I have a simpler question.... For the price that these things already are, is it out of the realm of possibility that they be made of solid titanium instead of steel?
I use Titan titanium clamps for any barb connections that are fully submerged (or even around the saltwater). After 3 years, the clamp on my return pump looks the same as the day I got it, even the screw. The whole thing is made of titanium meant for boat usage.
So why does Ecotech not use titanium instead of steel? Being we're already paying out the butt for these things, I think even a customer would pay the extra $10 for material cost if they wanted to pass it along to the end user. But knowing Ecotech, they would just coat it in titanium.
Here's a product suggestion for any engineers... to make Ecotech-like pumps... Make the same pump, but with titanium shafts, and use Bluetooth over Wifi to get around the patent.