Has anybody used downtube shifters on a cross / bike packing bike in the recent past, or indeed present?

How do you find them? Nice and simple or outdated and annoying?

I have them on my cross check and find them fine to use. 2 caveats though. I've never had road STIs and I don't use the bike for bikepacking.

Not down tube shifters, but have used 9 speed Dura Ace bar end shifters on my Roadrat. Work just fine, but not as convenient as STIs. I tend to stay in one gear for longer as it's harder to shift on rough ground. More robust than STIs and the friction mode is good if your indexing is out. Not got the 'rat any more but I am using the bar end shifters on my road bike now. I think that's the 4th bike i've used them on now. 8-)