Thanks fellas, thats just the kind of info I need -

Another way to phraze the question would be...

Is there anything you would absolutely steer away from - is there any absolute junk out there that I will really regret having used, say, five years from now?

whats the bottom line? - seems to me there are so many choices the newcommers like me are overwhelmed - And we make a big deal out of stuff that really doesnt' matter - if its all a matter of "personal preferance" - I'd just as soon go cheap and practical so I can build more rods- thats my personal preference, unless of course, I find something that truley enhances performance and durability.

feel free to pm me if need be

thanks!