Ive heard nothing but good things about them, If i ever decide to get a decent tripod it will almost certainly be a monfrotto.

Hopefully this is the first step to your photography depression recovery.

Ill have to have a look at the kit you listed on ebay hehe.

Its a shame the Uni doesnt invest in the higher end kit. Itd be good to do some tests like the review sites do where they have the cameras set up in identical conditions to compare quality to.