After much time searching and asking questions I decided on the Homestead for the basement. It will be finished off this winter and I think the Homestead will serve me nicely. I bought it at Green Mountain Stoves in New Hartford Ct. Jerry gave me a very good price I think.He comes in lower on most stoves and he dosen't make you pay extra for the door. And when the insert upstairs craps out I'll just drag the Homestead upstairs and make it work there.
Rusty
Rusty

BTW its good that you gave the dealer a plug, i would like to see more of that if a dealer does well by a customer, kinda like a good tip in a way , or even like telling friends about a particularly good restaurant or somthing. might get him a few extra sales. i ask customers who tell me they had "X" chimney service in for the annual service on their flue/unit, i ask them if they would refer them to their neighbors, if answer is yes i get their info and if i get a call from that area asking if i know someone in a particular area i pull the "X" chimney service" number off my rolodex and tell em , "call this guy i had a customer say they were very good" word of mouth is a powerful advertising tool. we as hearth product owners will only help the folks who come here to find answers by doing so and reward good service with more buisness at the same time.