Mountain Biking - ~4 inches of travel, ~2000-2500 bucks?

What should I be looking at here? I'm thinking the stumpy FSR comp or the fuel ex 8, what else?

I don't race, I'm ~185 pounds, been riding a rigid steel single speed for the past year and a half, and I'm looking for full suspension since I've been doing some harder trails, but I don't think I need a ton of travel since I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to hard core drops and stuff.

I've ridden both of the bikes above, but not back to back. I've got friends that work at a shop that sells Specialized, Trek, Gary Fisher and Cannondale. should I look at the rush? what about the 29ers? I'd be buying a large or extra large, maybe a 29er would be a good thing?

I'm open to other suggestions as well. just no crazy huge free ride bikes or bikes over 2500 bucks. feel free to try to convince me to get a hardtail, I'd like to hear some opinions.

Also, if this thread is a rehash of something else, you may be a smartass and provide a link to the thread where they discuss this topic.

thanks guys (and gals)

I ride a rush and used to have an FSR XC. The geometry on the Rush feels a little long for me but I've fixed it up a little by adding a shorter stem. I really love the rush and the suspension feels extremely plush. I would give it a test if I were you.

http://ki0.net/bike.jpg

This is my 2004 S-works Enduro fsr, it has about 5 inches (130mm) of travel in the rear. The frame itself weighs about 7 pounds with the shock. Its a great climber and great for XC but can also take the abuse of moderate downhill and drops. You could definitely build up frame like this for under 2500. Specialized makes a bunch of similar models to this also.

The Rush would be a good choice, or you could look at a Prophet for a bit more travel and BB clearance.