[Solved] Seeking Recommendations for a Drum Machine

After 20 years since the last one I had, I've decided to get another standalone drum machine for jam sessions and occasional live performance. In addition to standard kit instruments I'd also like a selection of percussion instruments, e.g. congas, shakers & tambourine.
 
Since it's mostly for improvisation accompaniment, I want to be able to quickly pull up a patch and go, and to switch patterns and throw in fills using footswitches. That means an easy-to-read display, minimal menu navigation and a dedicated knob for setting the tempo. What I don't want is to pre-program song arrangements. It probably won't ever be used for recording, just live jams.
 
Here are the ones I've looked at so far...
 
Boss DR-3
$189 but does not include footswitch or power supply so not as cheap as it first appears. Small, dimly-lit LCD display and requires navigating tiny menus to do anything. 100 factory presets and 100 user presets. Potentially clever intro->pattern->fill->pattern->end sequences.
 
Alesis SR-18
$259 but includes power supply (and maybe a footswitch but the Sweetwater description was not clear on that).
175 factory presets and 100 user presets. Nice big dial for setting tempo. Has EQ and compression but they're just presets, not tweakable. Volume control is on the back (WTF?).
 
Zoom RT-223
$149 but power supply and footswitch are extra. Has the most variety in drum sounds (70 kits) and the largest number of factory presets (440). Volume control is on the back.
 
 
All three let you control them via footswitch, but I don't know how well. Two of them offer a hokey-sounding bass synth that still might be useful for impromptu jams. 
 
I'm hoping somebody who's used one or more of these can offer advice on aspects I can't research online, namely how effective they'd be for my intended purpose. I need to make this purchase in the next 2-3 days, so any insight will be greatly appreciated.

I still have my Zoom Rhythmtrak 234 as well. When Zoom first hit the scene they came on very strong in performance. I am not sure if they maintained that perception over the years, but the brand carried a lot of weight back in the day. I am sort of confused how they "number" their products though, since I bought the 234 20+ years ago, and you have the 223 linked.

The Zoom 123 is apparently the predecessor to the 223, which kinda makes sense. Where the 224 fits in I haven't a clue. I've read some online comments where users preferred the 123 to the 223, just as many prefer the older Alesis SR-16 to the newer SR-18 (both are still available). It's reassuring to hear that people have 20-year-old units that are still working.
 
My initial preference was for the Zoom, as it's the cheapest, but I may not be able to cope with the small orange display. It looks like the same display used on my XK-1, and that one's so hard to read that I never dare making adjustments while I'm playing. Otherwise, I'd take you up on that offer, batsbrew. Maybe I could tape a magnifier over it...
 
I took another look at BeatBuddy ($328 w/footswitch at Sweetwater). It had looked interesting because it's clearly designed for live accompaniment, but I'd crossed it off the list because there's no congas, shakers or tambourine. It does have a brush kit, though, which is cool. It's also pretty cool how you can create MIDI patterns on your computer and transfer them to BeatBuddy.
 
(Sigh) I remember a time when I didn't stress over a $200 purchase...

You can find SR16's cheap. I got a "new/unused" one for $65 with PS, manuals and box. If there'd been an SR18, I would have tried that, since I've had a series of "16's". My wife and I use it, and I practice with it,  and might try to work it into my track creation. I'm not sure about that, though.....
Another possibility, is the DigiTech Trio which does bass and drums for $179 street.
http://digitech.com/en-US/products/trio
 
Michael

Kamikaze
I saw an SR16 for sale at a music store I was showing a roducer friend of mine in Ho Chi Minh, and we couldn't believe that it's still in production. Credit to it that it's still going after 2 decades with how much so much has changed along the way.

A good design will last. I've got the Boss DR 880, in term of sound, it's way better than the SR18, but in term of live usability (fill, etc) it's worst than the older DR series.
 

