In another life, I was a CFS instructor and carried out a humongous amount of EOLs. We also taught instructors how to get out of mishandled autos. Experienced pilots often made the biggest mistakes that tested those skills to the limit. THAT is why we should not do full EOLs in expensive police/AA helicopters, we would end up bending them. Remember that a successful real EOL is one that the crew survive, even with a trashed helicopter.
I use "that" simulator every 6 months and can say with confidence that it is very realistic for autos and emergency training. It is cheaper than the aircraft I believe.
As for the 500-600' comments, well........... The TFOs said that I flew lower than most pilots, but 5-600 were certainly not my normal heights. The spotterscope worked best around 900-1000'.