[queball]

There is a pretty darn good chance that your first wont be your last so dont over-think it. It seems to me that budget should be the driver here and there are many choices for entry level cooks. Its just heat, meat and patience. I can tell that most of these guys are really good at what they do and I am sure that most could cook great bbq on just about any operable pit. As you improve your technique you will get a better feel for what you need.