Good of you to recognize his strengths.
He is a bit of a mixed bag.
Yes, I agree he's a mixed bag in several ways in fact. He does, at least did, apply the same methods consistently and argue with those who want him to apply others or make exceptions. He will pursue almost any theory or conspiracy for at least a while to see if it works out and drop it if he doesn't think so whether it has “legs” with his audience or not. I respect that and I respect the fact that a view he cannot argue against any better than he can argue for his own he will give equal billing. I don't know how much he may have changed his approach since the mid-90s
Regards