Yes, the newer model (UCT-9) is an improvement on the older UCT-7. The ventilation really helps alot. It does drip "tea" out the bottom, which will eat right through a wooden deck.
Price-wise, it is a good value at around $200. To do better, either you have to make your own or spend around $500+.
Of course for large projects, there is the 29.5 cu.yd. (5,958 gallon) L&M model 824
shown below, or its big brother model 1050 which handles 96 cu.yd. (19,389 gallons)!
