I am finding this model in the 7-8 hundred range. We have alot of buried UF cable shallow and breakes are common that would be its primary use.
I bought my 61-956 on Ebay for $400, you can get a good deal just don't buy from an Ebay store, buy it from someone who's tool it was.
the 954, 956, 958, are all the same technologies, just different bells and whistles.
I think you would find it satisfactory. The key to all the tracers is setting up the best grounding for your situation, it really makes a big difference.
I was amazed that I found the wire under the parking lot, we also had the similar Amprobe tracer that it found it also, along with my old greenlee 2011 tracer.
I think they all will work with underground pretty good. The Ideal seems easiest to use. I'd sell you my Greenlee 2011, for $100 but you need to know, everybody hates the auto-ranging feature
RW