At least, all pilots involved in that discussion were of the opinion that the enroute IR rating is a gambling rating that is not worth pursuing.
That would seem to be because they haven't understood the concept.
In a discussion with a group of pilots and flight instructors at an ATO, there were strong doubts in terms of the practicability of exercising the privileges associated with enroute IR rating in the en route phase of a VFR flight when it comes to navigating IMC conditions and avoiding hazardous conditions such as icy conditions.
Where did you get "VFR flight" from? With an Enroute IR, you plan a flight as an
IFR flight, except for the departure and arrival. That is a critical part of the concept.
The perspective is that most GA aircrafts are not adequately equipped for flights in icing conditions and it also posses a challenge to establish an ice-avoidance flight plan in the en route phase of a VFR flight.
Again you talk about a "VFR flight". The enroute part of the flight is flown under IFR. There are VFR segments only at the beginning and end of the flight. If these cannot be flown in VFR, don't make the flight, just as you wouldn't make a wholly VFR flight.
Icing is a hazard whether you have an IR or an EIR. If you choose to make an IFR flight in such conditions, you need to have a plan to deal with the icing.
At least, all pilots involved in that discussion were of the opinion that the enroute IR rating is a gambling rating that is not worth pursuing. VFR flight operations into IMC environment must be avoided and is really not recommended.
It is exactly because "VFR flight operations into IMC environment must be avoided"
Navigating IMC territory is very complcated and I personally would advice to go the full IFR route (get the full IR rating) instead of striving for a gambling rating.
I think most of us would prefer to have an IR. But that requires 40 hours of instrument time. The EIR exists because even with 15 hours of instrument time, most pilots are competent enough to hold a heading and a level under IFR, and it's safer to have them do that than scud run VFR below the cloud on the same journey.