The ability to change from friction to indexed shifting (and back again) at the brifters could be convenient, particularly if you wanted to try a "mixed marriage" drivetrain that couldn't work otherwise.

But I just don't see that convenience being worth the price of these shifters - particularly given the level of "pain" involved in installing/reinstalling them. And as others have said, for that kind of $$$ I'd also have expected a much nicer fit and finish.

Edited to add: That's especially true since you can currently get Wheeltop's programmable electronic shifting (road bike/cable brakes) for <$200 more.