BCD & Reg Selection

Question
Hi James, I am a Allexpert with skiing, and I finally get to ask a question rather than answer! Hope I'm not too wordy.
Anyway,I am looking for a BCD and Regulator to buy for 1st time. I am Advanced OW PADI, studying for Rescue Diver Cert. ~50 logged dives. Living in Singapore, Plan on 50 more dives in next 3-4 months. So time to buy rather than rent. Plan on twin tanks in the future, trimix, technical deep wreck diving in next year.
Im a big guy, 6'1 230 lbs, use 10 kg with wetsuit for perfect buoyancy, 100 CF tank.

I like the features and construction, fit and form of the Zeagle Tech BCD. (link)

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_964/Context_954/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/...

Any other BCs that you reccommend? What's the word on Zeagle?

No clue about Regulators. More confusing than skiis. Obviously most important equipment. Any thoughts?  

Answer
Hey,

The word on Zeagle is good... if you do diving that requires that sort of gear and you like that style.  I dive either fresh water caves or the caribbean.  The caribbean is warm and I dive with a very low profile, trim and lightweight BCD. In the caves, I use a backplate/harness, which is my favorite setup for technical.  I don't personally like the Zeagle setup for tech diving since I'm trained to use the modified Hogarthian style (please read this! http://www.cavediver.net/archives/Gear/hogarthian.htm and http://www.sfdj.com/hogarthian/hog2.html)

If you plan to dive like a cave diver, you will always be prepared for anything.  It is the ultimate in training.

To me the best setup is backplate/harness/redundant wing and training on how to use it all and maintain perfect 'minisub' bouyancy, without ever lifting silt.  A modified frog kick is your best friend in overhead environments.

On regs, all the quality regs are reliable and breathe nicely.  You might consider buying regs that are on the Global Underwater Explorers list of approved regs, since they are considered by many as the high-church of technical diving, and if you go GUE, you'll have to conform to their guidelines, which are good.... mostly just modified Hogarthian but with some subtle differences and team preparation.

Hope that helps.

saludos,
James