On the topic of R2 corners...
I learned R2 (in late 2008) mostly because...
1. At the time there weren't as many great resources for comms/3style/BH out there.
2. OP corners got boring - R2 seemed more fun!
Now that there are more accessible resources for learning the most advanced method, R2 isn't really worth your time to switch to. If you actually want to start to get more serious with bld and learn a faster execution method for corners, it's probably best to use your time making the switch to 3style/comms/BH.
Also I think it's safe to say that a switch from OP to 3OP corners would be going a step backwards. Having to memorize both the orientation and permutation of pieces, and then having to orient and permute them separately is more work than is necessary.
As daunting as it may seem at first, comms start to make sense with practice. Try to find a comfortable learning pace to get through the cycles. You don't have to learn them all at once. You can work at it gradually! Start with a few cases and try to incorporate them into your solves alongside your old corner method. It might be useful to have a list that another blder has made at hand. You could use that list to cross-check solutions for cycles that you come up with, and in doing so perhaps learn more efficient or finger-trick friendly ways to construct them. It might also be useful for checking out solutions to tricky cases. Also, make sure to force yourself to use the comms that you've learned in your solves. It may slow you down initially, but it should pay off in the long run.