Tremonti,
I just recently picked up an EV1, to replace my BOSS. To me, the EV1 has a much more useable sweep. Easier to dial in a specific volume point; smooth taper from start to finish; good control. I'm not sure I'm hearing or feeling the same dead spots your are. For me, this resolved the loss of precise control I was not feeling with the BOSS. The BOSS was definitely my go-to pedal for the past few years, but I always felt there was a lack of being able to zero in on a tight, specific volume point - I am able to do that with the EV1.
I also tried the Mission, but this didn't work for me, for volume - too short of a sweep, so not enough precise control; the Mission does work flawlessly as an effects/wah sweep pedal, though.
I tried a few volumes (EB, Hilton, Goodrich) before these, as well, but none of these worked well as an "expression" pedal. They all work great in my analogue rig for volume, but not as digital expression pedals.
All this being said, I have nothing "useful" to offer - just that the EV1 seems great to me, as a volume controller (probably wouldn't use it as a wah, due to the longer sweep). Easy to dial in, and I'm not getting the dead spots. Feel-wise, it's similar to an EB, without the tone-suckage. Sorry it's not working for you. I expect you'd be able to get back most of what you paid for it, if you decide to sell, as they're pretty popular, right now. I'm not sure what you replace it with, though, that would be better.