agree with both of the previous posts... what used to be the niche that those 2 pv's owned, is expanding in different ways.
there's so much to choose from and on the near horizon.
seems like one can get on one corner of this forum and not realize there are alternate universes right nearby.
the tech is complicated... ohms law is just one thing... but VV, switching, boost, boost circuit, linear, buck,, buck boost, just to name a few terms that a certainly the tip of the iceburg for a newb... it's a bit expensive true, but like Stownz said, what's hot is hot and there's nothing like getting your hands on a few and trying them out for as OP states... you and you alone to try.