but... how many of us can put 12 gallons/year through a single model!? I didn't burn half that much wth all my models combined flying every free chance I got this year.

and second, there is no way lipos in this application will get 500 cycles. I use lipos exclusively for my micro helis and indoor flyers, but they do not hold up to the 500 cycles/2 years rating. 1-1.5 years and 150-200 cycles under heavy use is much more accurate. (I have never even seen a lipo/liion cell phone hold up to that rating before the battery starts to fade!)