so why wouldnt I order the one with the best range?
Higher power consumption is the tradeoff. As long as you aren't running of a battery, there is no problem.
Right, the 3rd unit does not need to transmit. The handheld needs to transmit only, the first logger needs to transmit and receive and the second logger needs to receive only.
So, Series 2 (mesh models) seem more appropriate than point to point (Series 1) models.
Make the 1st logger a coordinator, and the other one an end device or router. The handheld unit will be an end device or router, too.
Do I need to have the equipment in my hand before I seek "PROJECT GUIDANCE"?
No, but to answer the question you posed, we need a bit more information. The XBees appear to be only a small part of the whole picture.
For instance, what is it the handheld device is going to cause to happen? All we know is that it is supposed to "send a signal" to some loggers. What that signal is supposed to cause to happen is a mystery. Why the Arduinos wouldn't do whatever logging was needed, all the time, is not clear.
I will be logging about 60 analog signals along with these sync signals from the arduinos.
Might I inquire how you will use an Arduino with 6 analog pins to read 60 analog signals?
I will use the arduino signal to visually align all of the data from the two dataloggers once it has been graphed.
Why not just timestamp the data as it is logged, and use that to perform the alignment?
I'm just asking questions, since you are now revealing more about the overall project.