I'll chime in here about the MTII since I've been through the ringer with different mishaps with it.
First thing is it works a lot better when recording in 16/44. It is quirky as hell in 24 bit mode. I now just use it to record DAT's and it has no problems since I record in 16/44. I only used the SPDIF connection so I can't speak to the 1/8 or 1/4 TRS type inputs
Totally agree it's a pain in the ass with having no backlight if you want to lock it, but I had a problem once when I locked it and it just shut off about 10 min into a show at 24/48, no rhyme or reason. I figured it didn't like to be locked and with the CF card I used at the time (Kingston) it could have been the combo of the brand of CF card and locking the unit.
If recording in 24/48, at any given time it will not switch to a new file after 1.86gb's which is the max for one file in 24/48. It will just stop as if you hit the record button to save the last file. I've been through all kinds of CF cards, had tons of issues with Kingston so avoid that brand, and the most successful I got was with RiData brand high speed (133x speed). The MTII needs a high speed CF card or it gets confused when switching to a new file and just saves the last file then stops. Since it was like Russian Roulette I just finally gave up using it in the field and got a Marantz 661 which is quite larger than your typical bit bucket and more costly ($550) but it was well worth it.
The average going price for an MTII is $150, thought I saw Amazon selling them new for that price. Like I said you'll be fine with recording in 16 bit. Good luck with the MTII
Tom