@TS: I don't want to be pessimistic, but I've seen so many divers being enthusiastic and wanting to go pro, but few eventually do. Mainly because it is hard work for not so much money and now you're diving for fun, but taking students for a dive, multiple times a day is a different cookie.
So see how it goes and don't by gear now just thinking: I need this because...
I agree a lot with what Herman says.
Second that!!
Here is my thoughts about gear...
First (especially if you think about going pro) educate yourself on the parts and variations of equipment, its not that hard, practically easier than reading some computer manuals.
Second, as far as BCD's are concerned, seriously consider weight integrated. Diving is fun, but tremendously cumbersome, you want to have the minimum "correct" gear so your not left wrestling with it under water, not to mention correct size.
Now as far as regulators go, the truth is they are practically all the same performance wise (speaking comparing same balance regulators, warm water, recreation diving... say no deeper than 130ft that I can attest to), The "how it breaths" is purely subjective, I know I am boring lots in the audience at this point, but lets all be honest, its personal preference at this point. Humorously most spec sheets show the same value across different regulators go figure...
As others mentioned it may be prudent to pick a brand that can be serviced locally.
As far as "quality" goes, all the brands are good, I believe they all offer parts for life if you service your equipment yearly... note part cost are cheap, your cost for labor depending on the shop basically starts about $60 and some shops charge a lot more.
So the question beyond the type of diving you do is do you have a pocket of cash to burn? If you want to play it conservatively, preowned dive gear can save you a butt load of cash, just be sure to wait for "clean" well cared for items, then get it serviced, and you can have some nice stuff "cheap".
You have die hard Scuba Pro fans, you have die hard Atomic fans, then you have articles (if you like simulated breathing test machines) rate gear like Hollis with perfect scores, again this is just another "article"... take it for whats its worth, I wish there would be a blind test performed to see what the fan groups would "pick" it would be a riot.
Myself, first go around was knowing I will later "upgrade" I grabbed the first basic stuff I can get. Then later I narrowed down what kind of gear I really wanted. After more time in the water you gain a sense of what/how you want your gear to be. For example me streamlined and simple. I'm not interested in knobs and switches, I want my regulator already tuned to maximum performance but if you have that adjustment knob and you have a predive free flow, you can make an on the fly adjustment, I would have to get tools... but then again I have an Omega with servo assist so im $it out of luck if my reg has a serious free flow right before a dive but.... thats why I carry a spare, true a pain to swap but not for me because it is simple. Like a boy scout motto... be prepared.. and know thy gear..
Last thought, beware of marketing and sales people, practically everyone I have encountered in life, I knew more about the product then they did... refer to my first tip above. Plus if you have an issue, you maybe able to resolve it yourself... self reliance is what this sport is predicated on.
I throw you a bone... you want the best bad ass dive equipment... simple answer... get a rebreather, in either case dont be a bone head, dive safe!