The same with ANY measurement instrument, nothing unique here at all.
Crippled? Hardly the right term, try purposely designed. Just like you wouldn't go around saying a meters DC range is "crippled" because it's 0.5% when they could have made it 0.1%. Or a meters current range is "crippled" because it has a burden voltage of 10mV/mA instead of 1mV/mA. etc.
Usually, with meters, a lower spec is done to meet a lower price point. But in the case in question it is done for the purpose of meeting a (niche) market need. A tool is not crippled just because it doesn't meet YOUR job spec.
Dave.