I just purchased two 997s. My old one-the only binder I ever really wore-was over a year and a half old. It still bound ok, but not as well. I've tried a variety of them, including the tri top. If your issue was with the material (I've heard people say it's itchy), be warned that the 997 is made of the same kind. Personally, I find the 997 more comfortable because I don't have to worry about uniboob as much or the binder rolling up to beneath the girls. I usually tuck it into my pants and don't have a problem with it.
I haven't used the cotton concealer t shirt, but if it's like the tank, the binder is the same length as the tri top, if not shorter, and again, made of the same material.
Personally, I'd go with the ultimate (the new name for the 997), because I've had really good luck with it. For reverence, I'm pretty round and have DDs. I think I've got a couple pictures in the do I pass thread of if you're looking for how well it binds.