I haven't tested them against UEF Cruisers, but they seem to be rather good now. Not terribly great damage and they are blind as a bat, but the speed.... wow.
Darkenoids never needed another look. They serve a purpose, like every other unit. The reason, alot of people do not like them, is they do not know how to use them. Like the noobs that send them agains't 50 fighters with know air support. The Darkenoids is one of the hardest air units to kill with just land to air defense/units.