Just looking through the additional posts since I was here last. Thought I would throw in a comment. If you are reading through this trying to make a decision on a SI, I highly recommend it. I have owned my Smoke-it #2 almost 3 years now. I would not consider even looking at anything else if you can afford it.
Mine has the original temp control, not much different than the one in your oven. On, up a few degrees, off down a few degrees. So what. I have used mine at 10° out of the wind, no problem. After a little practice, everything I smoke turns out great. It is a little expensive, but it is a very high quality built double wall insulated SS box. Not much to go wrong. 10 years or more.should not be a problem other than it may need a replacement heater element or thermostat someday. I feel I definitely got my moneys worth. I have saved that much by not buying charcoal and wood chunks already. It is a miser on wood chips.
It makes smoking everything stupid easy. Load it up, wait for the meat temp buzzer to go off when it is done, take it out. Especially for long smokes of pork butt or brisket you can get a good nights sleep instead of getting up every couple of hours checking what is going on in your smoker.
The only thing we do not care for as much in it is chicken. We like a little more char with higher heat, so usually do that on charcoal with wood chunks, but that is a relatively quick cooking item.
Just my opinion by another satisfied customer.