GREAT OVEN, with one huge caveat

SELF CLEAN UPDATE----
Fisher & Paykel has been working very hard trying to fix the problem many of its customers have with their oven's self clean mode.  My last service to replace the kit after a self clean was 2/2009.  At that time the tech said that a new part was being developed that would fix the self clean problems and that it would be available this summer.  Well, I just had mine installed the end of October; I haven't cleaned the oven yet, but the tech said he has done several of these and none have failed.  I think I will wait until after the holidays, just to be sure.  The fix by F&P was basically to lower the self clean temperature, but increase the cleaning time from three hours to five to ensure a full clean; the replaced part is the clock that controls everything, including the self clean cycle.  So please check back for a final update to this review which will hopefully be a final resolution to this ongoing problem.
ORIGINAL REVIEW FOLLOWS----

This is a fantastic oven, in the class with all the heavy hitters where design and performance are concerned.

Concealed lower heating elements translate to less smoke and mess to clean up when foods do spill over. The upper element is recessed and out of harms way for all but the clumsiest of cooks. Those element-burnt backs of hands/fingers should be absent on this model.

The three halogen lights in each oven make opening the oven during baking to check color a thing of the past; I've never seen an oven this bright inside. The "Diamond Blue" interior is brilliant and is a dramatic accent to the stainless exterior.

The oven is superbly insulated. You can stand right next to this unit and never know it is on, except for the gentle fan that runs anytime the unit is switched on. Hours after traditional ovens would have cooled completely you will notice this one will still be hot inside, a fact that points directly to its excellent insulation design. It's a good idea to keep children away from all such appliances, but I assure you, this oven's doors are not even so much as warm during use.

It has many more functions than most people will use, but it provides significant versatility. It has a standard and convection mode for just about any baking you can think up.

The alarm indicator for the timer is fairly quiet, but it persistently alarms until manually switched off; I think Fisher & Paykel could make it a touch louder.

Potential buyers should consider one issue with the OD302 model--it has a significant problem with the self cleaning mode at high altitude. This oven was designed in New Zealand, at sea level as one might expect, and the thermostat control was set accordingly. At high altitude (I live at about 5000ft) the self cleaning mode will exceed the temperature the oven was programmed to reach to achieve proper cleaning (your local physics professor can explain why). The thermostat will irrevocably shut down the oven at this point to prevent any damage. Your beautiful, expensive, and well equipped oven has just been rendered completely useless! Oh, it's perfectly clean, but you will not be using that particular oven until the service company comes out (the other oven will work fine). F&P was very helpful in getting a technician out to diagnose this problem as quickly as possible. The new, upgraded-for-high-altitude kit was ordered and shipped promptly, but the entire process still took about 10 days. Since this initial repair, the oven has failed its cleaning cycle six additional times, requiring innumerable service calls and repairs; the last two failed cleanings are on a brand new oven that F&P was convinced would fix the problem. F&P is sympathetic but that isn't producing a lasting repair (I'm on my third oven). At this point, and without evidence to the contrary, I have little faith that F&P is able to repair the problem at this time. So, bottom line, DO NOT buy this oven if you live at high altitude. And if you live at a more normal altitude, be sure to test the self clean mode, just to be safe. It's possible the newer ovens still have some unexplained overhearting issue unrelated to the altitude--an issue no one has been able to remedy to date.