Beginner equipment recommendations?

[LKunze]

Spearit, I hope you aren't suggesting that everyone who dives a BP/Wing, uses a long hose reg setup, Jet style paddle fins, and does the frog kick as being a "mouth" diver with inferior skills to yours. ??? Keep in mind that not all divers that use that particular gear setup have George Irvine's highly abrasive and opinionated attitude. Personally my gear configuration evolved over time and I finally arrived at what I found to be an optimal gear setup for "me" which is pretty much a Hogarthian/DIR style gear setup. I started out using a jacket BC, then purchased a Zeagle Ranger back inflate BC, and then moved onto a BP/Wing setup which I prefer head and shoulders above the other setups I previously used.
I DO NOT however bash other divers or refuse to dive with other divers that don't configure their gear as I do. I'd say most of the divers on this forum who dive a Hogarthian/DIR style gear configuration share this same down to earth attitude. Keeping an open mind works from all sides.
Oh...and BTW...you don't have to be in a cave to do it right!