And, you'll notice that there are lots of imitators now coming on line...if the stuff didn't work, why would they now start to make the stuff to compete, all without the decades of experience and probably millions of installations over the years.
If the divot method of installing a drain was so critical, why is it that nearly no manufacturer includes it? BTW, that's why the weep holes are on the bottom of the clamping drain collar, and you are supposed to keep them clear so the moisture can actually weep to them. If you follow the manufacturer's installation instructions, they aren't needed. Now, maybe you can't.
BTW, my shower construction exceeds two, but that is still irrelevant. I'm not trying to sell my company like John Whipple is. Based on what the moderators say at
www.johnbridge.com, you were banned, maybe after they warned you that that sort of behavior (berating, derogatory remarks) was unacceptable - you seem to be an all or nothing type, regardless of the merit of the argument. I believe them. Their stand on the posts was, they show the historic background for their reasoning. I've never said John Whipple doesn't have some good ideas, but he also has some really off the wall ones, that don't follow any of the manufacturers' instructions.
Personally, I believe the manufacturers', at least those with a long track record and a huge amount of installations to back up that experience and knowledge trumps a single person's. You obviously disagree, talk about ego! Once you have the background of hundreds of thousands of installation and years and years of testing that prove it works as defined by the manufacturer, maybe, but practically, that can never happen. The engineers work their whole life (and there are many of them) coming up with ideas that they know are reliable that are repeatable without numerous extraneous steps advocated by you. You're a great salesman, getting people to pay for the extra steps and added materials that history says are not required. Fine, it probably makes more money for you, but not necessarily on a product that is reliable.
FWIW, Schluter took several years of evaluation, testing, and engineering to come up with something they felt comfortable putting their name on. After evaluating what was available, they deemed they could provide a better way that solved some questions.
There's a slim chance regular Ditra could have an issue when used outside, so they worked on it, improving the product, and came out with Ditra Drain. It can be made waterproof, but in itself, is not, but it does drain any moisture that might get below the surface....that's what continued review and feedback showed. Something, a single user is unlikely to ever see. There isn't a similar product out there that is so thin and installs so easily. That's their thing...novel products that may go against what may be 'common' knowledge, but has no basis with new materials and techniques. Keep up your rants and attempts at minimalizing what others are capable of. 99% of what I post is based either on respected pros or the manufacturers' instructions...you cannot say that about yourself.
And, if you'll notice, most of John Whipple's posts have been removed by him. If he didn't stand by them, why?