MD500 driver
Here in UK there is a massive difference in fuel cost
Avgas is £ 1.80 a litre R44 uses about 75 litres an hour so £ 135 an hour or $ 210
Jet fuel is £ .60p litre 500E uses about 120 litres an hour so £ 78 per hour or $120 an hour. Add to this the 500 goes about 20% faster the difference becomes even greater generally reckon on about £ 65 an hour.
Have always sold a 500 for more than purchased ( sold 8 of them I have owned ) which you can't say for a Robinson product, but to be fair never purchased a new one Granted maintenance will be more expensive on any turbine
Suppose it is horses for courses !