The AudioGate is the same software as for the MR-1 (the 5.6 MHz setting on that was a tipoff that is was meant for the MR-1000 also). Conversion time is not dreadful, but does require patience, I'll try to time it next week if no one else pipes up. I am looking forward to the announced upgrade to version 1.0.0, hoping it will do a better job of cleaning out the hf noise when making 24/192 PCM conversions (16/44.1 is okay now), even if that takes a lot longer to run (Minnetonka techs tell me that CHrome II software can convert DSD to PCM either quick-and-dirty, which sounds like the AudioGate method, or cleaner but taking about 15 hours for a DVD-worth of audio). The file size at 5.6 MHz is 1GB about 11 minutes, so an hour would run about 5.5 GB. The autosplit is set on the MR-1 at a little over 1 GB, you get 25 minutes (so I suppose 12.5 minutes on the MR-1000 at 5.6 MHz, I'll check this weekend). It is seamless as far as I can tell. The MR-1 shuts down after 6 hours (whatever format you use) unless you restart at some point, I'll check this feature in the MR-1000 this weekend as well. The manual on the MR-1000 gives battery life on internal AAs (8 used) as 4 hours no matter what type you use (Alkaline, Oxyride, or NiMH with no mAh rating given), this seems unlikely to me, but I've been testing with the BatteryGeek 10-14-88 external supply.
As for ergonomics, there is no hold switch and the volume knob has a lot of play, somewhat easily turned. I would not say the buttons are bump-proof, but they don't strike me as accidents waiting to happen. The XLR connectors are solid, and the case has a nice flap so you can run the cables right in, the case is just a wee bit too tight to hold the MR-1000 with the BatteryGeek supply squezzed in on top. The flap on top of the case should prevent any accidental switch or volume changes, but I'm too paranoid to trust it. The MR-1, with menu volume settings and a hold switch, is clearly designed for pocket/stealth use, while the MR-1000 is not.
Jeff