mixer advice

[chrismisk]

I need a small, portable powered mixer for an acoustic band. It would be used mostly for vocals and maybe a couple acoustic instruments. Does anyone know if the Soundcraft Gigrac mixers are worth the 500 bucks or should I just shell out the extra 300 and get a Mackie or Yamaha....or something else I don't know about?

[Krynos]

What type of speakers are you using? Their ratings? Also, are you planning on useing this for monitors as well?