Sock Rockets - a review

I love to knit socks, and I'm always receptive to anything that will make that experience even better, so when I heard about a "new" needle (Sock Rockets) made by skacel, I ordered a pair from Jimmy Beans Wool.

The package insert states, "These Sock Rockets needles combine the sharper tip of the addi Turbo Lace needle with the slick nickel-plated coating of the classic Turbo needle - resulting in the perfect needle to make sock knitting faster and easier!"

The needles arrived soon after I ordered them (thanks, JBW for not disappointing), and I quickly transferred this sock onto the needles.

addi Turbo Sock Rockets
Two circulars method

Clearly you can see from the photo that the needles are long and are clumsy and awkward to use; however, the needles are not available in a 16 inch length - a huge mistake by skacel (addi), in my opinion. These needles fell short of the packet insert's statement that it is. . ."the perfect needle to make sock knitting faster and easier!"

The needles pictured are 24 inches long - the shortest length available. The tips are nice and very similar to my Knit Picks needles. The cables are very pliable and perfect for sock knitting although not as flexible as Knit Picks. The tip and cable join are extremely smooth, and this is where they clearly outshine Knit Picks.

addi Turbo Sock Rockets
Magic Loop method

Okay, I wanted to give the Sock Rockets the benefit of the doubt and tried the Magic Loop method with this sock. The kinky yarn slid like butter over the cable and tip joins, which was nice compared to the snags I was getting with the Knit Picks. The long needle tips were helpful when knitting with the Magic Loop, but I found the 24 inch cable a bit too short: the 32 inch would be better for Magic Loop, but I was not going to invest in another needle at this point. My impressions: too long for knitting socks with two circulars, and too short of the Magic Loop method.

Let's talk price: 
Knit Picks Options - fixed 16 inch circular needles $5.99 each
                               (to be fair, even the 24 inch is $5.99)
addi Turbo Sock Rockets - 24 inch  $13.50 at Jimmy Beans Wool
                               (to be fair, they are also available in a 32 inch length
                               which would work better for Magic Loop sock knitting)

After using these needles on two different socks, using two different methods of knitting, I would give them a "thumbs down" for my sock knitting. Hopefully, I will find another project that suits the length of these needles. If the Sock Rockets are ever available in a 16 inch length, I would purchase them in a heartbeat, but until then, I'll keep using my tried and true Knit Picks 16 inch Options.

Have you tried the Sock Rockets? What was your impression?