If someone were to give me a BK I'll happily test the theory that I'll never get unhappy with it.
You have to realize the other side of the coin. Coming to market with a skimmer for $2000 (or in some cases more) you are going to be scrutinized at a certain level. I've heard time and again how the "welds on a BK are a work of art." And time and again, I find myself not caring about how the welds look. I care about results. It does sound as if there are good features to a BK. But personally, I just can't get over the sticker shock.. I just can't. Wish I wasn't one of those folks but that's how it is.
I've been in the hobby now a solid decade and I can say that of all the skimmers I've ever owned that have failed in some manner, it's been because I myself modified them in some manner. If you take away that part of the equation, I've had a PM-1 beckett skimmer running now in continuous operation, using the same pump, for over 6 years. Possibly the best $200 I ever spent on the hobby.
I realize it's not a fair comparison but it still illustrates that longevity doesn't always come only from the higher end devices we spent our cash on.
I'd love me a BK one day, but the odds are not very good I'll ever buy one brand new - it would have to be some heck of a deal second-hand methinks.