I think that's true. Suntour shifts better but campy doesn't seem to wear out. Plus campy stuff is beautifully made but yeah that doesn't excuse the poor shifting or the expense compared to the Japanese stuff from the same era.

I still have a few simplex steel RDs that are dead ringers for the delrin ones that weren't exactly known for their longevity. They work well and fit into the lower rent derailleur category.