I found the easiest way to do the IR was to use both - the standard analogue one for holds, coz you can glance at it to see what the timing is, and a digital one (preferably fixed to the yoke) for approaches. Then, when you have a moment, you set up the countdown time for the next approach (eg. set 3mins 40 seconds or whatever) and then when you start the time you just hit the go button. When you get to MAP the timer goes off, which is very useful in case you get a bit stressed out and forget.