I wanted a glycin based stand developer developer for film. FX-2, although you can stand, is not a 2 bath. I liked the results with Harvey's 777 and wanted to get some of those results with a 2 bath.
Although I could have put some sodium bisulfite in Thortons A, I was looking for the tones I achieved with the Metol / Glycin mix. With that, I don't feel it is really any more complicated.
That may be true, but B&H shipped to me in Canada. I bought 100 grams over a year ago and has kept well in a sealed container in my freezer. 100g will last a very long time with this stuff.
Not being able to have one in hand, I can't really tell. What I can say the tones are closer to what I like. I've been testing on the crappiest/grainiest film I have on hand (ORWO N74+) and I am pleased. It's time to thaw out some PX and see where it takes me.
I did develop some Neopan 400 (by mistake) that I took last summer. I liked the edge, but the film needs to be pulled back a bit. Fully printable, but may even need to change 4:4 times for the films with more layers.
I am curious what it would do to TX, but I have none around.