I've had Deores shot inside of a few rides, XT's not last 3months,  Pro2 front not last 6months,  but I've had Hope XC last nearly 5years and still going ( on a mates bike ),  and had other XT and Deore hubs last 2years+ so,  it's all pot luck really,  buy cheap buy twice works for me.

The Halo Freedom hubs look like XC's but take 20mm so got to be different bearings,  no play so far,  better than the Pro2's and CHEAPer

Not at all impressed with Hope hubs the bearings were out for fun and IMO DT rims are a little soft.

Stick with Mavic Rims and XT hubs if you want handbuilt.

and IMO DT rims are a little soft.

 The new 2007/8 are supposed to be better apparently..

OH..and bare in mind you can get custom DT5.1 on Pro11 from Merlin (in the hub colour of your choice!) for about the same price as Hope Hoops..

got some hope hoops on offer from work for £210...

sitting here with tyres fitted, waiting to go on the bike - look very nice...

and that freehub is loud...

thanks for all the input!