I've trained two pilots now that have dropped HX50 deposits, both are really smart people with little mechanical knowledge completely convinced by the marketing.
I know a few who are in industry or private existing R44 owners. I think what you're seeing is a new market emerge. People who wouldn't have otherwise bought a heli at all, now have a reasonable sub $1m machine that doesn't cost $400k every 12 years. As Hill describes (taking a swipe at Robinson), his market opens up to "People who can afford the capital cost of a helicopter, but who can't afford to lose it". 1000 (paid deposit) orders proves he's onto something...