I use both Microshift and Shimano bar end shifters. For 9 speed, I prefer Shimano Dura-Ace to Microshift. It's very subjective, but to me the shifting is just a little smoother (I found this to be true in both index and friction modes on the rear derailleur).
As an aside, for 10 speed, I only use the Microshift bar ends, their one-of-a-kind (near as I can tell) model that is matched to Shimano 10 speed MTB rear derailleurs with the clutch mechanism. These work very well, and they feel better to me than Microshift's 9 speed variant.