I would say during the break in you definitely need a starter. The 1.60 was pretty stiff when it was new. I still need a starter to crank mine. It starts easily with a starter, but I have to go through a priming ritual with the starter before I light the glow plug. Once the glow lighter is on it will usually fire up pretty easily...

The thing you have to watch is the engine can hit REALLY hard when it fires. I was taught by EHFAI to spin the engine up with the starter and then after its spinning turn the glow lighter on to minimize the pop. I check my spinner frequently as well as the prop nut and the exhaust system as the jar from the initial start seems to loosen things up after 10 flights or so.

Thats my personal experience.