The idea is that you have a bunch of simple controls directly accessible without having to open the plugin. But I agree with you, I find it an unnecessary addition and complication. 90 percent of the stuff I use doesn't have its own PC module and using endless custom fx chains is tedious. In addition, with the QC specifically, I find the idea of having to use my mouse to turn a virtual button ridiculous and not ergonomic at all in a modern DAW environment. Which I'm only saying because it means the rather large GUI part of the QC in the PC is useless to me. I haven't counted them but that's a large bunch of controls I never need.

Still off topic, but LP64 with a spectrum view and maybe a little bit " user friendly " gui would become a kind of ultimate linear phase eq....
Cheers.

I've always used the Quadcurve for hi and lo passing plus whatever cuts I need. For boosts I like to insert the Waves VEQ3 after it because its boosts sound so much sweeter, even when boosting as much as 8dB. But that's an analog emulation which adds character. Other times I'll use the Waves Renaissance EQ, although its interface is horribly dated.

Just recently though I've started using Cytomic's The Drop, a wonderful analog filter emulation that has a ton of creative modulation possibilities. It's a really amazing sounding filter which has a handful of different emulations. The reason I'm substituting it for the hi and lo pass filtering on the Quadcurve is because it has a resonance control and I'm finding that a higher cutoff resonance is helping certain elements stand out in the mix, and also for electronica styles hi resonance filter sweep capabilities are a must. You can also drive the filters for added character. I'll still use the Quadcurve for my cuts however, and the spectrum analyzer is invaluable.

Sanderxpander
I use FabFilter Pro Q2, it's so ergonomic that it has made me dislike knobby EQs (in software).

 
I second the FabFilter Pro Q2.  One of the features I like is being able to listen to what your filter out. Good for general band pass filter and to filter some bad vibes. (Ah there's that critter I'm looking for!)