Ocean Currents wavemakers:
http://www.ocean-currents.com/products.html
J&L prices: their page entitled "Wavemakers"
Sea Swirl website:
http://www.sea-swirl.com/
If their products are made as well as their website, I would be concerned. ;)
But you have one good review at least. The failure rate quoted by your LFS would steer me away, however, if they are being honest and not just trying to sell you the alternative.
Does anyone use surgical tubing in short lengths, attached to the PH nozzle? I'd be curious to see how the snaking would distribute the flow.
Cheers,
AJ