FWIW, I own a Tramex Moisture Encounter and the dual mode Surveymaster, and often use use both during the same inspection.

I've not had problems with the pin mode on the Survermaster, and find the supplied pin extension cable *very* handy for getting into tight spots like beam pockets and when I have to take readings at arms length (for example, out on rafter tails) and need to probe around while observing the readings. In the sub-surface mode it's the better choice in situations where the Tramex readings may be affected by surface moisture (for example a ceramic tile floor around a toilet).

Where the Tramex really shines is for rapidly scanning large areas of gypsum board or surface-dry ceramic tile for sub-surface moisture, I find the analog scale far superior to a digital readout when attempting to establishing moisture *gradients* to help trace a problem back to its source.