I have been using Foodsaver vacuum sealers for over 30 years. I purchased my original bare bones vacuum sealer when they were first introduced and believe it or not it still works and I use it occasionally when I am doing large quantities of vacuum sealing while making sausage or breaking down 50lb. cases of chicken breasts, bacon or processing a deer. I purchased the FM5200 which makes bags on one element while being able to vacuum using the upper chamber. This nearly eliminates over heating of the sealing element used for vacuuming and sealing.