I don't think I could manage running four scopes at once if not for Asiair plus ( when they are each " issue" free
When I think of the "good old days"...drift align for PA...what a pain, and sure I have Polemaster ( acquired pre Asiair) but I like having all under one banner..and everything is red..what's not to like?. I don't see a problem.... my big regret is that I bought my Askar only weeks before ZWO came out with their telescopes and as I understand it I could have had my Askar via ZWO and enjoyed red on my scope rather than green ...
I expect there are two reasons why ZWO wants to lock you in...one would come from the boys in marketing perhaps but I expect a more practical consideration would be to have things work...knowing you make all the bits must help...I don't know and don't care and am just happy that ZWO has made the hobby way better for anyone who wants to use their products.
Alex