I too just bought a VR-3 this year. I have about 10 dives on it, with 3-4 requiring decompression stops. So far I like it a lot. You can't ask for much more versitility, and once you have learned the buttons, it is easy enough to use under water. I think the big things are the ability to switch gases, which is easily done, and the information that you have access to during your dive. The screen while diving is easy to read and the ascent screen is stupid proof. I mean if you are coming up to quickly, you get a big red hand that says stop. When you reach your stop depth, the red hand comes back. When your stop interval is done, a green arrow points up and your next stop depth is clearly displayed. If you go to VR-3's web site....the UK one, they have a flash program that allows you to simulate a dive.