...not only will you see which brand you like best, you'll gain some experience and understanding before you commit to a large purchase. I'd recommend trying several brands including the thin epoxies from Raka and US Comp, but also try System Three, MAS, or West. Most of these manufacturers offer a sample quantity for a small fee and may include some glass to play with. Take a scrap board or make a strip test panel with wood flavors that you like and slap the stuff on. Make sure to write under each sample with permanent marker so you'll know which is which several years later. Yes, you more than likely will refer back to this sample board years from now, maybe even keep adding to it! Anyway, spend a few bucks testing for yourself and practice with the glass on scraps to see which combination you like best, then let us know what you think. Even the one that rates lowest on your list can be used for something. Nothing will go to waste. They all work. But you only really need one brand, the one YOU feel comfortable with. That's it.

After some time goes by, when the epoxy is fully cured on your test panel, start testing varnishes and other poly top coats for UV protection and let us know how that goes. If we all compare notes, we don't have to only learn from our own mistakes.
Smf