I know these are pretty new but they look awesome and I'm wondering if anybody has first-hand experience with them and whether they prefer them over the standard 1.5" cranks a la Strike King?

Yes, I've been using them since last Spring (yes, before they were on the market).  Here's my review:

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/flex-II-squarebill-review.html

 

Nice review, looking forward to trying them .

2 hours ago, Glenn said:

Yes, I've been using them since last Spring (yes, before they were on the market).  Here's my review:

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/flex-II-squarebill-review.html

 

Glenn, do you prefer these new cranks to the regular 1.5 cranks on the market like the KVD square bills? If so, why?

Yes, because I prefer the action of the old balsa squarebills, like the original Poe's RC3 - one of my all-time favorites.  Sadly, all my RC3's eventually broke over time.  But the new Flex 2 squarebills are built differently (stronger) yet have that balsa action.  Add to it, the design of the bill that gives it that erratic action, and you have a winner.

 

45 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Yes, because I prefer the action of the old balsa squarebills, like the original Poe's RC3 - one of my all-time favorites.  Sadly, all my RC3's eventually broke over time.  But the new Flex 2 squarebills are built differently (stronger) yet have that balsa action.  Add to it, the design of the bill that gives it that erratic action, and you have a winner.

 

I'll have to try a couple.....Glenn, sorry about your Poe RC3's breaking.....i still have 5 that are basically brand new.

I should probably buy a couple just so I won't have to pay so much years from now when they become collectors items like their predecessor 50 years before them. Maybe they'll beat the odds, or even be the next Plopper or Sprinker, but I doubt it. I could see the square bill version gain a following though. And hey, they'll probably be around longer than the "Genie worm" - lol. 

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

 like their predecessor 50 years before them

If your talking about the Burke Flex plugs , I have two . Didnt know they were collector  items .