Scubapro Mk2 + R290 - why spend more?

I'm a recreational AOW diver with fairly limited experience and no
Nitrox ticket (as yet). I'm managing to take two dive trips abroad each
year (e.g. Red Sea, Malta, Maldives whenever I can get a last minute
cheap deal) and a couple of local dives in at home off the UK south
coast, just to stop my knowledge levels deteriorating too much. I've
decided to invest in a BCD and reg, but my budget is rather tight.

I've pretty much decided on a Cressi Aquapro 5 BCD (good price, good
fit, looks well made) but I'm stuck for advice on regs. A 'Black Pearl'
looks great but is out of the question because I can't justify that kind
of money for 20 dives a year. The Scubapro Mk2 / R290 set up seems to
have no pose value but I found it did the job just fine for me when I
hired one on my last trip and my old dive school swears by them. I can
also afford a standard (non-titanium) Cressi Sub Ellipse reg if it was
worth the extra £40 - £50. I'd be grateful for any views on whether
either of these regs are worthwhile buys or whether I should be
considering any other options.