Hey radiocycle. Iv'e used GL. Ex as my default launcher since I received my NX7 a couple of weeks ago. I really like the sheer amount of customization possible with this launcher. I am also using a clock and weather widget courtesy of the'beautiful Widgets app, as the default GL. Clock. The one thing that I really love about GL. Ex, is the scrollable app dock at the bottom of the homescreen. I can pretty much put every app. That I use on a daily basis right there on the homescreen, in a continuous scrolling 'ribbon'. Since I'm using a beautiful widgets clock and weather widget,.and a custom wallpaper courtesy of 'picspeed ' wallpapers, my GL ex homescreen Doesn't look any less customized than the default launcher, which I've customized, as well.
But, as mentioned, the big reason that I use GL ex, besides the countless themes available for download, is that scrollable app dock. Now one thing, when you download and activate any 3rd party launcher, as long as you do not check the 'use as default ' box when you install GL. Ex, you will always have the option to use GL or the default launcher whenever you unlock the tablet or hit the homescreen icon. That way you'll always have the option to use the default launcher if you're really partial to some of it's settings.
As far as getting your default items back as they appeared in the stock launcher, As I mentioned, as long as you don't set GL as your default launcher, you should always have the option to use the original launcher anytime you want.
I hope you enjoy GL. Ex. It's a well made, well supported app with tons of customization options. One of my favorites.