<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8429457#post8429457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JenDub
IMO, the only difference between the high end units and the filter direct units is stuff like 100% john guest speedfittings instead of jaco fittings.
The speedfittings are nice if you are planning on rewiring your ro unit but for the 99% of people who will never bother to do anything except change the filters they are completely unneccesary.
Another difference is the clear cannister housing which is pointless for any filter except the prefilter (the carbon filters look the same new or overused while the prefilter will get dingy looking. This is a great indicator of when it's time to change all three).
For $130 you can get the full rig with water storage tank for drinking water (absolutely neccesary if you don't want to wait 30minutes for a glass of water) and everything else you need. Put the additional money you would have spent into replacement filters =)