Is the 18-200 THAT bad?

Ok, I know superzooms of this sort are compromised on image quality, but photozone gives it a 1.5/5 rating on optical quality?! DPreview is a little kinder but gives it a "recommended (with reservations)" .

I have no use for this lens, but I have been contemplating getting a kit for my wife (the camera would be a T4i/650). Is this lens so bad that it's not even worth considering?

Thanks in advance,

--
Howard
cameras: 5DII, 50D, D60, Rebel 2000 (film)
lenses: 17-40 f/4 USM L, 24-105 f/4 USM L, 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS USM L, 24 f/3.5 TSE L, 35 f/2, 50 f/1.4 USM, 100 f/2.8 IS USM Macro L, 300 f/2.8 IS USM II, 430 EX II, Kenko Pro 300 1.4x TC, EF 2x TC III
personal website: http://www.travelerathome.com
blog: http://travelerathome.wordpress.com