I don’t think the discussion was ever about an advantage. I’m pretty sure I said (if I didn’t I will say it now because it needs to be said) that the guys whining that in-line shifters shouldn’t be allowed and have H pattern shifters only is just bad policy.
Evidently some guys think there is an advantage. There isn’t. I just prefer in-line shifters and they are not harder to drive than an H pattern.
They are a bit of a pain to mount, which is why I prefer the Ram Rod over the Vertigate. The shifter isn’t much bigger than an H pattern shifter.
Since I can fabricate that doesn’t bother me.