Water Softener - Some budget options

[kenbaker]

Hi all,

I have read through these pages on water softeners with great interest, and I have learnt a lot from them - many thanks. However I would appreciate some more advice. I am about to fit a new bathroom and thought that this may be a good time to fit a water softener. I have a combi boiler feeding the central heating, thermostic shower unit and bathroom and kitchen taps. There are 5 people in the houshold. I have seen a few reduced (£300 - £400) metered water softeners such as the Plumbsoft PS11 and Waterside MS250 which because they are small in size will fit easier into my kitchen cupboard. I would ask:

1. Are they any good, is there a better choice (I will spend upto £400) ?
2. What flow rate do I need?
3. I am worried about a) the input pressure as I have read the article on the one that 'blew up', how can I check my mains pressure? and b) the output pressure, will the pressure drop too much, as I like a powerfull shower and would hate to lose this.
4. Will it help to remove the current build up of limescale in the system? and how long might this take?

All advice grstefully received

Regards Ken.