Don't sell it short. It has a lot of advantages over a prusik knot.
1 handed operation (huge advantage)
Doesn't lock up after bearing weight
Quicker and more efficient
Doesn't require routine replacement like ropes and cords do (lower long term cost of ownership)
It has lots of advantages.
I ran ropeman 1’s for a few years. Never comfortable wrt the safety. And if you look to the genesis of 4kN issue here ON SH, you’ll see I made a post on it, which I believe started more analysis of ropeman safety.
I did some research on tenders and interacted with Tony Greenway and put together a distel friction hitch and homemade tender and have been extremely happy with it. I used it all last season.
Prusik is only one of many friction hitches. I am not sure the majority of the SH community is aware of that.
To each his/her own.