I run +2's/3s with pugs all night as a healer. Usually a quick invite. Most pugs even with a carry are able to get 2 chests if not 3. Not sure what terrible groups your running with. Very quick artifact power. I get much more from mythic+ than lfr. Who knows. Maybe I just don't suck at healing and my groups can chain pull. Also I got 2 of my legs from chain running mythic+ with mostly pugs.
Also I wanted to add. I don't agree with the item level difference being that big. Besides LFR being for casual its a catch up mechanic for those wanting to level up alts to get them to normal raids quicker OR for people who are late in the expansion. Nobody gonna be running EN except for some pugs when NH comes out. LFR is typically used as a quick catch up mechanic to get yourself to running normal