So, I'll admit that when I bought my hydra, I was on a friday night after a long week after a "few" brews. I'm a cheap-ass brewer, so spending that kind of bank on a chiller was WAY outside my norm. That said, I am totally satisfied, even thrilled, with the performance. In both my 3-vessel and my BIAB, both with whirlpool ports, I get from boil to 70 in 10 minutes or less - faster this time of year. The getting below 70 in the summer takes a lot longer, but with a harbor freight sump pump in a bucket of ice water, I can get to lagering (45F - 47F) temp in just a few minutes more once I'm to 70F.
If I had tried one before buying it, I would still have bought it sober.