I find honeycomb to be much stronger than rectilinear.
As the direction of the linear infill changes with each layer, there are only point contacts between each layer of infill. Whereas with honeycomb each layer is printed directly on top of the previous layer, meaning the bonds between layers is much stronger.
If you print two flat cubes, one with rectilinear and one with honeycomb. Then just bend each one you will be able to hear all the bonds in the rectilinear one breaking, and it will be noticeably softer.
I agree that rectilinear is much easier on your printer, therefore I only use honeycomb when i need strong parts.