I recently picked up Control4 and have several systems up and running without complications. I think the reason the Crestron and AMX guys thumb their noses at it is you can't change the user interface or sometimes the system handles things a little different then you think it should.

Control4 design is to be the control system for the masses, the other 90% of people who want a good remote, audio in their house, with lighting and home control. It's not for the elite 10% who want custom designed touch screen interfaces, dozens of rooms of audio, designer lighting, etc. where tens of thousands of dollars are needed just for programming.

My feelings are the secret to working with Control4 is just that, working with Control4. You can't work against it, you shouldn't try and make it do something it's not designed to do. Live inside the box and you and your clients will be happy.