I've thought about them. Haven't bought one though. Nothing wrong with them (except in very particular circumstances), just didn't 'appeal' to me. Typically, they are not the 'typical' radio. They do have some very nice features. They also have some not-so-nice features (in my opinion, but then, if you ain't got Kenwood, you got squat, right?). Ten-Tec has been a sort of 'trend-setter' for computer based radios. Not always the 'best', but what 'start-up' thingy ever is?
What should you do? Just about what you are doing now, ask about them. And just like any other brand, you'll find those that think the sun rises and sets on them, and some who couldn't be given one. And while it's never that easy to do, sitting in front of one and playing with it is probably the best solution.
One word about 'older' models of any brand. If they were so @#$ great, why did they stop making them? You know? A 'bad' feature to me probably isn't a 'bad' feature for someone else less discriminating, or I just might not know what the @#$$ I'm looking at anyway.
Like one of them thingys? Try it.
- 'Doc
(That's about as useless an answer as you'll find, ain't it?)