i have an 8229. idk what the going rate for them is, but i got mine (centech rebranded from harbor freight) for around $35. hf has them for 44 and they usually always have some kind of % off coupon out.
imo, its not a bad meter. this is my only exposure to mastech meters at all, and again, its not bad, imo. certainly not the best, but you cant expect a lot for $35. i have had a few uni-t's, and as ive said before, i have had very bad luck with them. it was probably just me, most ppl seem to like them, but id never touch another one. (unlike your op, i would say uni-t is a bit more of a respected band, while mastech are usually put down as bottom of the barrel). if the mastech 8229 was my only meter, i wouldnt feel under-gunned. amof, for a performance to price ratio, id say this may well be the 2nd best meter i have. the best would be a $20 small craftsman one that is no longer made (they still have a similar one, manual ranging)