For people that all that they can afford is a MES, OK go get it and deal with the issues that require mods to fix. But, heck by the time you by a MES 40 and add all the mods you could have bought a #2/#3 especially if you opt for the base model without the PID. But, to each his own. We can give them the data and they can make the choice that is right for them.
I have ran through a Brinkman bullet, a Big Chief, a side loader stick burner, and a MES and I wish someone would have given me the information to look at the SI (even though they weren't available back then).
The thing going against the premium smokers like Smokin-It and CookShack as that that forum is probably 70% MES and other low quality Big Box Smoker owners (just guessing), so we are a bit outnumbered usually. I have gotten into some heated discussions over there in the past and ruffled some feathers, so while I still read a lot of posts, I don't post very often. It is definitely not the most family friendly over there all the time. There are some mods and veterans that are pretty snippy with newbies over there, which is one thing that just doesn't happen here. On the other hand there are a few that are awesome resources too.
