can you read or write 8 bits at once?

I agree, once you get used to hex there is little need for binary.

For those that don't know, here is a little tip for Binary to hex conversion:

Take a binary number (works for any number of bits, but lets choose 13 to demonstrate):

0b1101101101010

Split it into groups of four bits starting from right to left

   1   1011   0110   1010

If there arent a multiple of four bits, then pad with zeros until there are (now you see why I chose 13)

0001   1011   0110   1010

Now convert each group into decimal [base 10] (you can skip this step when you get used to it)

  1      11      6     10

Now convert each group into hex [base 16]

  1       B      6     A

Finally, stick it back together, and you have your hexadecimal number:

0x1B6A