March pumps; location of the inlet matter?

About to bite the bullet and finally get a March pump.

Quick question, though. Notice that on the pump from Brewmaster's Warehouse, the inlet is located perpendicular to the pump head and the outlet.



Notice on the one from Northern Brewer, the inlet is parallel to the outlet.



Does it matter? Does it impact performance at all, or is it just a matter of convenience, having it one way or the other on some setups?

Is this why the one from Brewmaster's Warehouse is a couple dollars cheaper?

Not really... how you PRIME it matters most IMHO. Mine primes in 5-10 seconds, once per session.

The center outlet has a larger flow rate and is easier to prime when it is supplied by 3/4" tubing. The plastic ones (as shown) have a 3/4" MPT and a 3/8" FPT inlet and a 1/2" MPT outlet.

When fed with 1/2" tubing, they are probably very similar.

I have two of the 809-PL-HS-C, the same ones BMW sells.