Doing research I concluded 7 wins for 129 vs 9 for 349. 7 is amazing. Old 7 (no flex) wins 9
I got mine from Costco 2 years ago, for $150, maybe a drop more, but think it was that price. Nowhere close to $349. Not even half.
I never used the 7, but from what I heard, 9 is better.