The nice thing if you are buying a second for the hatching only is that you don't have the added expense of the turner. I would still look at getting one that has a fan in it though. That being said, I have started a small hatcher to take to the fair when I do a week long hatch there each year. I am using the guts of the old Havobator that had an egg blow in it once that I never got the smell quite out of it. I put it outside to air out and something chewed the corner of the foam off, so I am using the electronics and heating element to make my new one. I want to build my own large hatcher too to someday replace the Sportsman. It is great at hold temp, getting up to temp, but I hate so many other things about the design, namely want a pain in the *** to clean the stupid thing. I have that Leahy 624 that is wonderful, but it is BIG and I can't get it in my basement. I only incubate in that one anyway. DON'T buy a Brower Top Hatch if you want an easy to maintain, high hatch rate, they can be a nightmare!
I was so looking forward to seeing another. I will just sit and look at the one we have. 
I have an easier method to tell if an egg is developing than trying to see the veins by shining in he air sac end.
Wow! 14 eaten by one chicken? I think I would look for a 4-legged critter getting into those eggs! Even when I have had egg eaters, they wouldn't eat that many with the whole pen of 8-10 joining in.
