OK, try these:

1. You're talking about life support equipment and, as an AOW, doing dives
to the limit of what is recommended for recreational divers.  You can
compromise on a lot of things, including your BC device if you must, but I
suggest you think carefully about compromising with your regulator.  Not
only is it the key element of your diving equipment, it's one that, if
chosen properly, might well last you a lifetime.

2. Technical equipment is generally selected more because of how reliable
and effective it is than by the demands of technical diving.  In other
words, for the same reasons you should choose quality equipment.  While
technical divers deliberately dive in more extreme conditions than you might
choose, the risks are similar.  If you can't ascend safely with failed
equipment, recreational conditions can hurt you just as badly as technical
ones can.  You probably don't need everything that a technical divers might
use, configured exactly the same way a technical diver might configure it,
but picking and choosing the elements that make sense for your diving from
the same quality designs and manufacturers is often a good way for a
relatively new diver to go.

My personal choices, which I suggest you at least try before choosing
something else, follow:

BCD - By far, the majority of divers that give a plate and wing setup a try,
like it better than other options.  By far, the majority also start with
something else, significantly increasing their cost.  Why not start with
what you'll end up with and safe yourself some money.  Plates are plates and
harnesses are harnesses.  You don't have to have the most expensive.  Shop
around a bit and you can safe considerable money.  For fresh water use, you
may find an aluminum plate suits you best and they definitely travel better.
For salt water diving, a stainless one will probably suit you better.
Either one can be adapted to either environment.  You'll want a wing, or
wings if you dive more than one configuration (one or multiple tanks, no
thermal protection, wetsuit and/or drysuit, etc.), that only slightly
exceeds your lift needs.  Less is often better.  For single tank diving,
something around 25 to 35 lbs of lift is usually enough, but you may prefer
a bit more or less.  I do not suggest shopping for less expensive wings.  A
good one will last a long time.  A not so good one will have to be replaced
sooner.  Halcyon, Oxycheq and Dive Rite (not their bungee bound model) make
quality wings.  There may be others.

I use Scuba Pro regulators.  I have, and still sometimes do, use US
Divers/Aqualung regulators.  Both have worked quite well for me.  Apeks also
seems to be popular and is made by the same people that make Aqualung.  A
few bells and whistles are nice, adjustable cracking pressure, for one, but
not necessary.  As I recall, Apeks may be less expensive.  Whatever you
choose, when making your price/benefit choice, don't forget to factor in
maintenance.  Most regulators should be serviced annually and some,
including Scuba Pro, include the cost of parts for annual service in the
warranty.  That's a savings somewhere in the range of $40 a  year.

Consider your fin needs carefully.  The biggest, baddest, highest tech fins
may not be best for your.  If you use thermal protection, you're going to
want to use fins with foot pockets and straps.  A lot of people that do like
Mares Quatros.  If you don't need thermal protection, consider full foot
fins.  They cost about half as much and transfer energy from the legs to the
water more efficiently.  Don't let anyone tell you that they're only for
freediving.  That's a bogus claim by those who stand to profit from your
mistakes.  I like Mares Avante and Avante TRE full foot fins.  Both are good
in both fresh and salt water diving and both are quite efficient.  I do not
recommend the Mares Power Quatros or any freediving fin unless you really
need the power they can provide and are willing to develop your legs to make
good use for that power.  I use Power Quatros for spearfishing, but use TREs
for everything else, including snorkeling.  Personally, I dislike Jet Fins
or anything else that is vented.  They have their place in environments
where the amount of water moved, and control of the direction of water
movement is critical, where there is silt, for example, but generally do not
work as well for me in other environments.  Others will disagree.

Lee