3a/3c can produce some really good bucks from time to time. My cousin killed a 211" stud in 3a/3c about 8-9 years ago and lots of other great bucks have been taken since then. No, it is not the strip and does not produce a large quantity of really big deer, but it has loads of access and does produce quality deer.
If you are a nonresident and don't know the unit very well I would suggest an outfitter. I lived in 3a/3c for the first 22 years of my life and feel like I know the unit pretty well. With that said, I have lived away from Arizona for so long now that I would personally get an outfitter if I drew a 3a/3c tag.
Koury Guide Service (Shane Koury - Show Low, AZ) and Burnt Timber Outfitters (Daniel Franco - Heber, AZ) are the only two outfitters that you should ever consider for any tag in 3a/3c period. Shane was my wrestling coach and Daniel goes to church with my inlaws. Both are absolute killers and the best chance you will have a big respectable buck. One thing that is important about 3a/3c is being willing to eat your tag and pass up marginal deer. These type of hunters tend to kill the best bucks. It comes down to covering the numbers and being willing to let the 160-175 bucks you see walk.
Just depends on what you want. You will probably be able to pull it twice before you ever pull the strip once so that is a plus.