The funny thing, as I am reading I was thinking the Inkbird for you then had to laugh when i read the last question. I will suggest thinking where do you plan to go with this setup? If you plan to add to it in the next couple years, maybe building your own setup is preferred then you can reuse parts. Now if you are happy with ending this build here, maybe the Inkbird is the right answer. Sorry to propose a question to a question, but that may help you in a decision. Both options are ok, I went with path of building my own "cheap" controller without pump control, then built upon that over time. (Over almost 1.5 years)
That is where I am torn. I do see in the next two years of adding 240 to my brew station in the garage as well as in my basement. At some point I will move to indoor brewing and electric as it is just brutal brewing in Minneapolis winters. My current process is mashing in my kitchen on a Friday night and doing the boil on Saturday morning. This gets me inside for half of the process. The concern I have about building a controller now is how will electric brewing technology change by the time I actually move to full electric. On the same note I do not want to throw $100 at an ipg-16 when that's half way there to a BIAB style controller box, that will also get me half way to a 240 3v set up as well. I think in the long run it will probably be best to start building my controller box now knowing that the current EZboil has more features than I will probably use.
I like having the ability to get my strike water heating up and holding at temp without having to babysit it. It means I'm able to work on other stuff, or get distracted, without overshooting and having to stand around waiting for it to cool.
Since you're set up to do HERMS you'll get even more benefit not having to babysit during the mash. Even if you don't use the fancier step control version it will be nice to set it once after you dough in and not have to deal with it again until mash-out.
As to the value question on $200, that's a tough one. I am cheap, but that means I've bought parts of my system two or three times. The idea of buy once is slowly starting to get through my head and I don't regret at all upgrading to the ezboil now that I've tried it.
The current controller I have is a bayrite which is basically an ipg-16 without ssr. So I am able to set my mash strike water and walk away, same as when I am mashing. I bought the bayrite without reading up enough and skimped out on $50 and going with the ipg-16 instead, that has ssr. So now I am worried about the bayrite failing mid brew do to cycling to fast.
I would like to be able to set up some mash steps and mash out automatically, not as concerned with or not sure I would even use the function of controlling my pumps other than a simple on off switch.
Like you mention it is best to spend more once than less multiple times. I think I will just spread the build out over a little bit of time and go for it.
Here is what I am thinking to get me going:
Ezboil - DSPR320
40A AC SSR
Pump Switch x2 - Single Pole Single Throw Rocker Switch 120V 10A1.8
Power Switch - Single Pole Single Throw Rocker Switch 125V 20A
Pump Socket x 2 - 120V 15A US Socket, Panel Mount, NEMA 5-15R
Heater Socket 5-20r nema
Temp Prob connector Panel mount connector for RTD sensor
Temp Probe - Liquid tight RTD sensor, 4 in, 1/2 NPT Thread
Panel Mount Cartridge Fuse Holder
Power in - 120V 15A Receptacle, Panel Mount, IEC 320-C14
Power Cord - C13 to NEMA 5-15P, 14awg, 10ft
Time to do some research on the actual build and wiring....