I gave the free versions a test run this morning and all I can say is that I really really hope that the new VRay plug-in developers are taking notes. I really like the GUI and I feel that Maxwell stuck to Chaos by coming out with this plug-in before they could release a new V-ray for SketchUp plug-in. I sometimes feel like I am using an old program from 1995 when navigating through the V4SU plug-in interface. Unless you have a few years of experience under you belt, you are really adjusting settings and values and hoping for the best.
I have said this before and I will say it again, for a $1000 rendering plug-in, V-Ray has got to be able to at least give us something that these other engines are providing in regards to features and UI. I sometimes think that the hefty pricetage pays for the trusted V-Ray name and engine code and thats about it.