I have never used a regular type of pump, so I cannot compare the two types. I’ve had my Bathmate for nearly a year now, and I had to refasten the comfort ring, but other than that, no real problems. At this point if something broke, I’d likely just buy another. It is definitely a solidly built, well thought out piece of PE machinery, I would give it good review and recommend it to anyone who is sitting on the fence, trying to decide if it’s worth buying one. I’m going to experiment with more recovery time, (days off) than I’ve been doing. I’ve read quite a few threads where dudes were getting better results with more time off. I’ve been doing three on, one off, and I think I may flip that and see what happens with a one on, three off schedule. Yesterday was day two of my days off, and I got an erection and it was five and a half inches around at mid-shaft, and that was probably thirty six to forty eight hours since I had last pumped, so I’m thinking that’s a step in the right direction.