I found it could not control our VC equipment at all using the default emitter. I did not get a stick on to test with. The Powermid also only has one port while the Prontos base has more. Also like you said, you can change the ID on the Prontos base, something you cannot do on the powermids

for a public installation I think the Pronto base is better. Also since it has several IR ports he could install the base between the two monitors and then stick the emitters on to each monitor. To do the same with a powermid he would need to get an IR distribution block and then the cost savings shrink