The things you are bitching about are only because you lack the knowledge for a product that you bought. Why don't you just tune it yourself to get rid of knock like everyone else? There is no such thing as middle of the road automatic tuning. It either none (like the Utec currently) or all out like on a Pectel or Autronic.
p.s. The AEM is a sweet unit. 2 guys here in Detroit have them on their WRXs and it is amazing. It runs MAP based instead of MAF and the fuel control is sick.