For me, consistent spin and reliable yardage control win for me.
The low spinning, unstoppable shot would scare me too much!

Same here Justin! Have been in search of a new set of irons for several seasons now. My thoughts are that in reality I feel like the numbers stamped on the bottom of the club have just been shifted around to give the impression that an AP3 7 iron gives you an extra 7 to 10 more yards than an AP 2 7 iron when in reality it is just that much closer to a 6 iron loft. The problem I have is that when I look down at the club behind the ball I may be holding an 8 iron number but see a 7 iron loft. Also if you have removed let's say your 4 iron and replaced it with a hybrid club due to it being easier to hit, an AP 3 5 iron loft is closer to the the club you took out. So yeah, I guess I am conflicted too!

What about moving to the TMBs for the long irons?

65 years old and getting older every day so it's AP1's for me and don't worry. You can stop the ball just fine with AP1'S.

You have options. Replace a couple of longer irons with the AP3? Compare 7I fitting clubs for the new AP2 and AP3 and see if you get enough distance w/o losing control.? Are you getting enough distance gap with your long irons - or need to consider another hybrid? You do need to trial all before pulling the trigger. Maybe you'll hit the AP1 too high and you lose distance. Work with a pro shop to work on what will improve your score, not just distance.

AP1s provide reliable distances and spin on well struck shots. I'm a higher handicapper and I put a solid swing on it, it's going to go exactly where I want and stop every time. And I play PX 6.5 shafts in them, so it's not like I'm playing high kick shafts.

Distance is truly a big part of the game. Look back at Jack Nicklaus’s driving distance back in his day, but the short game is still where you make a difference in scoring.

No dilemma for me :-) The game is challenging & humbling enough, so I'm taking advantage of everything golf technology has to offer in terms of forgiveness and distance.

As I have commented many times on here, I play AP2/AP3 mixed set, with TWO 7 irons. 8-10 yds difference between them on average for me.

PW-7i in AP2-716, 7i to 5i in AP3-718, with a 19* 818H, 15* 917F 3W. Plus 917D2 (soon to be TS), 3 Vokeys and 1 Scotty equals 14 clubs. Works great for me at 63 yrs old, 5.9 index. FWIW, I have been playing AP2s since 2011. Great irons.

Thanks everyone..a lot of great insights. I do believe that I should go out and get fitted and see whats best for my game. I do think there is still a mental aspect to hitting longer iron shots, so this season I did actually add a 4 and 5 AP3 into the set and worked on gapping them appropriately by bending to the appropriate lofts. I love the AP2s, but its always a bit humbling taking out a 4 iron to hit a reliable 210 yard shot! thanks everyone for the feedback...I guess winter is the perfect time to do a fitting up in Boston.

I got a better idea: Winter is the perfect time to do an outdoor fitting SOMEPLACE WARM!

San Diego, Phoenix, Orlando. Fares are good right now. Jus' sayin'. ;-)