Certification lab kits

in CCNA & CCENT
I studied for and attempted the composite exam for CCNA 200-120 on May 7, 2014 and did not pass, I got a 450 out of 825. I think my lack of hands on lab experience is what really hurt my scores, because most of the simulations I simply could not do, I just clicked "next". I tried, but it took too much time for me to figure out the answer, so I had to move on to the next question. I plan to retake the exam in the future, after obtaining my MCSA Windows server 2012.
I am looking at these kits at this website:
Cisco Certification Kits: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, used and new router and switches.
I had a basic kit in mind and was ready to buy it but now I cant find it and the link I saved, just takes me to a page that says "product not found" so I don't even know if they have the kit that I was looking at anymore.
here is the link to the "product" they dont have anymore:
(cisco-dual-2501-2900-switch-ccna-kit) I think it was 2 switches and 1 router, I am not totally sure. It was a kit for $189.99
custom ccna kit?products_id=1481
I just need the most basic, most economic solution for lab study for this exam. Which kit would you recommend?
The closest kit I could find was this one:
basic 2 router 2 switch kit
but its $224.99 and the kit I saw was $189.99.
Any recommendations for a lab kit that is economic, and viable for labbing for the CCNA composite exam 200-120?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, it doesn't have to be from the site I linked, but I only have a budget of around $189.99 to work with (this is because that is the amount of funds the Department of Rehabilitation has given me to buy the kit, and now its not available, so I now have to find something comparable to the original kit I was looking at, which I cant even find anymore) So, my budget is $189.99-$200, around that. I can afford to put in a few extra bucks out of pocket to get something that would get me a lab kit that I can work with.
I am looking at these kits at this website:
Cisco Certification Kits: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, used and new router and switches.
I had a basic kit in mind and was ready to buy it but now I cant find it and the link I saved, just takes me to a page that says "product not found" so I don't even know if they have the kit that I was looking at anymore.
here is the link to the "product" they dont have anymore:
(cisco-dual-2501-2900-switch-ccna-kit) I think it was 2 switches and 1 router, I am not totally sure. It was a kit for $189.99
custom ccna kit?products_id=1481
I just need the most basic, most economic solution for lab study for this exam. Which kit would you recommend?
The closest kit I could find was this one:
basic 2 router 2 switch kit
but its $224.99 and the kit I saw was $189.99.
Any recommendations for a lab kit that is economic, and viable for labbing for the CCNA composite exam 200-120?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, it doesn't have to be from the site I linked, but I only have a budget of around $189.99 to work with (this is because that is the amount of funds the Department of Rehabilitation has given me to buy the kit, and now its not available, so I now have to find something comparable to the original kit I was looking at, which I cant even find anymore) So, my budget is $189.99-$200, around that. I can afford to put in a few extra bucks out of pocket to get something that would get me a lab kit that I can work with.
"Never give up" ~ Winston Churchill
Comments
I will say the same thing I always say. When you buy a kit you are paying a premium for someone else to put the kit together. You will usually get slightly older equipment for a slightly higher price then if you put it together on ebay yourself.
You should seriously consider getting a copy of packet tracer and GNS3. Simulations give you everything you need test wise. Real equipment is great but strictly for the test you can use simulators.
Good Luck!
As others have covered this before, with a kit the nice thing is it's all there, tested and working, so if you are short on time and want it ready to go, it's not a bad price. Can you save a little bit of cash by picking the items yourself on ebay/craigslist yes, is it 1/2 the price, no, so it's your choice.
PacketTracer isn't free, you have to be in a cisco academy to get it, and for GNS3 you'll need to track down ISO files as well.
But, the nice thing is you have a bunch of choices.