I’m considering switching from SPD-SL to Speedplay pedals. I’ve only ever ridden on Shimano SPD-SL pedals, but must admit that the thought of an easier entry (dual sided) really appeals to me. Even though I’ve ridden on SPD-SL pedals for years, I still find myself looking down when trying to re-cleat. It gets very frustrating. Has anyone else made the switch to Speedplays for this reason? Thanks for your thoughts.
Two very different pedal systems. There’s a lot more float in the Speedplay unless you get the Zeros. I actually switched the other way because I wanted less float and the larger platform. Having used several different pedal systems, I can tell you that ease of entry was not an issue. If you practice, you get more adept at clipping in regardless of what you use. That means actually clipping in and unclipping on your rides, not doing everything in your power to avoid it. It’s like grabbing a water bottle, drinking and putting it back in the cage without looking at it. If you do it enough, it becomes second nature. The SPD-SL sort of hangs in limbo so that the easiest clip in is sliding across the pedal and stepping down when you feel the right position. I can’t remember the last time I had to look to clip in. Hope this helps.
It’s funny that you used that water bottle analogy since I have problems drinking on the fly as well! 
Practice makes perfect, I guess…
I went from the SPD, back in the day, to SPD-R (still have) to LOOK to SPD-SL to Speedplay.
I’ll probably never use anything other than speedplay again. I’m no slouch at riding and dont have problems getting into my pedals, but the speedplays are far and away an easier pedal. I didn’t think I would really care, but I fell in love with them. I like the way my SPD-R feels when I clip in, but they were the only pedal that gave me fits getting into… why they’re not around any more (lance didn’t like them)… but the ease of the speedplay was impressive.
Pull the trigger. You’ll LOVE them.
This is the way I went. I would never go back. After three years in the Shimano, it never felt natural. Speedplay Zeros took just a very short time to become second nature to me.
x3 on SPEEDPLAY zeros. To clarify, float can be adjusted on the cleats of the zeros. Just press down and GO (really fast…or really slow, its up to you)
I have just gone back to Speedplays after riding SPD-SLs. I was an early adopter of the “Lance” model 7750 and rode the SLs up to this year. Prior to that I rode Speedplay X and then Zeros from about 94-03.
I went back to the Zeros because I never could get the cleats “just right” on the SPD-SLs. They always felt like I was slightly “off center” which is ok with the float, but the SLs are a “self-centering” cleat that tries to get to “center”. The Zeros have totally free float through the range that you can adjust (X series have free float in a non-adjustable range).
The Speedplays will feel like ice skates for a ride or two, even for me who had ridden them before. But they are VERY easy to mount. You should be quite capable of a Lance-style running remount after just a few rides on them. 
Having been back on them for a month now, I can’t believe I gave this up for the SPD-SLs…you can count me as a big fan of Speedplays, especially the Zero models. The ONLY thing I don’t like is the cost of replacement cleats (roughly double that of Look or Shimano).
One more Speedplay whore here… I have 3 sets on different road & Tri/TT bikes. Although - I still use the recessed SPD-style on my MTB, cross, touring, and winter beater rigs for walkability, but whenever I do I can notice my knee constantly trying to torque against the lack of free float.