John-
Yeah, we looked at Panasonic, they looked like great units but even more expensive than this NuTone!
Perhaps OT, perhaps not: even if we would have gone with a Panasonic, or something made out of solid gold, if the installer is an incompetent hack then most likely the whole job is going to be a mess. As an experienced pro you know that very well.
I was under a lot of stress, things were moving fast, I went with the rec of someone who as it turns out didn't know what he was talking about, and we've wound up with an entire $70K master bedrooom/bathroom addition that is a piece of crap. This guy was flat-out The World's Worst Contractor! I don't like to blame others for my own stupidity, so in the end, it's my fault.
As you suggest, I will call the tech line on Monday and let you know.
-Gary