Why the switch from Saxon to Foerster textbooks?

Saxon textbooks have the following reputation:

1. They are written so that a student can read and understand lessons independently.
2. They are easily accessible to homeschoolers.
3. The cycling of topics and constant review results in a high level of retention of what has been learned.
4. They are very popular among homeschoolers serious about college-bound mathematics.

However, my experience using Saxon materials has revealed:

1. The cycling of topics can cause a disruption in the logical flow of mathematical thought. When up to two weeks might separate lessons that are usually found back-to-back in other algebra books, it is a bit of a challenge for students to see how a subsequent lesson builds on the prior lesson. Students continually need to shift gears, so to speak, when jumping from topic to topic.
2. Since the homework is primarily composed of review problems, students do not have a chance to truly delve into the new concept being taught. They do not fully master the new concept by solving a wide variety of problems that incorporate the concept in various ways before moving onto a new lesson. Even though the student will encounter more of these problems in future lessons, mastery of one lesson should occur before the student builds upon it in a future lesson.
3. As a particular type of problem is reviewed from lesson to lesson, the new problems are usually very similar to the initial few problems presented on the topic. There doesn’t seem to be a building in the complexity of the problems. In traditional algebra textbooks, the thirty or so problems at the end of each lesson begin with easy problems just like those presented in the lesson and build to more complex problems or problems that involve more analytical thought to solve. The Saxon problems do not seem to do that.
4. The Saxon books tend to over emphasize drill and “following the steps.” Even word problems follow a given pattern so the students can follow given steps to work through them. There is a void of problems that develop abstract thought or force students to think creatively.
5. Saxon books do not always adequately prepare students studying a math related field in college. The complete lack of proof in Saxon textbooks is one significant problem. The lack of more challenging problems is another.

When searching for textbooks that would be of the caliber I wanted, a friend of mine mentioned Foerster textbooks.  My research excited me and caused me to switch for the following reasons:

1. Professional reviews rate the content of Foerster textbooks very highly.
   A detailed review with clear ratings: http://mathematicallycorrect.com/a1foerst.htm
    
2. Foerster textbooks stand out among other textbooks in professional reviews.
   Textbook comparison: http://www.mathematicallycorrect.com/a1compar.htm
    
3. People who have used Foerster books consistently give high recommendations.
   A number of reviews on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-I-Expressions-Equations-Applications/product- reviews/0201860945/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
    
4. Paul Foerster is well qualified to write math textbooks.  His textbooks grew out of his years of classroom teaching and incorporate his experience as an engineer.
   A condensed biography of Paul Foerster: http://www.keypress.com/x2511.xml