I think the point of the spinner the OP is talking about is that you can download your own outdoor rides from your Garmin and simulate those. I know that might be better than just doing the trainer, which I hate, in the winter. If someone doesn't want to go to a gym, I don't think 1200.00 is that much to spend on what this machine does. Of course, some are fine with the videos.
I used my trainer less and less every year and depend on x country skiing to keep me in shape. I think I would like another option, though.