That doesn't bother me, I'd prefer grip shift, actually.
The parts support does concern me a bit, though. Not too much, if it's a good enough design to not NEED parts support, but it is a concern.
Leaning towards Sturmey due to dropout spacing, though, and I like the X-RF8(W) on my trike. So, any downside to the current S-RC3 over the current AWC?