Hopefully someone has some answers. 

  Question is how often does E-on update their plugins and do they keep older versions up to date?

Since I am also purchasing Max 2010 will Vue 7 extreme work with it?  How long does it usually take to catch up?

And next year if I decide to upgrade to Max 2011 will E-on update the plugin to work with it?

What if I decide to upgrade to Vue 8 without upgrading max do they make a plugin for earlier versions of max on the newest Vue?

Perhaps someone has a list of what plugins are out there for the previous versions of Vue it would really help.

Normally e-on updates the plugins to the latest version of the host app. How long does it take to update it?  No precise answer to this.
Vue7 will work with Max 2010 if you update it to the latest 7.4 build.
E-on doesn't update earlier versions to the latest version of Max. Vue 6 xSt won't work in Max 2010 for example. Once a new version of Vue is out, prior versions are not updated.
If you get Vue8, chances are it will work with Max 2009 and 2010, even earlier. Current Vue7.4 works from Max 9 to 2010, maybe earlier, I'm not sure.

It would seem that upgrading will be a headache down the road and very expensive. 

Thanks

Which upgrade?

None in particular.
 
   Just trying to make a decision on value vs. future cost.  Already got stuck once with Vue5 inf and the upgrade path to the newest Vue so I am hesitant to go Vue.

  Looks like Vray with Vray scatter will be a better option.

Thanks for the info.

Dave