I probably simplified things a little and I guess what I would do is have the routine that looks at the current instrument settings, also set the "Last" values so that would solve the first iteration problem. Instead of using all of those "Last" controls, I would probably just define a front panel cluster with those elements in it and wire that to the initial bundle by name function. I try to use the Bundle/Unbundle by Name functions almost exclusively. Less chance of wiring to the wrong element, you can update only a single element, and they're self documenting.
