Wow
That reads like a loaded question. Personally I can only base my decission on experience.
I train anywhere from 20 to 30 dogs a day so I have to have dependability. I did not get that from the Max 5000 units.
The BB's have given me few problems. I had some bumper blow up problems do to design, they replaced everyone and charged me nothing. Since then they have redesigned the bumpers and I do not hear of people having as many problems. I have wore out about 20 servos and they replaced everyone of them. Speakers have gone bad and they were replaced. I have sent the Max 5000 units into be repaired 3x, it cost me shipping there and back and the parts that "wore out" were not covered under any warranty so I paid for them as well. I have had three plates come apart on the Maxx 5000 from combustion. There response was just take them to a welder and have them repaired. Another cost to me.
I do not know if they operate any differently now then back then, some people may be able to respond. BB had some problems with customer service for awhile but I feel thay have that handled now. Most of the major hunting dog retailers carry the Bumperboy's but few if any carrie the Etchmark product to my knowledge. there are people who swear by Etchmark I am sure but I am content with BB.
BB has spent a lot of money in design, and as the ole saying goes you get what you pay for. Also, with the upgrades now and in the futuer, diversifacation in general, with Bumperboy you can start small and increase as you need to.
I would venture to say that the BB's you see for sale are because people are upgrading or not using them. Thats just my opinion.
If your budget allows you to purchase BB's then go for it. You may not be happy with one unit if you get into multiple marks, unless you always have someone helping you? its nice to set up my 4 units and run through 12 dogs before I have to rebird.
Tim