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How much power do you need? The 2kW units are a lot more common, but if you're concerned about price/weight/size, there's smaller units (700-1000 watts) that are also a little cheaper.
I have an older Generac ix2000... overall I like it, and I got a screaming deal on two of them.
Did tear them both down and rebuild them, clean them up, check everything over. I have had my good one fail on me once, wouldn't run right (sputtered, wouldn't idle, throttle hunting). Got it home, dried everything out, and it's never done that again... think it got some water in a connector (it was running in the bed of a pickup, wet/gloopy snow-rain falling). Other one I think needs a stator coil (Inverter and most of the electronics seem to be fine, just haven't had the motivation to swap parts back and forth to find the bad one).
If you have some skills/knowledge/tools, can troubleshoot electronics and small engines, then the chinese/off-brands are a great value.
If you want something you just throw in the truck and pull the starter rope a time or two, run a tank of gas or two through it, then throw it back in the corner of the garage when you get home... might be worth shelling out the $$ for a Honda/Yamaha. They're expensive because they're built a lot better and don't need as much maintenance.
I would go with a newer model... better technology all around (electrical and mechanical), engine's probably going to be in better shape, more fuel efficient, quieter, etc etc etc. It looks like Generac's got an upgrade out (IQ2000), might be able to find a good deal on an IX2000. (or IX1600).
