FH1100,
The RIPS system is a nice extra in the S-92. Atleast here we never lunch into icing conditions without a positive temperature band from SL to 500ft. The advantage of RIPS is that we don't have to descend to a low level to remain clear of icing/shead ice and can remain at standard altitudes.
There has been some issues with RIPS, but it now seems that most of these have been resolved and the system works very well in my opinion.
As mentioned, a good post and some very valid points!
TiP