I personally don't think you can go wrong with one. when the venturi (and similar other types) came out, they were all the rage. Kinda like a v-8, 4 barl carb, or bottled water. You just had to have it to be cool.
Air pumps can be finicky (so can power heads and venturi jets).
But all in all this is one case where i'm not sure the newest technology is all that much of an improvement. I have a couple of old skimmers (one is not even counter current). When I set up small tanks (quarantine and the like). I through one on. It works great.
Is it AS efficient? can't swear to it, but it seems to do fine. I personally think the hum of a good quality air pump can be more soothing that that of another powerhead.
just my $ .02 worth
johnny