Grant - it's all a matter of lifestyle -
Power awning -
- Quick and easy to use
- Absorbs mild wind and gusts
- Tend to use it more often due to ease of use
- Cannot reasonably be tied down securely to withstand weather
- Will not facilitate screen rooms, other add ons
Standard Awning -
- Complicated to get set up and may require a ladder (at least on our 3400)
- Handles mild winds but requires de-flappers
- Tend to not bother to set it up for just a few hours
- Can be securely tied down with some confidence it will be OK for long term
- Will facilitate all types of screen rooms, add a rooms, other add-ons
We are weekenders or vacationers, and are usually in areas that can have unforgiving winds. These are roof rippin winds that will tear up even slide awnings. With the power awning I know I can just put it away whenever we aren't using it or are leaving and not worry about it. Many times we scrambled to try and get our previous standard awning put away before the wind hit, and often didn't make it and it took 4 people to get it finally done. Not everyone lives in that type of climate and may prefer the advantages of the standard awning.
JMHO - Brad