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it didn't give me the repeatability I wanted
As I've already said decent circular saws can run on tracks in exactly the same way as a track saw can so are just as repeatable as a track saw.
Both rely on the user measuring accurately something that in my experience a surprisingly large number of people manage to not do repeatedly and something that is time consuming enough to be unacceptable in a production setting. This is what guys like Peter Millard use a MFT (and also what Festool developed it for) and everyone else uses a table saw for - repeatability.
I wouldn't say your ability to eyeball and freehand a straight line faster than setting up a rail assisted cut is universally applicable.
I wouldn't employ anyone who called themselves a chippy if they were not able to cut a straight line with a skilsaw. It's a pretty basic skill that should be mastered in the first year of an apprenticeship and therefore well within the grasp of any keen DIYer.
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Bobbo
Your point is a fair one. I started with a circular saw and went to track saw when it didn't give me the repeatability I wanted. It seems like you've come out the far side of that, but I wouldn't say your ability to eyeball and freehand a straight line faster than setting up a rail assisted cut is universally applicable.
The thrill of a battery powered circular saw is definitely something though.