If a person gets the Firearms skill group at 4, gets a reflex recorder (skillgroup: firearms) and then gets a reflex recorder (Pistols) does that work?

I know it states that you can't get a +2 by just getting 2 reflex recorders for the same skill, but is this legal?

It does not work. A Reflex Recorder for Firearms is a reflex recorder for Pistols. It also happens to be a Reflex Recorder for Automatics and Longarms as well.

The Concept of Skill Groups exists for only two reasons:
1. To save space on your character sheet.
2. To allow a Karma discount on the cost of increasing a group of similar skills.

- Umbra

Just read again this two sentences. There is no difference between the Reflex Recoder for a group and for a skill. They don't stack, so you only get the bonus once.

But i can take a recoder for Firearms group even to i don't have my skills as a group right.

You can take a recorder for any skill, even if you don't have it, but remember that the augmented maximum is current rating x 1.5, so you need the skill at 2 to benefit from the recorder (or have the skill wired to 2)...

on a related note, are there any bonuses to skills which DON'T count towards the augmented maximum?

e.g. a smartlink adds a +2 to a ranged attack test, not to the skill you're using; a balance augmenter likewise adds a bonus die to "tests" instead of skills, as do most (all?) mentor spirits;

whereas the Reflex Recorder, adept powers, and others specifically mention a bonus to the skill

or did i just way over-interpret the semantics?

I count all but the adept power as modifiers but that's manly because I only remember reading but remember that the augmented maximum is current rating x 1.5, for skill with the adept power.

Nope, the only enhancements covered by augmented skill are reflex recorders, the enhanced skill adept power and the MBW.

also control rig boosters, or whatever those nanites are called.

and a number of drugs, most of which boost perception.