I remember the article well, and think about it every time I'm on a job site and I find the force relays replaces with standard ice cube relays , seems every Smartrise we take on has had the safety or door rep=;ays replaced. Doesn't help Smartrise uses those awfull little white relays for so many years.
Do keep in mind, I look at everything through a service man's and long term business perspective. I form my opinions based off what i put in and what i take care of on my route and see issues with on my route. I wasn't doing this back in the 90s, so I don't have any idea about mce having issues back then, but taking care of their equipment now I love their equipment.
I cant argue smartrise is faster to put in. But is that one or two days labor worth it when you look back after 5 years and take into account warranty issues that consumed labor and callbacks? I would rather take a day or two longer and have a mce or va controls to take care of for the long term. We've been having smartrises being installed still having oddball problems. Boards going bad etc.
I'm used to installing a VA controls and usually not have a single callback in its first few years of life.