ok, so i talked with Giamberto Scaccia of techno research today and got "the scoop".
yes, the single ecu version aka the consumer version is almost as good as the "dealer" or multi version. the two differences are the aforementioned data logging and the ability to handle multiple ecus.
the $199 price for single ecu and $349 price for multi ecu versions are MSRP. also, technoresearch is offering new in box palm m100s for $80 each. there isn't much margain, so there isn't much room for discounting. if you want "holiday special pricing" then buy some expensive cyclecat part with it and i can arrange for some "hook up".
the dealer version on a palm seems to me to be the way to go. you can hook it up and go for a ride with the data logging and it can help solve intermittent problem. plus, you and some buddies can go in on one together and with just two different types of ECUs, it's a value.
i am now offering these for sale and will call back Giamberto soon to figure out exactly how i'm going to be buying these and in the exact way to configure for the different ecus.
in case it isn't obvious, the PalmOS version will work on any PalmOS device and we're offering the m100 simply as a nice entry level buy in. the m100 has been discontinued by palm, but plenty are still floating around. some even for less than the $80 here...

chris