Also just to clarify: I like mesh networks. In fact, I really like mesh networks. They are an elegant and efficient way to solve a lot of problems. Great resilience, very low cost in both dollars and energy. I care a lot about stuff like that.
To me, the inability to force a sequence is just the price you pay for all the other good stuff. It doesn’t bug me–I just add a star network for anything that needs greater throughput or forced sequencing or very precise scheduling.
So I use zwave/zigbee for what it’s good for, and WiFi/point-to-point for when I need it.
I don’t favor one over the other, I just try to match the topology to the use case. 