Ok, I will give this one a shot, If I understand what your asking:
Hayward maxflo xl vs pump 1.5hp or Superflo 1hp 2sp pump? Depends on your needs, and electrical cost, the Maxflo VS (I don't know of an XL, can't find it on Haywards site either) is a fairly new pump which was just released last year combining a Maxflo pump body with a basic variable speed controller, unlike other more expensive variable speed pumps it has no outside communication or control function, all programing must be done with its limited feature onboard control panel/timer The 2 Speed Pentair Superflo is a classic work horse, limited to 2 speeds, but these can be switched remotely by an automation system, timer, etc.
what i figured, i am an electrician and vfd's are nice but seem to have other issues (at least in my field).
Automation and communication? Bells and Whistles, depending on the features I guess it could be nice, but not really needed for most pools. After all do you really need to change the color of the LED pool light from your i-phone will sitting in your living room, or monitor and adjust the thermostat on you pool /sa heater while driving home from work?
don't need to control anything remotely, more talking about automation in the sense of pump control (basically a relay i would imagine) and swg/ph management (which after all of your comments i think i will leave alone).
Aqua rite vs. aquarite pro or suggestions for alternatives (I was told aqua rite swg is a solid product so have been leaning this way)? I don't own a pool SWG so will leave this one to others, but will say that based on the comments here that there are a number of quality SWG's on the market.
Is sense and dispense worth it for ph balance only, if i want to be as maintenance free as possible? Probably depends on the pool, pH stability is one of those things that varies considerably depending on local conditions and type of pool (plaster or not). Plaster pools are always going to need a lot of acid while the plaster is curing. By contrast depending on local water, wind blow dust acidity, etc some pools almost never need acid to adjust pH. With my pool for example I have probably used less than a gallon of acid in the last 4 years.
Is CO2 worth using over acid? Sounds like another of those bells and whistles, but may depend on if you measure your requirement for acid in gallons per day, per year or per decade. Valid comparisons on this only come from similar pools (including use of water features due to aeration nearby drawing water from the same water supply.)
simply knew little about this one lol, just saw that the ph can't drop below 5.5 with co2 (again trying to stay maint. cautious).
As far as pebble finish goes does brand really matter? if so what should i be looking at or for? Again don't have one, but from what I have read here, yes, at least to some degree.