The Bernolin is an excellent recorder, Jim. I don't really think it fair to compare the Bernolin to the Yamaha resin recorders. They are made by different methods, and the undercutting on the Bernolin makes it superior to any injection-molded recorder I've yet played. I'd rank it about on par overall with mid-range recorders like Yamaha's 800 series recorder line.
The Bernolin's tone is rich and changes with register (beautiful overtones across entire range), but it is not particularly loud. I'd say it's about on par with my Yamaha 800 series and Fehr Stanesbury in terms of playability--very articulate response requiring subtlety from the player (probably more delicate/sensitive than the Yamaha 800 and slightly less sensitive than the Fehr). Overall, a very expressive instrument that "gets out of the way", as it were, once you can reign it in.
The Bernolin is not without faults. It lacks the tonal complexity (and volume, if this is important to you) of my Fehr Stanesbury and Blezinger Denner altos; however, I often gravitate towards playing the Bernolin because it doesn't clog (at all...seriously, I've played it for an hour without any issues) and is much easier to maintain.
If you're considering getting back into recorder, consider the Bernolin. If I were to ever get out of playing recorder, it's the one recorder I own that I would keep. It's low-maintenance (as recorders go) and highly playable, which makes for a great pick up and play instument.
But I wouldn't scoff at an Ecodear instrument, either. Keep in mind that the Antique Sound Workshop probably has some altos in stock by now (or will soon), and that you can buy a "set up" recorder through them at full retail price (this would probably make the Ecodear an excellent deal for starting players).