I've been using a 29" straight stick baton since 2006 and haven't touched the old PR24 since then. I always felt the side-handle was kind of a gimmick and that "real cops" carried the straight stick. Pretty much everyone in my department now carries a straight stick in some form.
I was at defensive tactics training today and I forgot my baton so I grabbed a spare PR24 out of the closet to use. It's bizarre how much your brain and body remembers. I used the thing all day, and I got to say, I liked it! I may have to go back to carrying one.