Yeah, but how many will purchase an Apex just to have this. This will also help sway undecided controller buyers into going with an Apex over the competition. They might have to sell a metric ton of "universal units" to make up for the loss of Apex sales and the cost of the R&D to get it to work with other controllers. I'm sure someone there will be analyzing these very questions sooner than later.
You have a legitimate argument. However, in my case, I use a different controller. My guess is that it would be significantly cheaper for me to pay for the Hanna reagents than it would be to replace my controller and all its components. There are also people who cannot afford the Apex, just to get alk monitoring. IMO, it is not worth the cost if it is purchased just for alk monitoring.
I understand business a bit and if Neptune wants to lock an alk monitoring unit to Apex, then they are neglecting too large a market. If they do not fill this market, someone else will. I encourage them to look beyond the Apex. I have no problem paying for a stand alone alk monitoring application.
This may be a game changer but it is still significantly cheaper for me to buy Hanna reagents than replace my current controller. I suspect the same can be said for those who do not want a controller.