"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
The only thing a tool has to do is remove wood to a mark. The accuracy is in the mark and the ability to stop when you get to the mark or just barely take it out.
We have tool stores in Houston. When I have a question like yours, I go to a store and pick them up in order to make up my mind.
I have thought I might like a router plane but have always found a work around, wide chisel to set hinges, just extend a shoulder plane blade etc. Never imagine making an accurate groove with one. It does not do that much for what they cost!
Until the antique bargain comes along I doubt this will change.
You can do a lot with very little! You can do a little more with a lot!
Charles, while I agree with you that woodworking is essentially working to a line, the matter of a depth stop (to stop at a line) is quite a different matter.
Many of the tools we use have a depth stop built it as it is an aid in accuracy. One example is a plough plane. You cannot actually see the depth the blade is reaching when inside a groove. You can watch the rebate plane getting closer to its line, but a depth stop that bottoms out is desirable insurance, at least. The depth stop of a router plane is similar. Set the final depth and work to it. That make for quicker, and less stressful work. No one says that you rely on it alone.
Using a router plane like a butt mortice plane ...
To the OP: the depth stop on the Veritas and the LN router planes works identically.
Regards from Perth
Derek