Thought I'd bring this up for discussion since Manhattan is getting closer to getting this working. Early on some posted that not many use these. But I have been using two Diseqc 1.1 switches for some time. I find the brand I'm using, Digiwave 1x8 a very solid switch with no problems of ports going bad or mis fires on switching. A friend blew out two of his 1.0 switches, presumably from nearby lighting strikes. One was a Coolsat four port, known to be a cheap giveaway switch. The other was a popular Chieta four port. I suggested he try the Digiwave 8X1 even though he only has three dishes. Been in service for over a year with no problems. If you have switch problems and your receiver has support for Diseqc 1.1 you should give one a try even though they cost a bit more I think they are worth it.
I definitely agree with the above.
Of course, the most important aspect of a 8x1 switch in this hobby/addiction.... EXPANSION! At one time I had my EMP Centauri switch (using its function to appear to be a motor) on port 1 of a 4x1 switch, and had a total of 22 LNBs running into my Pansat (don't know how I could ever be limited to only 8 satellites!).
Currently the EMP Centauri is on the AZBox with 15 satellites (using the combination committed/uncommitted, as my switch will only function as a motor, or as committed/uncommitted, there is a version 2 EMP Centauri which can also be a straight uncommitted switch, as well as the other two functions). With the AZBox, I can also go to the same configuration as I had on the Pansat any time I want.
Definitely worthwhile to have a 8x1 (EMP Centauri also has a 16x1!). But, as Pixl notes, make very sure your receiver has the support for the switch. For example, the Pansat did not have 1.1 (at the time) so my switch had to be used as a motor, and not all 8x1 can be used as such. Later, Pansat did add 1.1 support, but only as uncommitted, so my switch still had to be used as a motor.