Generac are great units. I am a dealer and certified service tech for them. I have a GP 5500 for my back-up power and for an inexpensive unit it works flawlessly. If you want an automaticly transfering unit you will spend more money, it is all in what you want. I don't see many major problems with the generac units, usually simple sensor issues or mouse damage. Mice will cause more damage than anything especially if your unit has a block heater.
Menards has the GP6500 I listed on sale for $679, normally $779, with an additional 11% rebate. I'm leaning towards picking one up, and I think that is a pretty decent price on the unit. It should give me enough power to run the well pump, sump pump, furnace blower, possibly the oven, and some other small items (lights, tv, outlets, etc) without needing to worry about too much draw.In my honest opinion.. Some of the top brands for small home (portable) power supply are the following, with some notes..
Honda - expensive but very good
Genrac - reliable, moderatly priced
Honeywell - mid level, reliable, lower priced
Gillette -Indiana company, higher priced then some, reliability is good
Anything from Harbor Freight, etc. - better than nothing..
A place for info..
Best Portable Generators | Top Picks and Reviews at ConsumerSearch
As for technology..
An inverter unit is much cleaner power, usually lighter weight, better fuel economy but way higer prices..
Non-Inverter units should be ran and loaded a couple times a year, I run my generators at least tow or three times a year, running the actual emergency circuits of my house just to make sure eveything is good.
If your unit does not have an hour meter, put on on it or record the info in a log book. Keeping a log book for critical equipment may sound liuke over kill but in a pinch knowing how many hours are on your equipment, the oil, the air cleaner, the spark plug, etc will make doing preventative maintenance easier and make it worth while..
If you just put it away and leave it then the next time you need it cross your fingers it works..
I have a written procedure and everything labeled so that just in case I am not home my Better half can disconnect the grid, hook up the generator and fire it up and run the critical circuits in the house to keep things good until I can get home..
As with anything, if you don't use it, test it, train with it, it is useless..
Just my thoughts, I don't know anything..
TJ
From what I have read, it includes an hour meter, fuel gauge, and some other decent specs.