I agree with you that hoovers was used heavily in hard house and as a result sort became a trade mark feature of it. I think if you use it properly they can be mental, i.e Technoboy - Harddrive!

Trance Generators mix of Rock To Da Beat! Pure Evil and a beautiful warped bass line. Saying that I do prefer good percussion over hoovery stabs but I wont object to them being used it they are used well.