I seem to be in the same position as you with regards to my diving and I have recently bought a VR3. Yes, it was an expensive purchase but it is very easy to use and I justified the cost by convincing myself that the unit can be upgraded as my diving advances (I don't know how valid that will be in real life though!
).
Just as a very odd aside, I've felt much less tired after diving with the VR3 and following its microbubble stops. Its probably all in the mind but I would say that justifies the cost alone.
