I am looking for everyone's opinions, thoughts, and experience with the Tru Ball GOAT release. I am thinking of getting one of those.
Well said!Any release that can be set up for two different methods of shot execution is going to require compromises to make both systems work in a sufficiently acceptable manner.
As a thumb release, it has a good, crisp trigger with a low to medium tension range (TRU Ball thumbs don't go heavy). The drawback is the open-hook that moves freely after the shot. So you can't hang it on the d-loop and you might need to push the hook closed when you reset the trigger.
As a hinge, it suffers from having the handle ergonomics and hook position of a thumb release. Hook position can mitigate that since the Stan LynX hinge has the same shape handle as the OnneX. However, shoot a LynX next to an OnneX Hinge and you can see how the differents hook position affect your leverage. If you are willing to commit to making adjustments to your form and learning to use it effective, then you might be able to make it work.
I am a more staunch proponent of buying a dedicated hinge and a dedicated thumb that have been checked to produce a similar point of impact. It's more expensive, but no compromises are required.