Sikkens Translucent vs Semi-Transparent

I couldn't find this info anywhere on the web, so I'm laying it out for you here, for posterity's sake: you can see more underlying wood through Sikkens Translucent than through Sikkens Semi-transparent.  To put it another way, Semi-Transparent Sikkens blocks more light, so you can't see the wood grain as easily through it.  Home Depot had finished pieces of wood in the 3 finishes Sikkens offers there (Translucent, Semi-transparent, Solid).

American Craftsman Windows: you wouldn't believe how junky they are

But I'm gonna try to convince you of it anyway.  Consider the hopper window:

• plastic handle, and only 1 of them
• handle doesn't get incrementally tighter as you crank it into it's well
• no overlapping of the sash & the frame, so wind just pours through these babys
• they can't hit their measurement numbers
• what's worse they only build to the nearest 1/4"

Go with any other manufacturer, and I guarantee you that you'll get a better product.  I installed 5 hoppers in my basement, and really regret not trying any other hopper vendor.  It seriously could only get better.