I use the snare line primarily for soloing. It's not nearly as powerful/useful as it was in EQ1, where snare was a given on about any mob. However, when you are arrow kiting it really helps out, as you can keep the mob off of you for the majority of the fight as you run around pumping the beast full of arrows.
The duration isn't that long you are true, but it's definately better than several milliseconds... I'd say 10-20 seconds or so, but still enough to keep the mob back, and if you keep moving even after the effect expires, you usually add another 5-7 seconds before it catches you, and then the timer is back up soon after that.
In a group setting I never use it unless we have to get away quick from a single mob, and escape isn't up.
