I just played this game but it was for my 99-seat studio
theatre so take my recommendation with a grain of salt.
I looked at the Unique 2.1, Hazebase
Base Hazer and the Chauvet Amhaze Whisper. The Whisper looked like someone was smoking in the wings. The hazebase was too loud (for a studio, I was looking for quiet above all) and the most expensive, the
haze was fine. The Unique 2.1 is very quiet, efficient, and has nice looking
haze. I generally run it at about 4% for the entire show for a light atmosphere and about 12% for a heavier atmosphere. The one occasion where I had fan speed and
haze patched backwards I ran
haze at 30% for about 20 minutes, it took over an hour for the
haze to dissipate. I feel confident I could move this down to our main
stage (650 seat, 3 story, traditional
proscenium opera house) should the Radiance down there ever crap out.
That being said, have you looked at a Radiance? They're in the same price range you seem to be in, easy to use, cheap enough fluid, everything inside is SO easily replaceable and prolightingsupply.com has every part. Thats our workhorse
hazer on my main
stage and while it was paired with a DF-50 for a
bit, our DF-50 has crapped out and the Radiance has been doing a great job on its own at everything from a fine
haze to a pea-soup "where's
stage left?"
haze.
The MDG is a fantastic
hazer and if you have the money, forget the others and buy that. If you dont, I'd say consider the Radiance (look at the
road case w/ fan model too), and then the Unique 2.1.