Affordable zwift compatible trainer

I'll let Ray respond for me:

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/10/annual-trainer-recommendations.html

Your $400 price point is a tough one for automated controls and emulating hills and such.  To accomplish that you're looking more in the $500-600 range.

Does anyone here have the Tacx Satori Smart Trainer?

I'm considering it and would be interested in anyone's thoughts who has it (I've read the DC Rainmaker write-up). 

I just read that review and it sounds like "Smart" in the name is misleading.  it doesn't allow an app like Zwift to control resistance on it.  So I don't see much advantage over a dumb trainer with virtual power.

I currently have NO power measurement, so I was thinking this would be a step in the right direction - and on a budget. I read some reviews that said it's not a big deal to manually adjust the resistance, maybe it is to others. I'm not interested in spending more than around $400 and this one looked like the best in that price range that would give me data.

Lisa, the route I went was to keep using Trainer Road with virtual power (using a KK Road Machine and the Garmin speed sensor - about $300 all-in), until I bought a Powertap wheel (used on eBay for $210 shipped).  So now I have real power inside and out.  I still don't get the "road feel" of dynamic/variable resistance from the apps but you can mimic that with shifting (to a point).

I guess it's all what you're willing to spend and what your priorities are.

I ended up finding a deal on the Vortex so pulled the trigger on that one. Can't wait!

But it only goes up to 950W - you be careful, now.

I'm really curious to see what the Thanksgiving sales for smart trainers will be.  Might get pulled into a wheel-on one.  At the same time, It might be better to keep using my KK Road Machine and get a power meter.  That would pay off both inside and out.