If I was forced to choose between those two, without any other options to select from, and no time to research, I would go with Lanikai. I don't have a Lanikai or Oscar Schmidt, and I haven't had any personal experience with them. My impression, from reading this forum nearly every day for a year, is that Lanikai has a better reputation than OS. I don't know if it's true or not... just saying from my impression from what I have read is the OS is more for looks than sound. If you can shop longer, please do... it's half the fun!
–Lori