Agree with a lot of that. If I did not already have a 3-vessel system I would go a different direction if I was starting over.
I'm really attracted to a turn-key setup like the Grainfather. I have a three-tier setup, and I really enjoy the process of brewing on it. My system isn't perfect and can be improved upon, but I know it well and have fun with it when I have plenty of time to go about it. It's a ritual.
It would be nice to have something else for when I just want to crank out a batch with little drama, though. Plus, I can do it inside in the A/C.