I picked up an SDS-200 a couple weeks ago, I'm in SE Michigan. Traditionally I have owned GRE and Whistler scanners, never really cared for the Uniden style of programming. I live in a county that uses simulcast towers, so far it seems to be working pretty good. I'm not exactly excited about giving Uniden business due to their support rep's smug attitude on this site, but with Whistler cancelling their latest line of new radio there really wasn't a great choice.
I've also owned Unication pagers, they worked great too, but suffered from battery and firmware issues (at least when I had mine).
I can certainly appreciate an attitude on buying. I always try to buy as local as possible when I can. For instance, I usually shop at Home Depot because it's a Georgia corporation and I live in Georgia. I left the big chain coffee shop for a variety of reasons in favor of a little neighborhood shop. Anyway, for the last 10 or 12 years, I've used Uniden and, while programming can certainly be a challenge, the scanners get the job done. I still long for the days when you could just plug in a crystal and Voilà, there it was. Remember, it was Uniden that solved the simulcast problem for the consumer
The evolution in radio has necessitated a similar evolution (or maybe revolution) in scanners. There are things I still don't understand. Take Uniden's filters, for instance. I don't think anyone (including Uniden) really knows how they work and sometimes they don't work but sometimes they do. The added complications notwithstanding, I've manged to figure out the programming of the 436 and SDS100 and if I can do it, anyone ca.... Well, you know.
And the Uniden rep's smug attitude? Well, remember, he's a company guy. He has to exude confidence in his company and its products. Personally, I think the confidence is justified.