When I checked it out I noticed that the ramp/soak PID did not have a manual mode. I decided I'd rather have a manual mode available and saw limited use for the ramp/soak.
Ramp/Soak will allow you to set a series temperature set points and rest times at each temperature.
The lack of a manual mode isn't a deal breaker for me because this is for a RIMS unit, but I'm not sure that the ability to automate a temperature rest on the rare occasion that I do one is worth the extra $33.45.