Phil, you're spot-on with your assessment.
The issues with the 969 are not quality issues per se, but philosophical issues. The 969 does not have that "constant voltage, constant current" charge mode that's REQUIRED to safely and properly charge a LiPoly. Instead, they have you running the battery in a "fixed capacity, peak detect" mode. LiPolys do not have a "peak," and are not always fully discharged. Unless the settings detailed in the 969 manual are some sort of kluged way to get a constant-voltage, constant-current charge, the charger is not safe to use to charge LiPolys.
Of course, if you want to redecorate your house, go right ahead
