PB – If I had a buck for every time I’ve stuffed up while aviating…..
The only points I’d make in response to your eminently sensible post are that:
1. leaning to LOP is just as simple or complicated as leaning to anywhere else (twist the knob and watch a gauge);
2. you need to factor fuel costs and savings into the cost/benefit analysis of fitting the gizmos that will:
a. ensure each cylinder reaches peak EGT at approximately the same fuel flow;
b. show you that it’s happening; and
c. help you spot problems before they get dangerous and save on time diagnosing faults; and
3. if your engine can indeed take a beating and you don't want to fit the gizmos, you might as well give it the demonstrably cheaper and least damaging beating: somewhere approximating LOP