Getting an air fork, which shock pump, are they all pretty much the same?

Rob.

Rock shox come with a pump, but I carry a Toppeak one in my backpack as its a bit sturdier. Wasn't cheap mind and I've never compared the two for accuracy.

Buy a decent one Fox or RockShox – I'm sure Topeak are good as well. I've had a few cheep pumps but the only one that is any good and has lasted more than 12 months it the rock shox one a mate at the LBS gave me.

Get a Beto one from fleabay – can be had for about £15 including postage, had mine for nearly 2 years now, no problems, pretty sturdy, gets up to pressure easily, has a useful little extra bit on the head that stops you losing any air when you take it off the shock.

I went with this one:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7355
for the "pressure rite" connector rather than the carbon faced dial…
good to know that the pressure has more chance of staying where you wanted it.