Not sure of pricing in the US, but Power2Max (V2 where they fixed the slope drift) is only a couple hundred more than the Stages here. The Vectors are already being discounted and is drifting closer to the $1000 mark are a couple options. Powertaps also work but like all the options has limitations.

I was including used units also... Why used not comparable? My SRM's were all bought second hand and have worked flawlessly... My latest SRM is an FSA wireless model that I bought from ebay cost US$800. Personally I'd rather used than V1 of an electronic product; every Powermeter player has had teething problems in the first round.

Interested to see a link about SRM ending their service period on the wired models as I hadn't heard that. You could still buy new the wired Track cranks with PCV so would expect them to support this? Not too fussed if they do though as battery replacements are easy enough and 99% time that is all they require when I've sent mine off for servicing.