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My tumbler is the generic equivalent of the Cabela's model. I've had it now for about 15 years and it still works fine. The thing I don't like about it is it has no switch and you have to plug/unplug it to turn it on/off. Not enough of a problem to force me to install an inline switch though.

As to separator, I don't use one. I simply remove the top of the hopper and pick out the brass as it rotates to the top. Then I let the mouth of the case rest on the side of the hopper (while still running), and it shakes all of the media out of the case. This is not a big problem with straight walled pistol cases but with rifle cases, it can sometimes be a chore to get all the media out past the small case neck. If you don't use the strainer/sorter/separator, you don't need the 5 gallon bucket either.

I went mid-price and passed on the nice to haves. Bought mine at a gunshow and have yet to regret the purchase.