Have you measured the temps along all the edges and over where the burners would be to point out any major differences in temps?
The temperature gauge model increases the price to about another $100 where I live. I was thinking that would be something that I wouldn't need to pay extra for...like everything else once you got use to the settings you could make it work well.....like a stove top for example.
So both new searwood and slate.......you could be "the guy" that would be able to introduce us to all the new things....we are all interested in these for sure.
I would buy a slate I think....it's tons of money up here but if it is actually high quality I would be interested.
I am just not sold yet........