I know Tamiya's is really nice but it is pretty expensive and I still have to get a bunch of the different paint colors for it. I saw a revel one for only $38. Is that any good or should i suck it up and pay the extra for the tamiya?

Check out ebay, sometimes you can pick up the Tamiya for $35. Believe there is another company called Mini Hobby Models that sells a copy. Don't think the Revell kit is 350 scale

According to Garry Mini Hobby does a copy of the Tamiya Bismarck and Tirpitz. They might do the same on the New Jersey.

Yes Mini hobbies has a New Jersey, I would stray away from the Revell kit. The Mini hobbie kit is only about 8 us dollers less then the Tamiya kit, so there is not a lot of savings there, so I would go for the Tamiya kit, its a dandy!
One other thing, I hope you are wanting to build a modern New Jersey. That is what they all are, there is no WW-2 Jersey out there.

Cheers,
Garry

does the tamiya come with photo-etched parts becuase when i was reading the descrition it said something about railings and you could see them or is that something that is strictly after-market?

Sorry, the pe is after market. The detailing is all up to you, I have seen these built out of the box with no pe, and they still look good!

Regards,
Garry