It feels like AR really needs a real boost. Is it just me?

Oh, lord, yes. Boost Range on Full Auto and Flamethrower are just sick, and when you stack the thematically-appropriate Munitions Mastery -- three Damage/Range HOs in LRM Missile puts you out at 'See that dot?' ranges.

Sadly Device shares those same powers with Traps and Traps on top of all of that has other powers that outshines those other in Device.

It would be nice if they somehow made Device unique in the sense of creating some options for it that would make it desirable.

For example If you took only 3 powers out of the set it would make them extra good. As an example taking Target Drone, Cloaking Device and Smoke Grenade would give some sort of higher Defense boost. This way if someone was looking to get some extra defense as a blaster they might move to picking up the set for that reason.

If you picked Caltrops, Trip Mine and Time bomb you would get some sort of AOE Damage bonus.

I am just trying to think of ways that would not break this holy trinity they have about straying away from the basic concepts of the powers. I know there are many that regardless of how device works they still would not want it changed. Which is fair and understandable.

Or modify them to have extra utility but still keep the original concept in mind as well. Example Trip mine have 2 settings. Basically how it would work is you place time bomb down and get a green ring around the power after several seconds. This would be the short setting which would make it identical to Trip mine. Or you can continue to place the bomb and get a Yellow ring which now it set as a time bomb, except you can decide when to make it go off by clicking the button once again.

Cloaking Device should just have some sort of higher unmitigated defense value then it currently has.

Give players a reason to pick it up. You already gave Device away by giving powers to Traps. You need reason to look back at Device when comparing it to another power set. All Device has currently is that cool look to it. Like having a fast looking cool car but only having a 2 cylinder engine under the hood.

Regardless of the difference in DPS even on a team a Traps AR can out dps a AR Device. Here is the simple reason why, because a Traps player can obtain defense cap and just kill more mobs then a AR Device player can. While a Your running missions at +2 +1 maybe, I'm running +8 +1 on my Traps AR defender.

I don't know what would cause the Devs to drag their feet at trying to update this set to something a bit more reasonable and up to date.

With top-line IO'ing I think the balance shifts slightly in favor the Blaster. The Traps Defender can soft-cap all positions (and in fact all positions and all types if you use Weave and both +3% IOs) but the Blaster can softcap Ranged (with some sacrifices). Since the Blaster can use Caltrops and an AoE immobilize from a PPP to keep most enemies away his effective survivability is almost as good as the Defenders and his damage is MUCH higher. Admittedly there are some groups he will have a lot more trouble than the Defender with (Carnies and Malta in particular) but against the softer groups (such as Council) I think he can solo as quickly or slightly faster. I've just finished respeccing both, so I'll try and run some tests when Ive got a chance.

I agree with you in the abstract though, the Defender's overall suvivability is a lot higher.

I'm working my AR Device myself to attempt Ranged Cap. I need to understand the Incarnate numbers a bit more to be able to work them into a build. I'm not gonna pay for that PvP IO its just too,too rich for me. I'm not gonna lie and be heart breaking honest. If it were not for my pride, I would buy the Infulence from some farmer and get whatever I want. I can buy billions with 1 hour of OT and still have money in my pocket and just call it a day. But I won't..

But Right now my Traps AR Defender is Incarnate slotted ( damage defense debuff ) and is a beast. I run 0 +8 just for ease factor. But he is really cool toon to play. I put him up there with my Bots Trap MM. No purple IOs.

I'm in the mind set that maybe they need to add some sort of combo bonuses to Device so as not to affect the cottage rule issue. So yes your lacking in Build up and Aim combo, but your getting a higher steady hit value and some sort of Defense bonus increase as well. You will do less damage but your survivability is a bit more increased. Again make it in conjunction with Assault Rifle so as not to over power the other sets now.