What Mr Chase said, I have yet to meet a DIR diver that I didn't like, that said I haven't met the morally reprehensible Howard yet
For me, standard system, uncluttered configuration, great skills that are thoroughly and well taught and the fact that you can go anywhere in the world and dive with DIR divers and know exactly what you get and how they are going to dive.
It's not everyones bag, I'm sure the detractors will be along in their droves (sigh) in a minute, but hey they're entitled to their opinions