 3 gauge console new demo as well from scuba.com for $130.
i am seriously eyeing up a hog single tank backplate and wing package. they have a package for $399 which I think is very reasonable after some of the others I have looked at. i guess I would have to add the single tank adapter and backplate pad to it, but the total would still be under $480.
time to start shopping for an octopus I guess.
---------- Post added September 12th, 2013 at 05:50 PM ----------
in true "me" fashion, i found a deal I couldn't say no to and just bought a scubapro pure tek bp&w complete single tank setup for $385. another demo from scuba.com! i don't think i can lose with this setup, if I don't like it i could probably sell it for a small profit. I have factory warranties with this bc, the regs, and the gauges. here is a link to the crazy sale stuff:
Open Box/Demo/Like New BCs, Regulators, Computers & Gauges - Scuba Gear