My advise is don't go cheap and stick to what's compatible with the platform. Lots of guys talk about the cheap rifle they put together and say they run fine, but their idea of running fine is that the rifle survived a few trips to the range a year.
I run over 30k rounds a year practicing and I am what I would consider casual about being proficient with my firearms.
I've found that you usually get what you pay for but the law of diminishing returns still applies. I stay away from lower tier stuff, like Anderson. When it comes to stuff in the upper tiers that are reasonably priced, I like Aero, BCM, Spike's, etc. I've found that paying a little more buys you more quality control and usually a better finish.
As for the Aero you're talking about, I think they look cool and they work just fine. The downside is the threaded pin for the bolt catch. What if you lose it? What if you lose it at a really bad time? The other thing I don't like about it is that the contour makes using a BAD lever a questionable proposition. Lastly, I don't like integrated trigger guards. Admittedly, bending or breaking one isn't common, but it does happen and is irreplaceable if it is integrated.
Since you are asking this question, I have to assume that this will be your goto AR. Meaning, if you ever NEED it, you're going to need it to work and keep working. If this is the case, I'd suggest going with a plain Jane lower from a reputable manufacturer for parts compatibility.
In the end, what you should end up with is a rifle that you can disassemble in the field with nothing more than the tip of a bullet and if need be, further disassembly/assembly can be done using a rock as a hammer and a nail as a punch. I'd also suggest a spare complete bolt assembly.
If this is just going to be a toy, then I've used a few of the Aeros you're talking about. They look cool and work well.
Don't skimp on the small parts though. I get mine from places like FCD and Bravo Company.
