Shearwater has chosen Bühlmann ZHL-16C with Gradient Factors for newer models such as the Perdix 3, which does not offer VPM-B. Following the direction Shearwater has chosen, Dive Gear Express has elected to no longer offer VPM-B as an option, even where it remains available on earlier models. Gradient Factors let divers adjust first-stop behavior and shallow-stop conservatism within a transparent, widely supported decompression model.

VPM-B is associated with older deep-stop bubble-model practice. Decompression research has challenged the benefit of those profiles, and validation studies have identified problems with excessively deep initial stops.