I think a lot of it also depends on whether you "fall into" the restraint or not. Lap bars are great on the positive-G filled Schwarzkopf loopers, but not so good if there's part of the ride where something needs to support your upper body, ie. coming out of an inversion slowly. Even on Nemesis, I've definitely fallen into the OTSR coming out of the vertical loop, and been pleased it was there. With Euro Fighters, where you go through about 185-degrees quite quickly (assuming it's a 95-degree drop), I can understand why people want the OTSRs. I do think the rubber vests sound like a good compromise though.
Not so much 'fall in' but I think I get, and agree with, your point. But only if we're talking about too many lateral forces, rather than 'falling into' the restraint. Falling in is fine with a lap restraint, as evidenced by many slow Mack inversions, and for me, and I imagine other tall folk too, is preferable to having the top of your shoulder smash into the restraint. Too many laterals though, with no upper body support, can be, erm, interesting.
The thing with this is yes, that is likely the answer you get but that's because you've asked them, I don't imagine much non enthusiasts even notice what restraint a coaster has until they're in the seat
When Icon was opening, I had somebody message and ask if the ride was safe without 'proper restraints,' without me prompting them (It was my sister though, lol. And she still won't ride Hyperia, because she was terrified when she did ride Icon by the lack of OTSR.)
I also have a none goon friend, shabs, who won't ride anything with a lap bar. When she was younger she rode the big one, and was convinced she was coming out of the seat. As much as I've tried to convince her that this was impossible, and that she actually must have gotten some very rare air time on the big one, and this was a good thing, something we chase, she doesn't care, and won't change her mind. She's fine on Nemesis, Smiler, etc though.
2 anecdotal examples doesn't mean you're wrong, but it does show that sometimes none enthusiasts notice more than you may think, and they have some weird ideas about what is and isn't safe, precisely because they're not enthusiasts, and not clued up.
The Wave at Drayton Manor has lap restraints which is great until you hit the zero g roll. If you’re not expecting it/sitting on the outer seats your body get snapped to the side, spine nearly at 90 degrees, smashing into the bucketed seat. Really can ruin the ride experience.
Can imagine the experience could be similar on a eurofighter as it’s a fairly wide vehicle.
Has anyone ridden a lapbar eurofighter?
See my reply to Graeme, I agree, where there's too much sideways snap, or too many laterals, OTSRs can actually improve the experience.