My local shop carries DigiTech but that one hasn't shown up yet, so I will be checking it out just for fun and to satisfy my curiosity. I have yet to see a Beat Buddy, but have watched YouTubes on both. I think they could be fun for writing.
The only Boss drum machine I ever had was a Dr Rhythm in the late '70s? or early '80s. I always thought of the DR series as drum box vs the sample player types. I suppose I'm wrong on that count.
Michael

Thanks for that information, fireberd. Lack of 3/4 or 6/8 is kind of a deal-killer for me. Too bad, as I can find SR-16s on eBay or Craigslist for $40-60. 
 
I'm leaning toward the SR-18 at the moment. They say it has more percussion sounds, but I've yet to find a listing. Maybe you can tell me: does it have shakers, congas, tambourine and such? I'm looking more for ambient percussion than conventional rock/country beats.

I haven't used much other than the country programs. 
They have a list that can be downloaded of what the factory programs are.
http://www.alesis.com/sr18
 
 

I found a YouTube video where some dedicated soul patiently stepped through every single factory preset on the SR18. As expected, 95% of them are useless to me, but it gave me enough of a preview of the sound set to know it would do the trick - although I'll have to spend some time programming it first.
 
The local music store didn't have one to try, so purely on the strength of you guys' helpful information I went ahead and ordered it via eBay. $175 with shipping, plus another $55 for a dual footswitch from Sweetwater. I just happened to have exactly $175 in my pocket in gig money, so I'm only $55 in the hole.
 
Now to work up to something I haven't done in 20 years: a solo gig. It's just background ambient music for a fundraiser and only for a couple of hours. Pay is crap but every little bit helps - plus they'll have food. I'll be lining my pockets with Ziploc bags in preparation.

It's interesting this topic as I have found that over time less and less equipment, hardware, is made that would serve the solo performer. The first generations of drum machines had footswitches, only Alesis seemed to continue with that. Roland totally screwed up. My old 505 might have been the last of that generation with footswitched  start /stop. The Boss series required hands on. The sounds got better but they stopped marketing to solo performers in the early 90's.  Digitech stuff is built like a toy and would probably break in live use. 
 
The other option is using a USB footswitch and macro your laptop. 
I use a Xkeys footswitch for playback control. But you can start and stop Sonar with your foot. Trouble with Sonar is you'd need a big controller knob for tempo. 
I still use my 505 for quick beats. 1985 and still works 100%. 
 

Although it's common practice nowadays, I've never been able to bring myself to use a laptop on stage. Reliability doubts, mostly. Although the thought of having Kontakt available makes it very tempting.

I've been gigging with a laptop since 2004 and never have had issues because I set them up.
 
The only time something went wrong was at a gig where I used an M Audio fast track pro that was a POS. I simply reverted to the onboard audio and only was off line for about 2 minutes in the end.  I always have back up plans. All my songs are on a Sony Mini disk walkman too. 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/johns_rig.htm   

"It all fits in a small 14"x 18" road case." Oh my, I have been steadily downsizing since the the B3 days, but I can't imagine being able to carry everything in one Anvil case. Must be nice!
 
I carry two keyboards and two amplifiers plus a gym-bag's worth of cables, pedals and effects. Two keyboard stands, mike stand and folding piano bench. And that's my maximally-trimmed-down setup.
 
I've been thinking about putting my rack-mount Kurzweil synth into a portable case and adding that to my live rig. It normally sits here in the rack, going unused for months at a time. I'm just not sure I want to add yet another thing to haul around.

After gigging solid for 47 years, I am on hiatus! LOL
   I carry guitars from my study into the control room or our rehearsal room. Oh yeah, I have to carry picks, a capo and strap! LOL
Sorry guys but it's fun to NOT "stuff shuffling".
Michael

Ha, I remember in the 60's driving my Volkswagen van filled with drums, a Hammond B3, Leslie, and amps through the desert on my way to some military base gig. I did that with my group for years.
Now I haul drums and a guitar with a small PA in my CRV. Thank goodness for that!