Replying to Steadicam vs. Glidecam

what do you videographers prefer? i am getting into cinematography a lot with my 7D and learning more and more each day. my parents/grandparents know i have been getting into it a lot with a few short edits and various pictures i have taken with it and with Christmas coming around the corner, lets not kid ourselves, we are all going to get something on that list...but being happy enough as it is with my ski gear from last season and not getting anything 'big' this year, i was hoping for some advice:

i have been looking into the glidecam 2000HD and the steadicam, but the steadicam is quite a bit more..are there any benefits to the steadicam for this price inflation or will the glidecam be just perfect. i plan on doing a bunch of editing/filming this season and a stabiizer such as the 2000HD would be perfect on the hill.

i only have 2 lenses for my SLR at the moment, one a 50mm prime and the other an 18-135mm. i was looking into the tokina 11-16mm (my grandmother is a photographer and has this but not sure if i would be able to 'have' it) i was also looking at the 17-40L by canon but i have read on here too that canon isnt the best glass. with having only a 50mm prime and the 18-135mm, i was thinking it would be nice to have a wider lens with minor zoom such as the 11-16 or 17-40. what do you guys think/recommend?

i would like to keep the price range down if possible but both those lenses run $500 - $750 so that is obviously what i consider to be the higher end of cost i would be wanting to ask for.

thanks.

(please dont mention anything about the christmas/spoiled aspect, we all know certain individuals that get a lottt more than that, let alone those kids that just got $500 of clothing from a particular clothing brand..)

cheers