Ian,
Here is an excerpt from the book Advanced Skywatching co-authored by David H Levy. It basically describes the type of EP's available.
Would you agree with it's description of a Plossl eyepiece?
Or have I missed the point of your complaint completely?
"Some manufacturers have exclusive rights to certain designs-such as Edmund Scientifics RKE models, Meades Modified Achromats and TeleVues Nagler and Panoptic series. But the most common designs are sold by nearly every dealer. Kellner, RKE and Modified Achromat eyepieces use three lens elements for good image quality at low cost.
A step up in quality and price are the four-element Orthoscopic and Plossl models.....they represent the best buys in todays marketplace.
In the premium price bracket are eyepieces known by generic names such as Erfles, and brand names such as Wide Fields, Ultra Wide Angles, Panoptics and Naglers. These five- to eight-element models.....
Compared to a standard Plossl these models all show a much wider field, providing a wonderful Picture-Window view of the universe."