3. I don't have to use CAN if I don't want to. The H36 allows you to run a USB line for data, and two power lines (live and ground), while also having an X30 connector (which is motion rated and thus doesn't have issues that USB alone would). You can still use CAN if you want, but I figured taking one more layer out of the system can only be a good thing.
4. The board is _extremely_ well-documented, down to an _interactive_ BOM on their Github.
(cont)