Chris,
I agree with you regarding 'fashionable' objects that seem to flood the market from time to time, I doubt if there would be any one of us has not been 'taken in' by the general move to 'follow the trend''!
Seriously though, I had similar aversions to Lace Sensors for a few years for no valid reason I can think of, until I tried out a Fender Strat 'Plus Series' with the Lace Gold Sensors, and I was hooked! As far as noiseless pups go, I do have Kinmans on one guitar, but prefer the Lace, particularly the 'Holy Grails' for the vintage tone. Unlike the situation in my 'youth', I can now afford to (and do) keep a 'selection' of guitars for any sound that I fancy, from BB King 'Lucille' to Marvins (both Burns and Baldwin) to Strats to Telecasters of various kinds, however if I had to give them all up and keep only one, it would be the '62 re-issue Strat with Lace Holy Grail pickups for sure.