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Weresquatch, as long as the unit you choose is in good condition, and has the right tooth capacity, you should be fine.
Derailleur discussions are interesting from my perspective because I haven't had very many bad experiences with them, and I've used lots of them. Many units that have been maligned for one reason or another have proved functional in my experiences.
I run a Suntour Honor on my UO-8 and it moves the chain just fine. No complaints.
There was a Shimano Eagle II that I ran on a 1x5 Schwinn Varsity, and I liked it a lot. Move the lever = move the chain.
One thing I will say about durability, which may or may not be an issue for many, is that I have had failure of Shimano plastic pivot spring housings seen on Titlist, Altus, and many others. They can crack and crumble unexpectedly.