Two cold spots are not better than one. If you're claiming that the approach you describe is more efficient, then I agree with you. But for me the 'vents pointed away' approach is still subjectively more comfortable, though it does take longer.

there are controls for both speed and temperature, as well as vent direction. it's not difficult to find a comfortable combination.

I understand what you're getting at, but having 1-4 vents pointed at the front of your body is not the same as having the cabin air at a particular temperature. Neither is having air blowing on your front side the same as having air swirling about your entire body.

Basically, any fan/temp setting with vents directed at you either feels too uncomfortable or not cooling enough due to the direct impact. It's easier to fine tune ambient cooling with vents directed away from you. I wonder how these jackets work in that regard.