Fleck is the best, by far, and used by professionals in New England. You can get a whole system retail at Walmart for about $700. Installation is simple requiring only basic diy plumbing skills if you want to install a bypass for convenience. It includes a resin tank, the resin, a regeneration valve and a tank to hold salt.

Ron
 

Do not waste your money. Had a small cheap one like you are talking about when we bought our house. It failed a few months later and we took it out. Personally I think the
Villages water at least on the north end is better than soft water. Less mineral deposits on showers and toilets than with softener and no salt deposits. A little chlorine taste and oder but you will have that with water softener unless you get a special filter. Less body itch and no difference on laundry. Bought a chlorine filter for refrigerator on Amazon for drinking water that takes 100% of chlorine taste and oder out. Much better water without water softener!

Culligan