I would go with the volt to start with, it has a long battery life, the cartomizers are top notch and they have incredible customer service, plus they ship fast and have good prices. Also, you can upgrade to their x2 batteries which is pretty close to the kgo. The x2 is cross compatible with the standard volt. All of their cartomizers and clearomizers fit on both types of batteries. What's good about this is you can use their standard batteries when you are out and about since it is close to an analog bit the larger x2 at home.
I would suggest the pro starter kit. It includes 2 batteries (which you definitely want), a USB charger, a personal charging case (so you can charge your batteries on the go, and a pack of cartomizers. They sell that for $65 but right now they are having a great sale, 21% off with the coupon code "memorial2012". Also, get the mega pcc, it's the same price, but carries 2 batteries and 3 cartomizers as opposed to the standard one which only carries 1 battery. Also, for $1 more each,I would upgrade to the 78mm batteries, they last a lot longer. I can usually get 3-4 hours on one with continual vaping.
As far as your filter tip, cartomizer question, I think you mean clearomizer. Many people refer to the cartomizers as filter tips because they look like the filter of an analog. The difference between the cartomizer and the clearomizer is this: The Cartomizer is a cartridge with a wicking material in them that soaks up the juice. You fill it or buy prefilled and screw it on and use it. The juice doesn't leak out since it is in the fill (like a sponge). The clearomizer is a clear take that you fill but is open on one end so the juice can roll out, it also doesn't look anything like a a cig filter. Both serve their purpose. I use the clearomizer at home and the cartomizer when I'm out. I would start with the carto.
Here is a picture to compare the battery sizes.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD