The Edelrid Heron is most definitely a perfect purchase. It is dry treated and dirt resistant, preserving the length of service.
Edelrid have certainly though about their customer when designing the rope, the outer layer is shrink wrapped onto the inner to allow for a strengthened, hard wearing structure. All this increases the life of the rope (assuming proper use).
Due to the light weight and durability of the rope I get many of uses out of it; UK winter mountaineering, indoor lead climbing and outdoor trad climbing.
I would recommend this rope to those wanting to get out on the mountain for the first time and get a secondary use out of it in rock climbing.