First impression - commuting
^ I can't comment on durability, yet. But overall my first impressions are favorable.
(Sorry for the poor quality pic.)
I think it performs nicely for what I want it to do, which is to allow me to get going from dead stops on upward slopes on my commute without popping my knee. I think it will be helpful on those cold, windy, wet commutes home where I just don't have the juice and I can shift all the way to 1st, esp. on the bits of natural path trail I ride where mud slows down the spin. My plan is to keep it in direct drive for my preferred gearing (48x17 or 16). If I flat this winter, then I won't have to twiddle with adjusting the shifter in the dark as well as fixing the flat.
The lash is okay, helps me work on keeping my spinning smooth. When shifting, important to ease off pedal pressure and make sure the shifter has clicked into place. Adjusting the shifter is pretty simple stuff (as long as one has sufficient light to see).
The axle seems a little dainty--I've broken hardier ones in the past. We'll see.
Right now I will stick to my regular fg hubs for weekend pleasure cruises--lighter bike, no gear, fewer knee issues.
More experiences when I have 'em. Yes, it does add to the fun-factor.