190 series legs are smaller, lighter and more portable.
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-tripods-190-series
Mine is an older one and have a good 90 degree head stem rotate feature. very useful for getting low and shooting down over things.
055 legs are solid and bullitproof.
http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/photo-tripods-055-series
I've an old set about 20 years old, and they are still going strong. heavy and withoput question the best for outdoors, if carrying isn't an option.
I'm not really bothered by the expense of carbon fibre tripods, and the weight saving isn't worth it. in many cases you want a solid immovable (in wind) platform, so heavy is better. old/used 055 legs can be picked up cheapish second hand.
ball heads. They don't seem to do the same model as I have, and the larger ones I have used. Basically work out the weight of the items yo want to support and get one suitably sized. Also check out the size and type of quick release plate you want/need/like. You can't go wrong with manfrotto kit.
My father bought a fairly decent spec
Giottos tripod and head, but ended up getting a bigger 055 legs and geared head when his dslr and large 400mm lens was moving too much.