I gather (but could be wrong) the EIR would require a VFR-IFR-VFR flight plan (Z) and would thus be no worse than flying VFR (VMC on top; widely done) in terms of the "end bits". You would have the additional benefit of an enroute IFR clearance.
I do wonder if some of the people pushing the "IR or nothing" agenda already hold IRs and are being slightly elitist
There is always an element of that...