CFA and CAIA designations, question for charterholders

I've decided to pursue these two designations.
From my extensive research these two, along with possibly FRM are the ones worth pursuing.

Does anybody have any experience with using the CFA notes sold by the CFA? are they better then Schweser notes?

http://www.efastcom.com/CFABookstore/control/productdetails?&item_id=063104

http://www.schweser.com/cfa1d.php

 

for CAIA level one you can get by on notes and buying required books, level 2 i would recommend buying a course.

 

I've been successful in the CFA exams without anyone's notes, just studying the textbook readings and spending $100 on a practice test. You may need the notes if you don't have the time to devote though.

 

For the CFA, you need to ask questions in this forum:

http://www.analystforum.com/

 

FRM is geared more towards risk management and not trading.

Am considering CAIA myself but its a lot more of a niche designation; more so than FRM. Am looking at CMT as well.

 

yes, very true CAIA is a niche designation, but its all interesting stuff believe me.

I would imagine 99% of people surfing these boards are more interested in the hedge fund world than the traditional number crunching, financial modelling one