Okay. So, I was able to check out both versions of the SCG today! I'm going to rescind part of my earlier comments. This this is much more substantial than it looks. Very well engineered and put together. I actually don't have any gripes with the standalone unit. It's gorgeous. It's much bigger in person. Not a flimsy piece in it. Even the heat deflector is a heavy (several pounds) piece of insulalated stainless steel. In Canada this is the $1999 option. Would I pay that? Sadly, no. I really can't comment on the USD pricing as the exhange rate these days is really wonky.
I'm more interested in the grill center model but, unfortunately, this is the model I have issues with. If you're going to charge a $500 premium for a table it had better be a great frickin table! The table version makes the most sense to me as I see this as replacing several units and being the centerpiece to most grilling activities and therefor requires the most space for prep, etc. So the gripes. 1) the wire mesh basket slides in on metal rails. It's impossible to slide unpolished stainless steel rods against unpolished stainless steel rails. It's binds. Every time. It a pain in the ass. Should have a simple ball bearing mechanism. Problem solved and much more premium feel. 2) There is a wire rack at the bottom of the unit to store the heat deflector. It's about 4" off the ground. You literally have to get on all fours to retrieve or stow the deflector. Plus, unless the deflector is perfectly clean it's going to be a tasty treat for many a wildlife. 3) The charcoal bucket was not thought out at all. Unlike the performer, it is not hinged in any way. It just sits on the bottom shelf and is intended to be slid in and out. Even without 20lbs of charcoal in it the 3 day old display model was already all scratched up on the black bottom shelf. With weight in the bucket I can see that being worn through to bare metal within a year. Solution? Stainless steel bottom shelf or a sort of bearing sliding shelf. 4) the tool hook were clearly an afterthought. For this kind of money they need to be rethought from a more premium point of view.
Finally, back to pricing. Before actually seeing and touching it I was fairy critical and thought it was overpriced by at least $1000. Now that I see what they've really accomplished with this thing I can how the value is higher. In my opinion, it's about $500 too high. I could see spending $1499 and $1999 respectively and it being worth that kinda money. A $2500 ask is just too much unless they fixed all the issues I mentioned above. At least for me.
Keep an open mind until you see one. I think it's worth more than I originally thought but less than Weber currently asks.
Cheers!