Hey Brett, apologies for taking so long to respond, this is my first chance to get on my computer since your post and I could never get a response out on my phone.
I'll admit I didn't look at the new designs until you mentioned them -- I wasn't sure when Gaspar emailed me whether the new pics were up or not and then never thought to look or didn't have much chance to look after that. My main source of enthusiasm for the new design was that the device secured shut to itself rather than the harness (seemed to have a greater ease of use in my mind, which is a major factor for me in choosing an STP). Having looked at the new designs on the site the new spoon design looks a lot like what I'm already used to, so I don't have any strong feelings one way or another on that, just the thought that I'll probably have less of an adjustment than I may have had with the original design. I had actually initially thought he had gone with the idea you stated (and had mentioned in our PMs); I was going to message you again to mention it but wasn't able to before this thread and now it seems it was just as well since it's a different design entirely.
Now that I've looked at them it's actually the harness that I'm not entirely sure of myself. Don't get me wrong, it's not because of the design or anything, I'm just used to feeling packers directly against me for the most part so that pouch may be something to get used to. You have a point though in the new STP design allowing for other harnesses to be used.