I personally like the shuttle pipes for portability, but I agree with Richard that the A2000 pipes have the edge for overall sound. If I had it to do over, I would probably get the A2000 pipes instead of my shuttlepipes.

Check on Dunsire for used sets of smallpipes. There's a set of shuttlepipes there right now for $400, which is about half price.

All that said, have you learned a scale on a practice chanter yet? I've self-taught a couple of instruments and bagpipes are a completely different beast from most noisy things. At least at first, I strongly encourage you to get a teacher. See the sticky thread "So you want to play bagpipes" on this forum.

-Patrick