TL Darwins the place for you mate!
Frangtang - you did the conversion prior to the JAR? Was it hard? I'd be interested if you could still do it like that -ie 2 week brush up course.
Ang/Ash I think the hours do make a difference. I would not be able to do my current job efficiently with 200 hrs. Back then I was lacking in a lot of areas. The same is true now - have a lot to learn before I step up to the next level. There are somethings that just come with experience. You just don't have to think as hard.
What the 200 guy does offer (in many cases) is an enthusiasm second to none for a job on a 172. The 500-1000 hr guy is looking to move on from that sort of position.
So what you have over experience is enthusiasm. Thats your selling point. Good luck.
