Ok, I bought my "starter kit" off of ebay. I paid entirely to much. That said, I got Two deeps, and one medium, an inner cover, a telescoping cover, a screened bottom board. A smoker, a hive tool, and a veil, and the book, Beekeeping for Dummies. I knew NOTHING about bees. I also got my starter bees off ebay..
when I set up hives two, three, and four, I am using all mediums. Just for standardization. Less frames and stuff to hassle with. I dont' have a lot of storage space.
I bought mosquito nets instead of the veil. Mainly because the veil is hard plastic, uncomfortable, the hat slide everywhere, and basically I hate it. It sets in a box until company comes. :) The mosquito nets function just as well and are cheaper.
The hive tool, I misplaced somewhere, in the grass... Somewhere.. It will show up while I'm mowing the lawn someday.. I'm using a heavy duty putty knife. It works the same, basically.
I like my smoker. But it appears to be pretty plain to me.
Basically, if you have no mentor, Know nothing, a starter kit will get you by until you figure out you need more and don't use the stuff anyway. :)