I've always had an automatic one for my cat. We had the old version of the Littermaid and it was awesome, until it finally broke after 5 years. my ex bf got the newer version of the littermaid and it sucks. So i wouldn't recommend getting that one. For my cat we now have the litter robot which is amazing, but pricey.
http://www.litter-robot.com/
i wouldn't have it any other way.