my first brew I had it set for the strike temp using 240v. I forgot to turn it off so it was heating while I was adding the mash so it I over shot the mash temp by 5*+ The second time I turned off the heat at the strike temp but it still was too high and took longer than I cared to reach mash temp. I agree with ignoring software strike temp and striking 2 or 3 degrees above mash temp. However .....
This time I used 110 (for convenience of brewing in the kitchen) and just set mash temp. I use the circulation pump which, IME, should keep heat somewhat evenly distributed. It worked out for me. I was methodical adding the grains a scoop at a time to avoid dough balls. For the 6.5, 7lbs of grain and 4.25 gal of water, I am satisfied that this method will suffice going forward (plus a 90 min mash) without big swings. I think it was 155 at one pint but settled back at 152 quickly with the pump.
I think like any brew system, it has some quirks you work out over time. It’s pretty plug and play, but it can be tweaked to dial in more exacting to meet one’s preferences, like the strike temp variant
Regarding the chiller, I cut off the bends so that it fit in the unit. You may be able to see in the pics. IMO, the chiller is not properly designed for the 6.5. As for the hoses, no problems resting on the pot lids. Just keep an eye on the water pressure so it doesn’t try to escape out of a fitting. Plus a moderately low flow can be effective at removing heat while reducing water waste.
The fermenter is a cheap 3 gallon BrewDeamon. It was a gift from my niece. That being said, it works for me. It fits in my Craigslistcheapfind mini fridge that I run on a Willhi temp controller and that’s resulted in some seriously good beer. I’ve been looking at upgrades for 2 years now and haven’t found anything that would make me want to pull the trigger.