I saw (and handled, and talked to the owner) the AA cages at Tinley (reptile show here in the Midwest) last time around. I was looking specifically at the smaller sizes (~24" long) and thought they were a decent value for the price. I also emailed the owner with a question and got a prompt and reasonable response. The enclosures are more sturdy than their weight suggests. On the larger sizes, though, I think a PVC enclosure a better option.
I have only limited experience with acrylic on animal enclosures (my old DIY crestie viv had some acrylic panels, as did my long ago DIY iguana enclosure), but I wouldn't personally use an enclosure without glass sliders if one was available -- acrylic bows and cracks and scratches. Having to rule out the 24" deep enclosure is a pretty big bummer; an AP T5 would be my choice for the length/height you're looking for.
I agree that using a heat lamp on these is not the right idea, and an RHP (with a quality thermostat, of course) is. I have a bunch of AP cages, and recently put some silicone bumpers on the end of a couple doors to hold them open 1/4" for additional ventilation. The effect on humidity of that -- 4 square inches of vent space, the same area as 1/4 space around a 6" heat lamp cutout for a 5.5" dome -- was substantial, and a heat lamp would create a chimney effect that would increase the air loss. RHPs are also much safer and much less expensive to run.
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