Best Value Vacs - Top or Side mount on chamber?

I'm going to order an aluminum 2 or 3 qt vacuum chamber from Best Value Vacs... anyone have an idea of the pro/con for getting the gauges and valves side mounted versus on the plastic top? The only thing that comes to mind, is the top mount could eventually crack the plastic, but the side mount could be cumbersome and get in the way when working inside the chamber?? And I think i'm going to get the digital heating pad. Seems better at temp control than an induction burner. I've been using a plastic desiccator and heat gun, but I need to spend more heated purge time for a cleaner product. Thanks!

If i got the choice id choose side so that when you open valve no air gets blown straight onto your extract possibly leaving dust particles and etc on it. Open valves SLOWLY.
Dont put heat on your extracts too soon, unless youre making sap, when vaccum purging or it will wax up on you and butane shall be trapped in there forever.

great point.. thanks!