RE: attempting to decide carbon or alluminum
It really depends on what you are willing to spend. There are so many good ones out there. I have grown fond of Gold tips. They are reletively inexpensive and super tough. I have had a half dozen now for about 2 years. I shoot a 62lbs bow with a 100gr head with complete passthroughs on whitetails.
The only complaint I have about them is that they are a little noisy and hard on your rest. They have slick tubes that seem to do well with them though.
Just my suggestion though.