If anyone needs a good study aide for the tech exam, I can recommend Roy Watson’s HamRadioExam - Technician. It’s an app that highlights the correct test answers, and has the questions in subject categories. Easy reading.
ARRL’s manual is the standard, I suppose, and I also relied on “Pass Your Amateur Radio Technician Class Test” by Craig Buck K41A — it also uses boldface for the essentials.
But that little app got me through. You don’t need a big chunk of time to study; if you have a free moment, pick up the phone and learn!
As for equipment — nope, I’m not happy with any of it. Overpriced from overseas. Thumbs down.
That and his general book is what I used