FPX/Avalon Large Flush Wood Hybrid, any input

Did any of you have the catalytic combustor probe installed on this unit? Wondering what impact the probe has on appearance. Would this work at providing stove top temp? Really like the look of the insert and am considering pulling the trigger sooner rather than later but many of the posts on here have me leery of a catalytic flush insert.

Manual for reference...page 32 discusses the probe.

http://www.fireplacex.com/TravisDocs/100-01273_000.pdf

I did not get the probe. Saw it in the manual though, and may add it later. My only concern is it really does not show what the indicator/display looks like or where it is mounted. Sure would be nice to see internal stove temp. I have not had any issues of over firing the stove but I do think sometimes I dial the air back too soon.

Yeah...I'm pretty sure I don't push my current insert enough and that's likely going to be the case with another one. Given what I've learned here, I'm not sure how it's possible really. Taking my wife to look at this one in person in the morning. Have two shops dueling on discounting right now so the price has improved. One has said it's as low as they will go which is about 400 bucks more than the other. Need to get into the finer details of install, but didn't get much/any feedback from another thread I started. Will also be looking at the Osburn Matrix tomorrow as well.

Pulled the trigger on this one today. Was planning on a new one this summer/fall, but with discounting, the price hit the sweet spot. Getting the liner insulated and and an insulated block off plate as part of the deal. Install next week sometime.

Good deal, dont forget pictures when its installed, I really like this unit but its just a bit too big to fit in my fireplace. You have plenty of dry wood? I know theres a lot of locust out your way.

Will do. I don't have enough wood for this year. I was hoping that a purchased cord from last year was going to be good to go this year, but it's not. I have about a 3/4 of a face cord of seasoned wood left and a a few cords of white ash that varies in MC from high teens to low/mid 20s (Cut in March, S/S in August). I've been mixing it in, but getting some big coals from it. It's not gunking up the flue though Actually think I might swap some of the wood on the wood from the driveway stack with the porch stack. Moved the wood to the porch too soon and it doesn't seem as dry as stuff that's been stacked in the open for a few more months this fall.. I'll probably split those smaller and make it work. Not burning as primary heat and will be off of oil completely on Jan 17th, so I'm not too concerned other than the fact that I love having fires going.

People talk about locust being abundant around here. I don't seem to be that fortunate. My land is predominately ash (many dead), maple (Norway, Sugar, Red, Silver), red oak, and many white pines. Most of the hardwoods are concentrated around my home or street, making many difficult to take down without tree services. I've also got a few cords of white willow that came down during Sandy. Probably go ahead and split whatever I can't convince people to come take away.

Hey...anyone in MA want to trade some seasoned wood for a wood boiler?