Since you take care of your equipment, the sma connector on a 396 won't be an issue. Neither will models with BNC's. The damage you read about usually comes from drops, people sitting on them, or attaching them to outdoor antennas with large coax and a bunch of adapters with a lot of stress. BNC's on most models can also break connections internally, and the typical two-pronged "fingers" inside can also be forced too far apart.
So don't base your judgement on rough handling. No manufacturer REALLY makes a ruggedized scanner.
You can spend a lot of time looking for the holy-grail, single lifetime purchase, or get what suits your needs now. If you really get into it, like potato chips, you'll never end up with only one scanner that does everything perfectly.
Sounds like you are defining your needs well and would be suited for even a conventional scanner to START with. The new Uniden 125AT makes a GREAT conventional scanner. But so does a Uniden 346/396, or a PSR310/500 etc etc on conventional, even though they also offer trunking and/or digital. When either one no longer meets your needs, you WILL find a purpose for it as a backup or relieving some duties that your new machine is better at, or for things you don't want it spending time scanning.
Consider this - even if you pay more for a digital capable scanner, and only do conventional monitoring with it, you will probably be able to sell it later for a higher price than a conventional-only and recoup some of your investment on the "wasted" technology you paid for. Not only that, but most digital scanners have "dynamic memory", "object-oriented" memory schemes that do just fine for complex analog systems, where older style bank-channel setups may cramp your style.
When reading reviews, also ask yourself if the complaints come from attaching a wideband antenna in an RF congested area to a radio designed for a simple whip/duck. It can be done, but be sure to make this distinction and judge your eventual setup accordingly. AND most importantly, see if the people reporting are not just repeating the opinions of others and have never actually owned the unit in question. I've been through many, but don't hold on to them if they don't live up to my needs, and try to recoup my investment by doing so quickly.
One thing I can say based on my own personal needs - the PSR500 and it's sister, (I had both at one time) do not do well on milair / UHF sensitivity. If you aren't into milair, or don't plan to be - no problem. And, one reason I don't do GRE's anymore is that I can't take the high-end audio hiss. For some this isn't a problem - for me it's major. You'll have to be the judge - so jump into the waters with a unit, and make your own judgement.
