researched this extensively before starting boarding.
Went with Flexmeter in gloves (can't remove them from the gloves), and the same without gloves.
The gloves were / are quite restricting, and the 2008/9 double (dorsal and ventral splints) guards were uncomfortable because the palmside (ventral) splint was too long, and not well padded, so it pinched into the first finger joint past the knuckle on all fingers when boarding with a closed fist; presenting the risk of injury there if falling in the recommended way with fingers tucked in.
The 2009/2010 "plus" model (for "snow and skate" european terminology)...sold by Snowboard secrets US as the ex glove "all season" model, and in the glove as the black 2009/2010 model, and another stronger (ex glove "snowboard") model (european terminology-see german flexmeter website), both address this problem.
The gloves can be mitts or fingered.
I think that the ultimate snowboarding setup would be the gloveless double snowboard model used in a nice mitt of your choice.
This allows removal and drying / cleaning/ repair of the guard, and replacement /swaping of the glove according to conditions.
These guards are in my opinion the best on the market